Pooler’s mistakes prove costly in a thoroughly entertaining derby

These two old rivals clashed for the third time this season when Newport locked horns with Pontypool for the return league fixture at Rodney Parade on a beautiful, warm and sunny Sunday afternoon, writes Ray Ruddick. The league encounter at Pontypool Park back in October went the way of the home side by 17 points to 14. Then just over two weeks ago Newport gained a 31-14 victory in the final round-robin Super Rygbi Cymru Cup match at Newport Stadium so it was all to play for in this Super Rygbi Cymru encounter.

Newport kicked off attacking the changing rooms end of the ground. The early exchanges were just about even and, in the 12^th minute the deadlock was broken when Newport were on the attack with play between Pooler’s 22 and 10 metre line. A Newport pass was intercepted by visiting scrum half Morgan Lloyd who sprinted 70 metres to score under the posts. Outside half Kieran Meek converted (0-7). Six minutes later Pooler went further ahead when they had a scrum feed between Newport’s 10-metre line and 22. Play went left and wing Marcus Jones made good ground and eventually centre Pat Lewis, who was returning from a long lay-off due to injury, took the scoring pass as he touched down in the left corner. This score was superbly converted by Kieran Meek (0-14).

In the 23^rd minute Pooler were in possession in midfield inside their half and the ball reached right wing Ewan Rosser. He ran 60 metres avoiding several would-be tacklers to score a great individual try 5 metres in from the right touchline. Another fine kick by Kieran Meek took Pontypool into an impressive 21-0 lead. However, back came Newport and in the 27^th minute the home side opened their account with a try to the left of the posts by right wing Oli Andrew which was converted by outside half Jac Lloyd (7-21). 12 minutes later Newport were pressing near the Pontypool goal line and the pressure told when number eight and captain Ben Roach barged over for a try 5 metres in from the left corner and Jac Lloyd converted (14-21). Then in the first minute of injury time at the end of an action-packed first half, Newport were guilty of holding on at a ruck, 8 metres inside their half to the left of the posts and Kieran Meek kicked the goal to take Pontypool ten points clear at the break. Half-time score – Newport 14 Pontypool 24.

At the start of the second period Scott Matthews took over from Adam Stratton in Pontypool’s back row. In the second minute of the second half play was in midfield near Newport’s 10-metre line with Pooler in possession. The ball went right and reached Pat Lewis on the right flank who sprinted 30 metres and outpaced the defence to score an unconverted try, and Pooler’s bonus-point try, in the corner (14-29). In the 52^nd minute Pontypool were on the attack near the home 22 to the left of the uprights when Kieran Meek slotted a neat drop goal to put the visitors into a commanding 18-point lead (14-32). However, Newport had other ideas as in the following minute they hit back with a break out and a try near the posts by scrum half Che Hope and Jac Lloyd added the extras (21-32). Owain James then replaced tight head prop Kelvyn Williams for Pooler. In the 57^th minute Newport scored again when Oli Andrew found himself in some space and ran round to touch down under the posts for Newport’s bonus-point try which was converted by Jac Lloyd (28-32).

Going into the final quarter with only four points separating the two sides, Newport were penalised a metre inside Pooler’s half to the right of the posts and Kieran Meek kicked a superb goal (28-35). Pooler second row Ieuan Jones was replaced by Callum Davies. With around 15 minutes remaining, Newport were on the attack, play went left and replacement Ioan Davies managed to squeeze over in the corner for a try which Jac Lloyd converted (35-35). In the 69^th minute Pontypool were penalised at a scrum on their 10-metre line in midfield and Jac Lloyd put the home side in front for the first time in the game with a successful shot at goal (38-35). Mathew Powell then replaced Pat Lewis and hooker Sam Scarfe made way for Connor Chapman for the visitors. The last ten minutes were frantic as Newport tried to hold on to their lead and Pooler attempted to get into a position to either draw the game or snatch it from Newport’s grasp. The home side held on and managed the last couple of minutes well but it was so near yet so far for Pooler. Final score – Newport 38 Pontypool 35.

So it was Newport who took the spoils in an absolutely absorbing and thoroughly entertaining match. Pontypool must be hugely disappointed after having taken a 21-0 lead inside the first 23 minutes only for their lead to ebb away and Newport take the lead late on in the game. The commitment and effort of the Pooler players cannot be faulted as every player put in a huge shift. It was very fine margins which decided the outcome of this Gwent derby clash so perhaps Pontypool need to look at their game management and the cutting down on unforced errors as it was these that Newport fed off, counter-attacked and, ultimately, got that all-important win so congratulations to the Black-and-Ambers who never gave up and their patience was rewarded. There is a short turn round now for Pooler as they welcome a resurgent Swansea to Pontypool Park for a Super Rygbi Cymru match on Thursday 3 April 2025 with a 7.30pm kick-off. This game will be televised live on S4C Clic.

Newport: Carwyn Penny (replaced by Ioan Davies), Oli Andrew, Jon Morris (replaced by Dafydd Buckland), Chay-Foster-Smith, Elliot Frewen (replaced by Iestyn Galton), Jac Lloyd, Che Hope, Tom Workman (replaced by Harry Fry), Henry Palmer (replaced by Tyler Olding), Garin Harris (replaced by Ollie Drake), Lewis David (replaced by Rhys Jenkins), Josh Skinner (replaced by Josh Reid), George Young, Kyle Tayler and Ben Roach (captain).

Pontypool: Walker Price, Ewan Rosser, Pat Lewis (replaced by Mathew Powell), Joel Mahoney, Marcus Jones, Kieran Meek, Morgan Lloyd, George Tuckley, Sam Scarfe (replaced by Connor Chapman), Kelvyn Williams (replaced by Owain James), Ieuan Jones (replaced by Callum Davies), Dan Hill, Mike Herbert (captain), Adam Stratton (replaced by Scott Matthews) and Morgan Allen.