Pooler’s strong second half showing sinks Quins

Pontypool were back in league action on Saturday when they welcomed Carmarthen Quins to Pontypool Park for a Super Rygbi Cymru match on a pleasant early spring afternoon, writes Ray Ruddick. After a fairly even, very competitive first half, Pontypool impressed in the second period and dominated, scoring 24 unanswered points.

Carmarthen Quins kicked off attacking the scoreboard end of the ground with the conditions fine and dry and Pontypool playing in their changed strip of predominantly black. In the fifth minute Pontypool were on the attack inside Quins’ 22 and a powerful drive by the Pooler forwards resulted in a try wide out on the right by hooker Sam Scarfe. The conversion failed (5-0). Nine minutes later Pontypool were asking questions of the Quins’ defence and the pressure told when second row Buster Bodkin crashed over for his first try for the club from close range, to the left of the uprights. Outside half Kieran Meek converted (12-0). In the 18^th minute Quins replied with a try from a driving maul by hooker Lewis Morgan who touched down 15 metres in from the right corner but the conversion attempt was unsuccessful (12-5). Ten minutes later, he did the same thing from the same move, but this time he scored to the left of the posts and outside half Elis Price converted (12-12).

With just under ten minutes remaining in the first period, Carmarthen Quins were penalised at a ruck 30 metres from their goal line and to the left of the posts and Kieran Meek slotted the kick at goal (15-12). Then, in the 38^th minute play was inside Pooler’s 22 and the visitors were putting the home side under some pressure. Eventually loose head prop Rhys Fawcett scored a try from close range, 15 metres in from the right corner. The conversion attempt struck the far upright (15-17). In the third minute of added time, Quins were penalised for not releasing just inside their 22 in midfield and Kieran Meek put his side into a narrow interval lead with a successful shot at goal with the last action of a tight and hard-fought first half. Half-time score: Pontypool 18 Carmarthen Quins 17.

After five minutes of the restart, Pontypool made a couple of changes as Ieuan Jones took over from Buster Bodkin and flanker Ryan Jones was replaced by Morgan Allen. In the 49^th minute play was inside Quins’ 22 and, after several drives towards the goal line, Sam Scarfe scored his second try of the afternoon when he barged over under the posts and Kieran Meek added the extras (25-17). Loose head prop Kyan Best made way for George Tuckley and Amosa Nove took over from wing Ioan Duggan for the home side.

In the 67^th minute Pontypool broke from their own half using their backs and took play deep into Quins 22. The ball was recycled and scrum half Morgan Lloyd went blind and squeezed over in the left corner for an unconverted bonus-point try (30-17). Pooler made more changes with Harry Drane replacing tight head prop Kelvyn Williams and full back Walker Price made way for Jordan Thomas, and a little later Connor Chapman went on for Sam Scarfe. With about six minutes remaining Pooler had a scrum feed 10 metres from the Quins’ goal line. Morgan Allen picked up from the base and charged over for a try to the left of the posts which Kieran Meek converted (37-17). Then in the final minute Amosa Nove made a great break from near half way and he was brought down just before the goal line. Pooler got the ball back and Morgan Lloyd scored his second try of the game in the left corner. The conversion failed. Final score – Pontypool 42 Carmarthen Quins 17.

Pooler seemed to struggle to get any rhythm in the first forty minutes as Carmarthen Quins made it difficult for them and the visitors outscored their hosts by 3 tries to two but Pooler went into the interval just ahead. However, the second half was a different story as Pontypool upped the pace and intensity and scored a further four tries to run out comfortable winners in the end so well done to them on securing 6 league points. The next game for Pontypool is another trip to Newport and to Rodney Parade on Sunday 30 March (kick-off 2.30pm) for the return league encounter. Pooler were victorious 17-14 in the first clash of the season at Pontypool Park back in October so they will be looking for the league double.

Pontypool: Walker Price (replaced by Jordan Thomas), Ewan Rosser, Marcus Jones, Joel Mahoney, Ioan Duggan (replaced by Amosa Nove), Kieran Meek, Morgan Lloyd, Kyan Best (replaced by George Tuckley), Sam Scarfe (replaced by Connor Chapman), Kelvyn Williams (replaced by Harry Drane), Buster Bodkin (replaced by Ieuan Jones), Dan Hill, Mike Herbert (captain), Ryan Jones (replaced by Morgan Allen) and Scott Matthews (replaced by Adam Stratton).

Carmarthen Quins: Eilir George, Dylan Richards, Jac Howells, Gabe McDonald, Louis Rees, Elis Price, Lucca Setaro, Rhys Fawcett, Lewis Morgan, Connor Allen, Ryan Bean, Josh Helps (captain), Osain Williams Keanu Evans and Lewys Millin . Replacements: James Newnian, Lewis Jones, Ifan James, Iestyn Wood, Taine Morgan, Tom Jones, Osian Jones and Elis Payne.