Pontypool 39 Bridgend 14

Pooler’s dominant second half display overcame tenacious Bridgend

Pontypool welcomed traditional rivals Bridgend to Pontypool Park on Easter Saturday in the Indigo Premiership, aiming to gain revenge from the 27-23 defeat at the Dunraven Brewery Field in November, writes Ray Ruddick. After a very tight first half, the home side went up a gear and dominated the second period to register an impressive bonus-point win.

Before kick-off a minute’s applause took place for former second row Roger Williams, who made around 220 appearances from 1967 to 1973, and died in early March aged 81, and for Gwyllym Williams, a life-long supporter, a volunteer for many years and a former scout for Pooler’s late, great coach Ray Prosser back in the 1970s and 1980s, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 89.

Bridgend kicked off attacking the scoreboard end of the ground on a fine and mild early spring afternoon, with Pontypool playing in their changed strip of predominantly black. In the fourth minute there was a scrum inside Pooler’s 22 on Bridgend’s left. The scrum collapsed and Pooler were penalised. The visitors kicked for the left corner and, from the ensuing driving lineout, hooker Evan Yardley scored a try which outside half Jamin Hodgkins converted (0-7). Six minutes later Bridgend were penalised for offside deep inside their 22. Pooler’s young scrum half Morgan Lloyd took a quick tap and Marcus Jones scored a try, 15 metres in from the right corner. Matthew Jarvis converted (7-7). In scoring the try, Jones took a knock to his right knee and was helped off the field. He was replaced by debutant Harry Jarvis.

In the 22^nd minute, the visitors were guilty of a high tackle in front of their posts and Matthew Jarvis put his side in front with a successful shot at goal (10-7). The rest of this tight first half was evenly contested and there was no further score, so Pooler went into the break with a slender three-point lead. Half-time score – Pontypool 10 Bridgend 7.

In the second minute of the second period the Ravens were guilty of holding on at a ruck, 25 metres from their goal line in midfield, so up stepped Matthew Jarvis to kick Pooler further ahead with his second penalty goal of the match (13-7). In the 50^th minute Pontypool were on the attack deep inside the visitors’ 22 and, after several drives towards the Bridgend goal line, veteran second row Ashley Sweet managed to get the ball down for a try to the right of the posts and Matthew Jarvis added a further two points from the tee (20-7). Five minute later, the hosts were guilty of not releasing in a tackle, 25 metres from their goal line to the right of the posts but the attempt at goal went wide. Pooler then made a couple of replacements as Dan Hill took over from Lewis Johnson in the second row and Adam Stratton was replaced by Callum Davies in the back row.

In the 68^th minute Pooler were testing the visitors’ defence with play inside Bridgend’s 22. The ball eventually reached Morgan Lloyd who scored a try, 15 metres in from the right corner. This score was converted by Matthew Jarvis (27-7). With about ten minutes remaining Marc Thomas made way for Sam Cochrane at loose head prop for the home side. A minute later, the impressive Mike Herbert made a break from a ruck in midfield near Bridgend’s 10-metre line. He drew his man inside the 22 and gave the scoring pass to centre Joel Mahoney who dived over to the left of the posts for his team’s bonus-point try. Matthew Jarvis added the extras (34-7). Pooler made a couple more changes with Matthew Flanagan replacing Morgan Lloyd and Scott Matthews made way for Will Gregory. With a couple of minutes left, Pontypool had a throw in to a lineout close to the visitors’ line following a Pooler penalty and, in a pre-planned, training ground move, hooker Sam Scarfe dotted down in the right corner for an unconverted try (39-7). However Bridgend replied in the 82^nd minute with the last move of the game which started around half way and full back Edd Howley scored a consolation try under the posts which Jamin Hodgkins converted. Final score – Pontypool 39 Bridgend 14.

This was an impressive performance by Pontypool against a Bridgend side that were difficult to break down. Pontypool played some good rugby and took charge the second half so well done them. There was an improvement in discipline and they took their chances when on offer, as both sides contributed to an entertaining encounter. The next Indigo Premiership match for Pooler will be on Saturday when they welcome RGC 1404, who will make the long trip from North Wales to Pontypool Park, kick-off 2.30pm.

Pontypool: Matt Bancroft, Marcus Jones (replaced by Harry Jarvis), Pat Lewis, Joel Mahoney, Mathew Powell, Matthew Jarvis, Morgan Lloyd (replaced by Matthew Flanagan), Marc Thomas (replaced by Sam Cochrane), Sam Scarfe, Kelvyn Williams (replaced by Ollie Drake), Lewis Johnson (replaced by Dan Hill), Ashley Sweet, Mike Herbert, Adam Stratton (replaced by Callum Davies) and Scott Matthews (captain, replaced by Will Gregory).

Bridgend: Edd Howley, Iwan Griffiths, Stuart Floyd Ellis, Tommy Morgan, Caine Woolerton (replaced by Mike Powell), Jamin Hodgkins, Chris Williams (replaced by Callaghan Smith), Phil Price (replaced by Harry Olding), Evan Yardley (replaced by Gareth Harvey), Matholwch Iorwerth Scott (replaced by Liam Tobias), Hemi Barnes, Jack Pope (replaced by Kyle Harris), Alfie Llewellyn (replaced by Jo Clarke), Iestyn Merriman (replaced by Dafi Davies) and Jordan Collier.