Pooler in comfortable win over Beddau

For Pontypool’s final home game of the season, they welcomed Beddau to a very wet Pontypool Park under the floodlights on Friday evening in the WRU Admiral National Championship, writes Ray Ruddick. It was Pontypool who obtained the try-bonus point before half-time but full credit to Beddau for their grit and determination, as they never gave up and kept going until the final whistle.

Beddau kicked off attacking the bandstand end of the ground with Pontypool wearing their changed strip of blue jerseys. In the sixth minute home number eight Garin Price took the ball at pace on Beddau’s 10-metre line, pierced the visitors’ defensive line and galloped 40 metres to score a try under the posts. Outside half Matthew Jarvis slotted the conversion (7-0). Five minutes later a powerful run by Pooler’s right wing Mathew Powell took play deep into Beddau’s 22 and, as he was tackled, he managed to offload to the supporting Duan Thomas for the centre to cross for a try near the posts. Matthew Jarvis converted to register his 400^th point for the club (14-0). Half way through the first period, play was deep inside Beddau’s 22 and, after several drives towards the visitors’ goal line, home scrum half Morgan Lloyd picked up from the base of a ruck, dummied to pass and dived over for a try, 5 metres in from the right corner. The conversion went narrowly wide (19-0).

In the 27^th minute Pooler’s left wing Amosa Nove made a break on the left flank and took play deep into Beddau territory. The ball was eventually released and play went right for Mathew Powell to score the bonus-point try, 10 metres in from the right corner. Matthew Jarvis’ fine conversion was his 150^th for the club, another milestone for this highly consistent outside half, who possesses a great all-round game (26-0). Six minutes later Pontypool were on the attack again as centre Pat Lewis took the ball on the burst and scored a try near the posts. Once again Matthew Jarvis added the extra two points from the tee (33-0). Then five minutes before half time, Garin Price took a knock to the head and had to leave the field with a head wound, but thankfully nothing too serious, and was replaced by Callum Davies. Half time score – Pontypool 33 Beddau 0.

In the 52^nd minute a lovely break from a scrum near Beddau’s 10-metre line by Morgan Lloyd made 30 metres and the young scrum half passed to Duan Thomas to secure his brace with a try under the posts and the club’s 150^th league try scored this season. Matthew Jarvis converted (40-0). Pooler’s tight head prop Kelvyn Williams then made way for Tom Piper. On the hour a great break by Matthew Jarvis split the visitors’ defence and the ball reached full back Huw Anderson for the youngster to dive over in the left corner. Matthew Jarvis converted with a superb kick (47-0). That was Jarvis’ last action as he was then replaced by Dai Langdon, with Peter Lloyd passing the hooking duties over to Aneurin Jenkins and Owain Leonard taking over from Morgan Lloyd, who had a fine game.

With 13 minutes remaining Pooler broke from deep and, after some great handling, Amosa Nove took the scoring pass to touch down near the posts. Replacement Dai Langdon added the extras (54-0). In the 70^th minute Pooler’s loose head prop Sam Cochrane left the field and Kelvyn Williams returned. After 75 minutes Pontypool were on the attack and flanker Adam Stratton scored a try from close range, 10 metres in from the left corner and Dai Langdon slotted a fine conversion. Final score – Pontypool 61 Beddau 0.

It was a game of few penalties so well done to both sides for their disciplined performances. Congratulations to Pontypool for another good showing and for securing another bonus-point victory to edge closer to obtaining promotion to the Premiership. Pooler have four games remaining, all away, starting with the return match with Beddau at Mount Pleasant Park on Wednesday 10 May, kick-off 7.30pm. Then on Saturday 13 May Pontypool travel to the capital and the challenge of Cardiff Metropolitan University at Cyncoed with a 2.30pm kick-off. On Tuesday 16 May Pooler face Ystrad Rhondda at Gelligaled Park in a re-match of the WRU Championship Cup Final, kick-off 7.30pm and the final match of the campaign will be on Saturday 20 May when Pontypool visit Ynysydarren Ground to take on Ystalyfera, kick-off 2.30pm.

Pontypool: Huw Anderson, Mathew Powell, Pat Lewis, Duan Thomas, Amosa Nove, Matthew Jarvis (replaced by Dai Langdon), Morgan Lloyd (replaced by Owain Leonard), Sam Cochrane (replaced by the returning Kelvyn Williams), Peter Lloyd (replaced by Aneurin Jenkins), Kelvyn Williams (replaced by Tom Piper), Lance Randall, Adam Brown, Mike Herbert (captain), Adam Stratton and Garin Price (replaced by Callum Davies).

Beddau: Cody Baker, Ewan Roberts, Cameron Ellis, Sam Edwards, Fin Baker, Adam Ashford, Cameron Evans, Mason Morgan, Lloyd James, Ben Lee, Liam Jones, Lloyd Evans, Lewis Jones, Jordan Goodwin (captain) and Dylan Williams. Replacements – Joe Page, Josh Thomas, Sam Tiley, James Murray and Ben Griffiths.