Rapid Rosser stars as Pooler ease to comfortable victory at Bedwas

Pontypool made the relatively short trip to Bridge Field to face Bedwas in the WRU Admiral National Championship and came away with all five points, thanks in part to speedy wing Ewan Rosser who bagged himself a try-hat trick, writes Ray Ruddick. This result maintains Pooler’s perfect record of eight wins out of eight with a bonus point gained in every game. However, they are still two points behind leaders Neath, with a game in hand over the Welsh All Blacks and eleven points ahead of Bargoed, having played the same number of games.

Bedwas kicked off attacking the clubhouse end of the ground on a cold but fine afternoon and, within two minutes Pooler took the lead. Pontypool ran the ball out of defence starting outside their 22. Evergreen full back Geraint Walsh made a lovely break and took play inside Bedwas’ half and then passed out to right wing Ewan Rosser for the youngster to sprint 25 metres to score a try, 10 metres in from the right corner. Outside half Matthew Jarvis converted with a fine kick (0-7). Three minutes later the visitors were caught offside in front of their posts, 20 metres out and home outside half Lloyd Wilkins cut the deficit with a successful shot at goal (3-7). In the 9th minute Pooler were on the attack inside Bedwas’ 22. A short pass to Joel Mahoney found the centre in space and he glided over for a try between the posts. This score was easily converted by Matthew Jarvis (3-14).

In the 23rd minute Bedwas were on the attack on their left and inside Pooler’s 22. The ball was recycled and went right for wing Hamish Anderson to cross in the corner for a try which was converted by Lloyd Wilkins (10-14). On the half hour mark Pontypool’s powerful driving maul took play into Bedwas’ 22 on Pooler’s left. The ball went right and Joel Mahoney made a break. He popped it to Mathew Powell coming off his wing and scored a try, 10 metres in from the right corner. Matthew Jarvis again added the extras (10-21). On the stroke of half time Pooler had a scrum feed near the home goal line and 5 metres in from the right touchline. The Pontypool eight drove their opponents back and No 8 Garin Price touched down for his side’s bonus-point try. Matthew Jarvis slotted his fourth conversion of the afternoon to make the half time score Bedwas 10 Pontypool 28.

Pooler flanker Mike Herbert suffered a dead leg in the first half and was replaced by Ieuan Jones at the start of the second period. It didn’t take long for Ieuan Jones to get into the action as in the first minute he made a great break, galloping along the right flank. He found Ewan Rosser in support who dived over in the corner for his second try of the match. The conversion just failed (10-33). In the 49^th minute centre Deon Smith, who took a knock, and scrum half Owain Leonard were replaced by Dai Langdon and debut-making Dai Jones, respectively, for the visitors.

Five minutes later Pooler were in control of a maul inside the home 22. Loose head prop Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths handed the ball to Dai Jones and he, in turn, drew his man and put rapid Ewan Rosser clear to score his hat trick of tries. Matthew Jarvis converted with a great kick (10-40). Pooler then made two more changes with Kyan Best taking over from Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths and Sam Scarfe coming on for tight head prop Kelvyn Williams. Peter Lloyd, who started at hooker, went to his usual position of tight head prop and Sam Scarfe slotted into the middle of the new Pooler front row. In the third minute of injury time and with the final move of the game, Pooler had a scrum inside the home 22 in midfield and drove the Bedwas eight back. Ieuan Jones picked up from the base and made ground. He passed inside to his captain and flanker Scott Matthews, who was making his 50^th appearance for the club, and he scored near the uprights. Matthew Jarvis added a final two points from the tee to round of a satisfying team performance. Final score – Bedwas 10 Pontypool 47.

This was another consistent performance by Pontypool who were much stronger than their opponents in every aspect, but they could have scored several more tries, possibly leaving 20 plus points on the pitch. However, Bedwas never gave up and tested Pooler’s defence but the visitors were equal to the task. Pooler march on and next Saturday they welcome Narberth to Pontypool Park, kick-off 2.30pm.

Bedwas: Iwan Burgwin, Hamish Anderson, Jack Guy, Lewis Bowden, Aaron Billingham, Lloyd Wilkins, Callaghan Smith Ben Drew, Rhys Hutcherson, Ryan Thomas, Tom Chapman, Harry Oliver, Will Fishlock, Rhys Morgans and Dale Rogers (captain). Replacements: Kalum Philips, Rhys Jones, Jordan Hole, Matthew Bovington and James Hallett.

Pontypool: Geraint Walsh, Ewan Rosser, Deon Smith (replaced by Dai Langdon), Joel Mahoney, Mathew Powell, Matthew Jarvis, Owain Leonard (replaced by Dai Jones), Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths (replaced by Kyan Best), Peter Lloyd, Kelvyn Williams (replaced by Sam Scarfe), Adam Brown, Ashley Sweet, Scott Matthews (captain), Mike Herbert (replaced by Ieuan Jones) and Garin Price.

Referee: Mr John Darcy (Cardiff)