Pooler worked hard for victory over much-improved Swansea

Pontypool welcomed Swansea to a drizzly Pontypool Park on Thursday evening for a Super Rygbi Cymru match in front of the S4C Clic cameras, writes Ray Ruddick. Pontypool gained a 43-10 victory at St Helen’s in October and a very close 32-31 verdict in the Super Rygbi Cymru Cup round robin match at Pontypool Park in January so the home side was going for a hat-trick of wins over Swansea this season. Centre Joel Mahoney was making his 100^th league and cup appearance for Pontypool.

Swansea kicked off attacking the scoreboard end of the ground. Pontypool struck early as in the fourth minute they were on the attack inside the visitors’ 22. Play went left then the ball was moved out to the right and flanker Lewis Robey powered over near the right corner to score his first try for the club. Outside half Kieran Meek converted (7-0). In the 10^th minute Swansea were penalised at a collapsed scrum in front of their posts and Kieran Meek slotted the kick at goal (10-0).

In the 21^st minute Swansea opened their account when full back Harri Houston made a break outside the home 22 which split the Pooler defence and he gave the scoring pass to scrum half Iwan Temblett who touched down 15 metres in from the left corner and the conversion was kicked by outside half Josh Phillips (10-7). Four minutes later, Pooler hooker Sam Scarfe took a knock to the shoulder and was replaced by Connor Chapman. Just before the half-hour mark Swansea were asking questions of the Pooler defence and the pressure eventually told as left wing Tom Edwards dived over for a try in the left corner, converted by Josh Phillips (10-14). Swansea were now playing well and began to get on top as play was deep inside Pooler’s 22. With seven minutes remaining at the end of the first half Swansea extended their lead with a try to the left of the posts by loose head prop Cam Jones and Josh Phillips again converted (10-21). In the 38^th minute Swansea were penalised in front of their posts and Kieran Meek slotted the shot at goal (13-21). Then as the game passed the 40-minute mark, Swansea’s tight head prop Ed Thompson was yellow carded. From the resulting penalty, kick to the right cover, catch and drive by the Pooler forwards, Connor Chapman scored a try 15 metres in with Kieran Meek adding the extras. Half-time score – Pontypool 20 Swansea 21.

At the start of the second period, Ieuan Jones replaced Buster Bodkin in the second row for Pontypool and seven minutes in, Lewis Robey made way for Scott Matthews. A minute later, Kieran Meek received the ball near his 10-metre line and showed great vision as he put in a cross kick to the left side of the field. This was collected by left wing Marcus Jones who beat Harri Houston and raced over to score a try under the posts to put Pooler back into the lead. Kieran Meek added the conversion (27-21). In the 56^th minute Pooler were penalised for not releasing at a ruck near the home 10-metre line, to the right of the posts and Josh Phillips kicked the goal (27-24). Eight minutes later Harry Drane replaced tight head prop Kelvyn Williams and Callum Davies took over from flanker and captain Mike Herbert for Pontypool.

In the 64^th minute Pooler full back Ewan Rosser kicked ahead and he gathered on the All Whites’ 22. Pooler then built pressure and Scott Matthews took the ball and managed to get over the line to the left of the posts for Pooler’s bonus-point try. Kieran Meek again was on target with the conversion (34-24). Five minutes later, right wing Jordan Thomas was replaced by Harry Jarvis for the home side. With ten minutes remaining, Pontypool were again on the offensive near the Swansea goal line and, after several drives, Ieuan Jones powered over for a try from closer range to the right of the posts. Kieran Meek completed an impressive display with his fifth conversion of the evening and a match haul of 16 points (41-24). Meek was then replaced by Lewis Bates. In the 74^th minute Callum Davies was sin-binned for an offence at a ruck on Pooler’s 10-metre line. Then debutant Regan Jones, the young Dragon, replaced loose head prop Owain James. In the 77^th minute Swansea scored their bonus-point try and the ninth in total of an absorbing contest when Will Austin benefitted from a catch and drive near the Pooler line as the replacement hooker touched down to the left of the posts. Another replacement Tal Rees converted. Final score – Pontypool 41 Swansea 31.

S4C Clic’s man-of-the-match was Pooler’s debutant scrum half Rhodri Cole, who was on permit from Neath as a late call-up for regular scrum half Morgan Lloyd who was unwell.

This was a work-man-like performance by Pooler who impressed in the second half against a much-improved and dangerous Swansea outfit who gained a surprise 42-24 win over last season’s double champions and this season’s cup winners Llandovery at St Helen’s last time out. Congratulations to Pontypool on their deserved victory as they now have secured at least a fifth place finish in the league. Pontypool’s next match is another televised game which will be on Thursday 10 April when they make the journey along the M4 to the Talbot Athletic Ground to take on Aberavon, kick-off will be at 7.30pm. Then the final league match before the play-offs will be on Saturday 19 April when Cardiff will be the visitors to Pontypool Park, kick-off 2.30pm.

Pontypool: Ewan Rosser, Jordan Thomas (replaced by Harry Jarvis), Pat Lewis, Joel Mahoney, Marcus Jones, Kieran Meek (replaced by Lewis Bates), Rhodri Cole, Owain James (replaced by Regan Jones), Sam Scarfe (replaced by Connor Chapman), Kelvyn Williams (replaced by Harry Drane), Buster Bodkin (replaced by Ieuan Jones), Dan Hill, Lewis Robey (replaced by Scott Matthews), Mike Herbert (captain, replaced by Callum Davies) and Morgan Allen.

Swansea: Harri Houston, Iwan Glynn, Callum Dodd, James Price, Tom Edwards, Josh Phillips, Iwan Temblett, Cam Jones, Jamie Cox, Ed Thompson, Liam Edwards, Chris Thompson, Dan Gemine, Owen Thomas (captain) and Cai Davies. Replacements: Will Austin, Daf Davies, Kian Hire, Sam Pailor, Callum Bowden, Matthew Aubrey, Tal Rees and Ieuan Cornelius.