Tries by Pat Lewis (2) and Morgan Allen.
Conversion by Kieran Meek.
Penalties by Kieran Meek (2).
Tries by Joe Franchi and Dom Franchi.
Penalties by Gruff Tough (2).
Pooler topple table-toppers in festive Gwent derby
Ebbw Vale visited Pontypool Park on Saturday sitting at the top of the Super Rygbi Cymru table with only one defeat in their league campaign to date and proving to be the outstanding team in the first half of the season, writes Ray Ruddick. This Gwent derby fixture of over 150 matches goes back more than 120 years to the beginning of the 20th century, and the old Monmouthshire League. This game in December 2024 was just as keenly contested as those back then with Pontypool deservedly coming out on top on this occasion, in front of a good pre-Christmas crowd.
Ebbw Vale kicked off on a damp and breezy afternoon attacking the scoreboard end of the ground, with Pontypool wearing their changed strip of predominantly black. Ebbw, with the wind in their favour, started the stronger and in the 13th minute opened the scoring when Pooler strayed offside, 20 metres from their line in midfield and visiting outside half Gruff Tough slotted the kick at goal (0-3). For the next quarter-of-an-hour or so, there was nothing much to choose between the teams as they seemed to cancel each other out and then, in the 28th minute, play was near the Steelmen’s 22. Home flanker Scott Matthews made a telling break opening up the Ebbw defence and passed to young scrum half Morgan Lloyd who then gave the inside scoring pass to Pat Lewis as the full back touched down 20 metres in from the left corner. Outside half Kieran Meek converted (7-3). Three minutes later the visitors hit back with an unconverted try by hooker and captain Joe Franchi from a powerful driving maul, 10 metres in from the right corner (7-8). Just before the interval Pooler were guilty of handling in a ruck in front of their posts and Gruff Tough kicked the penalty goal to give the Steelmen a slight lead at the break. Half time score – Pontypool 7 Ebbw Vale 11.
Pooler made a bright opening to the second half and in the fourth minute of the re-start the home side was testing Ebbw’s defence and eventually number eight Morgan Allen powered over from close range to score a try, 15 metres in from the left corner. The conversion attempt failed but Pontypool re-took the lead with a slender one point advantage (12-11). Five minutes later Scott Williams, the former Welsh international centre who turned out for Pontypool via the Dragons as he has been training with the region and looking to secure a short term contract with them, put in a lovely grubber kick from just inside Ebbw’s half which travelled parallel to the right touchline but stayed in play. Pat Lewis followed up and won the race to score his second try of the afternoon in the corner. The conversion attempt failed (17-11).
Just after the hour mark Pontypool made a couple of changes with Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, who was making a welcome return to action from a long term injury, made way for Kyan Best and Adam Stratton took over from Morgan Allen in the back row. In the 68th minute the visitors were penalise 6 metres inside their half, 15 metres in from touch on Pooler’s left and Kieran Meek struck the ball well as it sailed between the posts to give his side a nine-point cushion (20-11). Pooler made a further two changes when Scott Williams was replaced by Jordan Thomas and Mathew Powell took over from Marcus Jones on the left wing. Five minutes later and more Pooler replacements as Harry Drane came on for Kelvyn Williams at tight head prop and second row Ieuan Jones made way for Lewis Robey. In the 78th minute Morgan Lloyd was replaced by Owain Leonard. Five minutes into injury time and Ebbw were penalised, 15 metres from their line and slightly to the right of the posts and Kieran Meek kicked the goal (23-11). However a minute later Pooler tried to kick out of danger but it was charged down and centre Dom Franchi scored a try to the left of the posts but the conversion attempt went wide (23-16). There was still time left with Pooler on the attack with the loose ball going over the goal line and a race ensued. The ball eventually went over the dead ball line with claims it was deliberately knocked out by the hand of an Ebbw player and that a penalty try should be awarded. The referee, in consultation with his assistant, ruled otherwise and brought this Gwent derby battle to a close. Final score – Pontypool 23 Ebbw Vale 16.
Ebbw Vale just shaded the first half but Pontypool seemed to be in control during much of the second period. The wind was a factor and the Steelmen’s four-point lead with the elements in the first 40 minutes wasn’t enough as Pooler fought back to take the spoils. This was a very good all-round team effort and an excellent result for Pontypool against the league leaders in this hard fought encounter, so well done to all concerned. There is not long to wait for the reverse fixture as this coming Saturday it will be Ebbw’s turn to host Pontypool at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium (formerly known as Eugene Cross Park) for another mouth-watering holiday clash, kick off is the usual 2.30pm. Pontypool’s next home game is on Saturday 4 January 2025 when Carmarthen Quins will be the welcome visitors to Pontypool Park and the kick-off will be at the later time of 5.15pm as it will be televised live on S4C.
Pontypool: Pat Lewis, Walker Price, Joel Mahoney, Scott Williams (replaced by Jordan Thomas), Marcus Jones (replaced by Mathew Powell), Kieran Meek, Morgan Lloyd (replaced by Owain Leonard), Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths (replaced by Kyan Best), Sam Scarfe, Kelvyn Williams (replaced by Harry Drane), Ieuan Jones (replaced by Lewis Robey), Dan Hill, Scott Matthews, Mike Herbert (captain) and Morgan Allen (replaced by Adam Stratton).
Ebbw Vale: Matt Jones, Harry Rees-Weldon, Cameron Davies, Dom Franchi, Hamish Anderson, Gruff Tough, Rory Harries, Luke Garrett (replaced by Morgan Davies), Joe Franchi (captain, replaced by Ieuan Morris), Adam Court (replaced by Adam Williams), Dylan Bartlett, Curtis Gregory, Jack Pope (replaced by Ewan McIntyre), Sion Parry (replaced by Lewis Young) and Ryan Jenkins.