Pooler shade Wizards in a 13-try see-saw extravaganza

For the third time of trying, Pontypool welcomed traditional rivals and old friends Aberavon to Pontypool Park for the twice postponed Super Rygbi Cymru match, writes Ray Ruddick. The original fixture was back in November but was called off and the re-arranged game was planned for Friday 21 February but a late very heavy downpour made the pitch unplayable as the game was called off about an hour or so before the scheduled kick-off. So to Saturday’s match and, in a see-saw game with the lead changing hands several times, it was Pontypool who managed to sneak the win in an entertaining encounter.

Pontypool kicked off attacking the scoreboard end on a fine, dry and pleasant afternoon. The opening exchanges were even then, in the 13^th minute, Pooler kicked ahead and took play into Aberavon’s 22 with home number eight Morgan Allen taking the scoring pass when he reached out and placed the ball over the goal line for a try wide out on the left. Outside half Kieran Meek slotted a fine conversion (7-0). In the 27^th minute Pooler loose head prop Sam Cochrane was shown the yellow card for an offence at a maul near the home goal line. Debutant George Tuckley then temporarily replaced flanker Scott Matthews for front row cover. Five minutes later the Wizards opened their account with a try near the posts by flanker James Clegg and outside half Charlie Thomas converted (7-7). A minute later Pooler replied with a lovely try by left wing Marcus Jones to the left of the posts after some great support play and handling. Kieran Meek obliged from the tee (14-7).

In the 39^th minute back came Aberavon when scrum half Ellis Horgan nipped over for an unconverted try from close range, wide out on the right (14-12). Seven minutes later Pontypool had a scrum feed near the visitors’ line and, after a powerful drive from the Pooler pack, Morgan Allen scored a try, 10 metres in from the right corner. The conversion attempt struck the near upright (19-12). In the 12^th minute of injury time at the end of the first half, Aberavon squeezed over for a try in the right corner by right wing Frankie Jones. The conversion failed. Half-time score – Pontypool 19 Aberavon 17.

Five minutes into the second period the Wizards took the lead with a corner try, and bonus point, by Frankie Jones, converted by Charlie Thomas with a good kick (19-24). Five minutes later Pontypool drew level with their bonus-point try by tight head prop Kelvyn Williams when he barged over from close range 5 metres in from the left corner, following a powerful forward drive. Meek’s conversion attempt again hit the near upright (24-24). In the 55^th minute a lovely dummy by Charlie Thomas put his captain and full back Joe Gage over for a try under the posts and Thomas himself converted to put the Wizards back in front (24-31). Pontypool then made two changes – right wing Ioan Duggan made way for Mathew Powell and Mike Herbert took over from second row Ieuan Jones.

Just before the hour mark home full back Walker Price rounded off a great move with some good inter-passing when he scored a try, 10 metres in from the right corner. Kieran Meek added the extras to bring the scores level again (31-31). In the 62^nd minute Pooler flanker Callum Davies took a knock and was replaced by Ryan Jones. Four minutes later and Pontypool were penalised for not rolling away at a ruck, 20 metres from their goal line in front of the posts and replacement Ed Dunford put the visitors ahead once more with a successful shot at goal (31-34).

In the 70^th minute Pontypool were on the attack deep inside Aberavon’s 22. Morgan Lloyd gathered the ball from a ruck, dummied and dived over for a try, 10 metres in from the right corner. This score was converted by Kieran Meek as Pooler regained the lead (38-34). Sam Cochrane was then replaced by George Tuckley and three minutes later Lewis Bates took over from Amosa Nove in the centre for the home side. Back came the visitors and in the 74^th minute regained the lead once more when play was inside Pontypool’s 22 with Aberavon attacking. The Wizards grubber-kicked through and the ball went over the goal line so it was a race to the touchdown and Aberavon left wing Cory Lewis-Jenkins just managed to get to the ball first and scored a try in the left corner. The conversion attempt struck the upright, for the third time in the game but Aberavon took a one-point lead going into the final moments of a gripping Super Rygbi Cymru clash (38-39). However Pontypool had the final say when, in the 79^th minute all-action flanker Scott Matthews burrowed over from close range to score the match-winning try in the right corner. Just for good measure, Kieran Meek slotted another great conversion (45-39). There was still some injury time to play but Pontypool’s game management was sound and they held on for well-earned and well-deserved win. Final score – Pontypool 45 Aberavon 39.

This was a much needed win for Pontypool in their quest to secure fifth spot in the table. Both sides contributed to a very enjoyable afternoon’s entertainment, with no less than 13 tries scored, so well done to all the players and congratulations to Pooler on their victory against a very good Aberavon side. Pontypool’s next match will be on Friday 14 March when they made the short trip to Newport Stadium to take on Newport in the final round of the Super Rygbi Cymru Cup competition, kick-off at 7.30pm.

Pontypool: Walker Price, Ioan Duggan (replaced by Mathew Powell), Amosa Nove (replaced by Lewis Bates), Joel Mahoney (captain), Marcus Jones, Kieran Meek, Morgan Lloyd, Sam Cochrane (replaced by George Tuckley), Sam Scarfe, Kelvyn Williams, Ieuan Jones (replaced by Mike Herbert), Dan Hill, Scott Matthews, Callum Davies (replaced by Ryan Jones) and Morgan Allen.

Aberavon: Joe Gage (captain), Cory Lewis-Jenkins, Brad Roderick, Sam Jardine, Frankie Jones, Charlie Thomas, Ellis Horgan, Jordan Walters, Ellis Major, Morgan James, Ross Fox, Shay Smallman, James Clegg, Gwilym Evans and Ben Gregory. Replacements: Scott Whitlock, Ed Dunford, Harrison Doe, Charlie Herdman, Connor Thomas, Louis Fletcher, Jack Beazer and Lewis Marsh.