Both clubs in much needed work out in hastily arranged friendly

Pontypool United and Pontypool arranged a friendly match which took place at the Memorial Ground on Thursday evening to get some welcome match practice ahead of important matches for both clubs, writes Ray Ruddick.

Pontypool kicked off attacking Conway Road end of the ground, playing in their changed strip of blue shirts. The visitors opened the scoring in the 6th minute with a try by tight head prop Craig Price after a driving maul. Outside half Matthew Jones converted (7-0). Three minutes later Pooler were on the attack on their left. The ball went right and No 8 Brendan Lampitt was on hand to touch down for a try in the right corner. The conversion failed (12-0).

In the 22nd minute Pooler were testing the United defence inside the home 22. The ball went right, with centre Clayton Gullis, coming into the line at speed, and scoring a try near the posts. Matthew Jones converted (19-0). Just before the half hour mark Pooler were awarded a penalty in midfield, 35 metres from United’s goal line. The visitors kicked for the left corner and from the ensuing lineout and drive, second row Ben Egan scored a try, 15 metres in from the corner. Matthew Jones again slotted the conversion (26-0). With three minutes to go before half time Pooler scored again when centre Kieran Meek glided through the United defence and scored a try near the posts. Matthew Jones added the extras. Half time – Pontypool United 0 Pontypool 33.

Pontypool made many changes for the start of the second half to give every player a run out. In the 55th minute Pooler were attacking going through the phases inside United’s 22 and centre Ceri Morris crossed for a try under the posts. Matthew Lewis, who started at full back but moved to outside half in the second period, converted (40-0). Two minutes later, a great break by centre Joel Mahoney, who took the ball inside his half, wide out on the left, sprinted all the way to the goal line and touched down in the corner. Matthew Lewis kicked a fine conversion from wide out (47-0). In the 79th minute from a catch and drive at a lineout 15 metres from United’s goal line, scrum half Martin Luckwell profited from a powerful driving maul and scored the final try of the evening, 10 metres in from the right corner. The conversion attempt failed. Final score – Pontypool United 0 Pontypool 52.

It was a good run out for United and Pooler as neither have had many games since Christmas. Both clubs will be in action on Saturday 23 March with Pontypool United making the journey to Parc de Pugh to take on table-topping and unbeaten Brecon in Division One East. However Pontypool will be on WRU National Cup duty when they welcome Premiership outfit Bridgend to Pontypool Park for a quarter-final tie. Pooler will be looking to go one better than the previous two seasons when they were knocked out at the quarter final stage. Both games kick off at 2.30pm.

Pontypool United: Alex Gwatkin, Sam Watkins, Zac Takel, Joe Blackmore, Dan Knight, Sam Mills (captain), Liam Thomas, Richard Nash, Jack Gillard, Russell Beale, Scott Watkins, Phil Williams, Adam Stratton, Llewi Maclean and Jake Davies. Also played – Sam George (making his debut), George Collins, Ethan Edmunds, Lewis Ball, Richard Heydon, Lewis Pipe and Sione Tu’ipulotu.

Pontypool: Matthew Lewis, Jordan Thomas, Clayton Gullis, Kieran Meek, Rhdori Usher, Matthew Jones, Aaron Quick, Corey Hewlett, Alex Watkins, Craig Price, Ben Egan, Richard East, Scott Matthews, Rob Nash (captain) and Brendan Lampitt. Also played – Geraint Walsh, Lloyd Lewis, Lewis Prothero, Ceri Morris, Joel Mahoney, Martin Luckwell, Jamie Jeune, Ben Parry, Ollie Drake, Danny Hodge, Curtis Gregory, Mike Herbert and Ben Sparks.