Pooler’s hard-fought win at Bridgend after slow start

Pontypool travelled along the M4 on Saturday to take on traditional rivals Bridgend at the Dunraven Brewery Field in the new Super Rygbi Cymru and came away with a narrow but well-deserved victory in an entertaining encounter, writes Ray Ruddick. Both sides lost their opening league games of the season so were looking for that confidence-boosting first win and both tried to play open, expansive rugby. The sizable crowd witnessed a 9-try feast with Pooler shading their hosts 5-4 on try count in a very close contest.

Bridgend kicked off defending the car park end of the ground on a dry afternoon, after the previous 24 hours or so saw some heavy rainfall. Bridgend fielded the ball from the kick-off and within 40 seconds opened the scoring when number eight Jordan Collier crossed for a try near the posts, catching Pooler off-guard. Outside half slotted the easy conversion to put the hosts on the front foot (7-0). Then in the ninth minute the Ravens extended their lead when play was inside Pooler’s 22 and the home side were putting their visitors under pressure. The ball reached full back Edd Howley who touched down for an unconverted try, 15 metres in from the left corner (12-0).

Half way through the first period, play was in the Bridgend half when Pooler were awarded a penalty. They kicked to the left corner and from a line out in a pre-planned move, hooker Sam Scarfe received the ball back from the line and scored a try in the corner. The difficult conversion attempt went narrowly wide so Pooler were back in the game after a shocking start (12-5). Seven minutes later Pontypool were again on the attack deep inside the home 22 and eventually flanker and captain Mike Herbert barged over for a try from close range to the right of the posts. Outside half Kieran Meek converted to bring the scores level (12-12). Then in the 39^th minute Pontypool took the lead for the first time in the match when play was inside the Ravens 22 and the referee playing a Pontypool advantage, the visitors spun the ball right for young wing Ioan Duggan to squeeze over in the corner for an unconverted try – his first for the club. Half time score – Bridgend 12 Pontypool 17.

In the second minute of the second half Bridgend hooker Corey Lewis was sin-binned for an offence near the half way line. Then in the 53^rd minute Pooler loose head prop Sam Cochrane also saw yellow after Pooler had given away several penalties in quick succession. Two minutes later Bridgend scored their third try of the game when play was inside Pooler’s 22 and centre Ryan Wilkins gathered and scored a try near the uprights after a neat kick through. This score was converted by Luke Price for the Ravens to re-take the lead (19-17). Ieuan Jones then replaced Mike Herbert for Pooler. Just before the hour mark Pontypool were awarded a penalty in midfield inside Bridgend’s half. They kicked to the right corner and after another pre-planned move at the lineout, the ball was thrown to Kelvyn Williams at the front and he passed inside to number eight Scott Matthews who burst through a gap in the line out to score Pooler’s bonus-point try, 10 metres in from the corner. The conversion attempt failed but took Pontypool back into the lead (19-22).

In the 64^th minute Pontypool centre Joel Mahoney was yellow carded for not retreating 10 metres after a quick tap penalty. Pooler then made several changes with Amosa Nove, Dylan Davies, Kyan Best and Evan Minto taking over from Ioan Duggan, scrum half Matthew Flanagan, Sam Cochrane and Scott Matthews respectively. With around seven minutes to play, Bridgend scored their bonus-point try when replacement Alfie Llewellyn touched down for a try to the right of the posts and Luke Price added the extras to take the home side into a four-point lead (26-22). Pooler made their final two changes when Harry Drane took over from tight head prop Kelvyn Williams and Sam Scarfe made way for Connor Chapman in the middle of the Pooler front row. In the 77^th minute Bridgend second row Dylan Burrows was sin-binned for an offence inside Bridgend’s 22. Pontypool opted for a scrum and the ball went out to centre Pat Lewis who powered his way over the goal line for a try, 15 metres in from the left corner. Kieran Meek obliged from the tee to restore Pooler’s lead once again (26-29). So it was all to play for in the final few minutes as Bridgend threw everything at Pontypool but the visitors’ defence held firm and Pontypool recorded a rare win at the Dunraven Brewery Field. Final score – Bridgend 26 Pontypool 29.

This was an exciting and enthralling clash with the lead changing hands no less than six times in a see-saw battle. It was a game played in great spirits and the result was in doubt right up until the final whistle. Well done to Pontypool for keeping out Bridgend towards the end of the game as they held on for an important away victory. Pooler’s next game will be on Saturday when they make the long journey to North Wales and to Stadiwm CSM to take on RGC 1404, kick off will be at 2.30pm.

Bridgend: Edd Howley, McCauley Rowley, Joe Gatt, Ryan Wilkins, Tom Florence, Luke Price, Harvey Nash, Harry Olding, Corey Lewis, Liam Tobias, Barnaby Waddell, Dylan Burrows, Kyle Harris, Zac O’Driscoll (captain) and Jordan Collier. Replacements: Evan Yardley, Alex George, Marley Lovell, Alfie Llewellyn, Thomas Jevons, Callaghan Smith, Ben Burnell and Jake Thomas.

Pontypool: Huw Anderson, Ioan Duggan (replaced by Amosa Nove), Pat Lewis, Joel Mahoney, Mathew Powell, Kieran Meek, Matthew Flanagan (replaced by Dylan Davies), Sam Cochrane (replaced by Kyan Best), Sam Scarfe (replaced by Connor Chapman), Kelvyn Williams (replaced by Harry Drane), Morgan Allen, Dan Hill, Mike Herbert (captain, replaced by Ieuan Jones), Callum Davies (replaced by Adam Stratton) and Scott Matthews (replaced by Evan Minto).