Dings snatch victory from Pooler with winning score in last play
For the first of three visits ‘over the border’ in 15 days, Pontypool travelled to north Bristol to face Dings Crusaders at the wonderful facilities of Shaftesbury Park on a warm and pleasant Saturday afternoon in mid-August, writes Ray Ruddick. There was little to choose between the two squads as both clubs warm up for the forthcoming league season. This entertaining encounter saw each side score five tries but Dings converted all theirs while Pooler managed only three and that was the difference at the final whistle.
Dings kicked off defending the M32 motorway end of the ground with the early exchanges about even. In the eleventh minute Pooler opened the scoring as they secured ball from a lineout close to the home goal line on Pontypool’s right. Play went left, centre Joel Mahoney received the ball at pace and crossed for a try under the posts. Captain-for-the-day and outside half Kieran Meek converted (0-7). Six minutes later Dings replied with a converted try, 15 metres in from the right corner from powerful driving maul (7-7).
In the 26th minute a long pass in midfield near the half-way line to Pooler full back Harry Jarvis put him clear and he outpaced the defence to score a try, 10 metres in from the left corner. Kieran Meek converted with a fine kick (7-14). On the half hour Pooler’s loose head prop Tom Sims, a former Dings player, was yellow carded for a high tackle near half-way. With five minutes left in the first half Pooler were under pressure with play inside their 22 and eventually the pressure told when Dings scored a try, 10 metres in from the left corner. This score was converted (14-14). Then on the stroke of half time, Dings took the lead with a converted try to the left of the posts. Half time score – Dings Crusaders 21 Pontypool 14.
In the first minute of the second half the game was halted for over 20 minutes when a Dings player received what looked like a serious injury after a nasty collision. Medics very quickly went to his aid and, after on-field treatment, he was carried off on a stretcher. Everyone at Pontypool RFC wishes him a full and speedy recovery. 10 minutes after the re-start Dings made a break in midfield and scored a converted try to the left of the posts (28-14). In the 55th minute Pooler had a scrum feed in front of the home uprights. Play went right and replacement centre Connor Milsom stretched over the goal line to score a try wide out. Replacement outside half Sam Berry slotted a lovely conversion (28-21). Two minutes later a great break from well inside his own half by Joel Mahoney sliced through the home defence. He then put replacement left wing Louis Rees clear and he touched down in the corner for an unconverted try (28-26).
As the game was going into the final five minutes Pontypool were on the attack and going through the phases. Play then went wide for right wing Sam Jones to dive over in the corner for a try which went unconverted but put the visitors back in front (28-31). However, in the last minute, Pooler had a scrum feed inside their 22 but were penalised. Dings kicked for the left corner, and with another powerful driving maul from the line-out, got them over the line and scored the winning try in last play which was converted to deny Pooler victory. Final score – Dings Crusaders 35 Pontypool 31.
Pooler’s downfall was possibly their lack of discipline as the referee warned them on numerous occasions to keep their tackling lower, but he penalised them several times which, ultimately, cost them the game as they need to listen more to the referee. There were some fine individual performances on show for the visitors, but it will take time to gel as a team with many new signings. It was a good workout for Pooler against tough opposition, and the coaching staff will have learned lessons from this narrow defeat.
Next Saturday Pontypool visit Birmingham Moseley as the National One side will give Pooler a stern test at Billesley Common, kick-off at 3.00pm. Pontypool wrap up their pre-season friendlies with a trip to the Forest of Dean on Saturday 30 August to face Cinderford (National Two West) on their newly laid pitch at the Beavis Memorial Ground, again with a 3.00pm kick-off.
Pontypool starting XV: Harry Jarvis, Sam Jones, Ioan Evans, Joel Mahoney, Rhys Cole, Kieran Meek (captain), Rhodri Cole, Tom Sims, Aneurin James, Owen Popple, Joe Davies, Dan Hill, Luke Daniel, Ryan Jones and Morgan Allen. Also played: Ellis Davies, Louis Rees, Connor Milsom, Morgan Carter, Sam Berry, Dylan Davies, Sam Cochrane, Ewan Burrows, Kyan Best, Buster Bodkin, Lloyd Riley and Mike Herbert.
