Much improved Pooler showing as they gain revenge in bonus-point win

The previous Saturday saw Pontypool ship 7 tries and 61 points in a high-scoring defeat against RGC 1404 in North Wales but, with a much improved showing on Saturday in the return match with the Gogs at Pontypool Park, Pooler deservedly came away with a bonus-point victory in Super Rygbi Cymru, writes Ray Ruddick.

Pontypool kicked off attacking the scoreboard end of the ground on a fine, dry and pleasant early autumn afternoon. In the third minute RGC were guilty of a deliberate knock-on just outside their 22. Pooler kicked for the left corner and from the ensuing driving lineout, second row Ieuan Jones powered over for an unconverted try wide out (5-0). Three minutes later RGC replied with a try to the right of the uprights by flanker Ethan Fackrell, converted by outside half Billy McBryde (5-7). In the 13^th minute Pooler were caught offside inside their 22 and in front of the posts. Billy McBryde made no mistake in extending his side’s lead with the successful shot at goal (5-10). Pontypool’s response was immediate as within a minute impressive number eight Morgan Allen made a powerful run to take play into the visitors’ 22. The ball was recycled and second row Dan Hill drove over, with a little help from two of his fellow forwards, to score a try 15 metres in from the right corner. Outside half Kieran Meek added the extras to restore Pooler’s advantage (12-10).

Half way through the first half the North Walians were penalised at a ruck, 30 metres from their line in midfield and Kieran Meek slotted the goal (15-10). In the 25^th minute home scrum half Matthew Flanagan was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock on near the home 10-metre line, 5 metres in from touch on RGC’s left but the attempt at goal went wide. Just before the half-hour mark the visitors were penalised at a scrum, 35 metres from their goal line, 10 metres in on Pooler’s right but the shot at goal was off target. Then, three minutes later Pontypool were penalised at a ruck, 8 metres inside RGC’s half in midfield and up stepped full back Sam Earl-Jones who kicked a huge goal, as he did in the game at Stadiwm CSM the week before (15-13). With about five minutes remaining in the first period, Pontypool were on the attack inside the Gogs’ 22 and, after several drives towards the opposition goal line, hooker Connor Chapman barged over for a try, his first for the club, to the right of the uprights with Kieran Meek converting (22-13). On 40 minutes, play was inside RGC’s 22 with Pooler in possession on their right and the ball went left. It reached Joel Mahoney who took it on the burst and the centre crossed for his team’s bonus-point try under the posts. Kieran Meek converted to make the half-time score Pontypool 29 RGC 1404 13.

At the start of the second half, Pat Lewis replaced centre Amosa Nove for Pontypool. RGC started this half strongly and within two minutes scored their second try of the afternoon when captain and centre Danny Cross found a gap in the Pontypool defence near the home 10-metre line and he crossed for a try to the right of the posts. Billy McBryde kicked the conversion (29-20). In the 46^th minute loose head prop Kyan Best made way for Sam Cochrane. Six minutes later the visitors were guilty of not releasing on their 10-metre line in midfield and Kieran Meek added another three points from the tee (32-20).

In the last quarter there were many changes on both sides which disrupted the flow of the game. In the 64^th minute Harry Drane replaced Owain James at tight head prop and three minutes later wing Ioan Duggan and Ieuan Jones were replaced by Harri Ford and Buster Bodkin respectively for Pooler as Kieran Meek went to full back, Jordan Thomas to the right wing and Harri Ford slotted into his usual position of outside half. In the 76^th minute Pooler made a couple more replacements as Ryan Jones replaced Dan Hill and Lewis Ball took over from Connor Chapman, and three minutes later Matthew Flanagan made way for Archie Lloyd for Pontypool’s final change. In the first minute of injury time Pontypool were awarded a penalty, 5 metres inside RGC’s half and 10 metres in on Pooler’s right but the attempt at goal fell short. Five minutes later and deep into added time, RGC were guilty of an offence at a scrum, 8 metres inside the visitors’ half in midfield but another kick at goal went wide. Final score – Pontypool 32 RGC 1404 20.

This was a much better performance by Pontypool, probably their best of the season so far. There was a vast improvement in discipline and far less unforced errors, so the work during the week to right some of the wrongs last time out paid off. Well done to the coaching staff and the players for turning things around against a very useful RGC side. Pontypool’s next challenge in Super Rygbi Cymru will be on Saturday when they travel west along the M4 to take on Carmarthen Quins at Carmarthen Park. The next home game will be on Saturday 19 October and the eagerly-awaited derby with old rivals and near neighbours Newport when the Black-and-Ambers visit Pontypool Park for a mouth-watering clash. Kick-off for both games will be at 2.30pm.

Pontypool: Jordan Thomas, Ioan Duggan (replaced by Harri Ford), Joel Mahoney, Amosa Nove (replaced by Pat Lewis), Marcus Jones, Kieran Meek, Matthew Flanagan (replaced by Archie Lloyd), Kyan Best (replaced by Sam Cochrane), Connor Chapman (replaced by Lewis Ball), Owain James (replaced by Harry Drane), Ieuan Jones (replaced by Buster Bodkin), Dan Hill (replaced by Ryan Jones), Mike Herbert (captain), Adam Stratton and Morgan Allen.

RGC 1404: Sam Earl-Jones, Rhys Tudor (replaced by Delwyn Jones), Afon Bagshaw, Danny Cross (captain), Sam Stoddard (replaced by Harry Hughes), Billy McBryde, Connor Dever (replaced by Tudur Jones). Jessie Williams (replaced by Gareth Parry), Jac Petch-Jones (replaced by Osain Burt), Pedr Jones (replaced by Patrick Nelson), Billy McQueeney (replaced by Celt Ffransis-Roberts), Tal Taylor, Dan Owen (replaced by Jack Davies), Ethan Fackrell and Sam Williams.