Rampant Pooler prove too strong for hapless Trebanos

Pontypool welcomed Trebanos to stunning Pontypool Park, in its early autumn colours, in this WRU Admiral National Championship match as top took on bottom, writes Ray Ruddick, his 250^th Pooler match report. Pontypool played some entertaining, flowing rugby and knocked their opponents for six tries in each half.

Trebanos kicked off attacking the scoreboard end of the ground on a fine and dry afternoon. The early exchanges were even and it took until the 14^th minute for the deadlock to be broken when Trebanos strayed offside just inside their 22 in midfield. Pooler kicked for the right corner and, from the ensuing lineout, the home pack drove their opponents back for hooker Aneurin Jenkins to claim the first score of the game with a try on his debut, to the right of the posts. Outside half Matthew Jarvis converted (7-0). Three minutes later Pooler were guilty of the same offence on their 10-metre line, 5 metres in from the visitors’ right touchline and replacement Scott Hawkins, who came on for outside half Iestyn Scott having left the field with an arm injury, struck the ball sweetly as it sailed between the posts (7-3).

In the 22^nd minute a great break by Pooler skipper and flanker Mike Herbert, who was making his 50^th appearance for the club, pierced the Trebanos defence and took play inside the visitors’ 22. He offloaded to the supporting Aneurin Jenkins and he gave the scoring pass to Matthew Jarvis, who dotted the ball down 5 metres from the left corner and he duly converted with a great kick (14-3). Six minutes later some good handling by Pontypool, involving Garin Price and Amosa Nove, led to a try to the left of the posts by centre Deon Smith and Matthew Jarvis added the extras (21-3).

Five minutes before the interval, Pooler’s back row came to the fore when No 8 Ieuan Jones made a powerful break in midfield and passed to Mike Herbert to continue the momentum and then he offloaded to Adam Stratton who scored his side’s bonus-point try 15 metres in from the left corner. Matthew Jarvis once again obliged from the tee (28-3). Going into injury time Pooler scored their 5^th try of the half when wing Amosa Nove touched down 10 metres in from the left corner after some loose play. Matthew Jarvis converted (35-3). Tight head prop Tom Piper injured his leg and was replaced by Kelvyn Williams. With the last play of the first period, the initial break was made by young wing Ewan Rosser, who showed his pace along the right touchline, gave an inside pass to Matthew Jarvis who scored his second try under the posts and he added a further two points with his trusty right boot. Half time score – Pontypool 42 Trebanos 3.

In the second minute of the second half Pooler continued where they left off as Adam Stratton sprinted 25 metres and managed to score a try, and a brace for him, in the left corner following and interception, but was injured in the process and was replaced by Cameron Regan. Unusually Matthew Jarvis was off target with the conversion attempt (47-3). In the 48^th minute Pooler centre Dai Langdon intercepted a pass and raced 30 metres to score a try under the posts. Matthew Jarvis converted (54-3). In the 57^th minute Pooler were giving the ball plenty of air and were on the attack with Aneurin Jenkins scoring his second try of the game, 10 metres in from the left corner. Once again, Matthew Jarvis converted (61-3). Owain Leonard then replaced scrum half Dan Babos for the home side.

On the hour mark Ieuan Jones and Matthew Jarvis made way for Sam Scarfe and Joel Mahoney respectively for Pooler. Two minutes later play was deep inside Trebanos territory and the ball was released going left for wing Amosa Nove to power over for a try in the corner, his second of the afternoon. With Matthew Jarvis off the field, the kicking duties fell to Dai Langdon and he didn’t disappoint with a good conversion from wide out (68-3). Unfortunately Nove picked up a knock in the act of scoring and left the field so Matthew Jarvis returned. Five minutes before time Pooler had an attacking scrum five near the posts and replacement Cameron Regan picked up from the base and barged over for a try which was converted by Matthew Jarvis (75-3). In the 78^th minute second row Garin Price took the ball on the charge along the right touchline and galloped 40 metres for a try under the posts. Matthew Jarvis kicked his tenth conversion and amassed a match total of 30 points, which is five short of the club’s individual league record of 35 points, held by Lenny Woodard when he scored 7 tries against Treorchy at Pontypool Park on 2^nd May 2003. Just before the final whistle Deon Smith picked up a knock and was replaced by the returning Dan Babos. Final score – Pontypool 82 Trebanos 3.

This was another impressive performance by Pontypool with some good handling skills and they played with pace and confidence. Despite being heavily beaten, Trebanos never gave up and kept trying throughout the game, so well done to them for sticking at it. Next up for Pontypool is a trip to Margam Sports Ground to face Tata Steel on Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm.

Pontypool: Geraint Walsh, Ewan Rosser, Deon Smith (replaced by the returning Dan Babos), Dai Langdon, Amosa Nove (replaced by the returning Matthew Jarvis), Matthew Jarvis (replaced by Joel Mahoney), Dan Babos (replaced by Owain Leonard), Kyan Best, Aneurin Jenkins, Tom Piper (replaced by Kelvyn Williams), Garin Price, Ashley Sweet, Mike Herbert (captain), Adam Stratton (replaced by Cameron Regan) and Ieuan Jones (replaced by Sam Scarfe).

Trebanos: Willis Wood, Iestyn Lewis, Lloyd Jenkins, Steff Lewis, Ellis Evans, Iestyn Scott, Robert Jones, Aled Humphreys, James McCarthy, Dan Ovens, Cai Arnold, Joe Evans, Dylan Samuel, Casey Williams and Cam Loveys. Replacements: Aneurin Morgan, Ian Hilldrup, Chris Harris, Scott Hawkins and Rhys Harris.