Ystalyfera 0 Pontypool 7 (match abandoned after 32 minutes play due to injury)

Best wishes go to Arwel Thomas for a full recovery

Pontypool made the journey to Ynysydarren Park for the re-arranged Admiral WRU National Championship match against Ystalyfera but, sadly, the match had to be abandoned before half time due to a serious injury to a home player, writes Ray Ruddick.

Ystalyfera kicked off attacking the clubhouse end of the ground on a fine and dry but breezy day. In the eighth minute Pooler’s loose head prop Corey Hewlett sustained an injury and was replaced by Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths. Three minutes later and flanker Adam Stratton made way for Scott Matthews for the visitors. Then visiting left wing Amosa Nove made a powerful run, beating several defenders, but he was brought down just short of the goal line. Mistakes from both sides seem to dominate the first quarter as play was disjointed and they struggled to get any pattern or momentum.

Ystalyfera tested the Pontypool defence on several occasions, but Pooler was equal to the task, held firm and kept the home side out. Then, on the half hour, Pontypool won a lineout 10 metres from the home goal line and, from the driving maul, hooker Sam Scarfe scored a try 7 metres in from the corner. This was superbly converted by outside half Matthew Jarvis against the tricky wind (0-7).

After 32 minutes, Ystalyfera’s Arwel Thomas and Lloyd Lewis of Pontypool jumped for a high ball near the half way line but the home player seemed to land awkwardly and it looked quite serious. The medics rushed on and a stretcher was called for. However, they did not want to move the player due to the seriousness of his injury, so the players left the field and returned to the dressing rooms. The ambulance was called but it would be several hours before the ambulance personnel could attend. At that point, the referee abandoned the game. It is hoped that the game can be re-arranged before the end of the season.

Pontypool have played 769 games in the league since its inception at the beginning of the 1990-91 season and this is the first time a match has had to be abandoned.

Everyone at Pontypool RFC would like to pass on their very best wishes to Ystalyfera RFC and to Arwel Thomas for a complete and speedy recovery.

Pontypool: Pat Lewis, Lloyd Lewis, Duan Thomas, Kieran Meek, Amosa Nove, Matthew Jarvis, Zak Griffiths, Corey Hewlett (replaced by Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths), Sam Scarfe, Peter Lloyd, Garin Price, Ashley Sweet (captain), Mike Herbert, Adam Stratton (replaced by Scott Matthews) and Cameron Regan.