Pooler gained morale-boosting win on the road in England

Pontypool travelled to the Midlands on Saturday to face Division One outfit Birmingham Moseley in a pre-season friendly and came away with a fine victory against a very tough side, writes Ray Ruddick. Pooler visited Billesley Common last season in what was the first-ever match between these two famous clubs and it was the home side which took the spoils then with a 36-19 verdict on that occasion, but Pontypool put in a fine display in this pre-season encounter to record a close but deserved triumph.

The game was played over three 30-minute periods to give both clubs’ players chance to showcase their skills. Pooler kicked off defending the scoreboard end of the ground on a fine, dry afternoon with the visitors playing in their changed strip of predominantly black. Pontypool opened the scoring in the ninth minute when they took a tap penalty following a scrum close to the Moseley line and number eight Scott Matthews barged over for a try, 15 metres in from the right corner. Outside half Sam Berry slotted the conversion (0-7). Eight minutes later Moseley’s powerful scrum shoved their opponents backwards near the visitors’ goal line and scored an unconverted try near the right corner (5-7). Then in the final minute of the first period, Moseley took the lead when, once again, their powerful forwards came to the fore with a driving maul which resulted in an unconverted try, 10 metres in from the left corner and the conversion attempt struck the near upright and went wide. The score at the end of the first period was Birmingham Moseley 10 Pontypool 7.

14 minutes into the second period saw Moseley on the attack deep inside Pooler’s 22 on their right. Play went left and the home side scored another unconverted try, 15 metres in from the left corner (15-7). Four minutes later Pooler were awarded a penalty near the Moseley line. The visitors took a tap and replacement second row Dan Hill powered over for a try to the right of the posts, converted by Sam Berry (15-14). As the second period was drawing to a close, a great break by the outstanding Scott Matthews, who deserved to score, was brought down just short of the goal line. The ball was recycled, play went right and wing Marcus Jones squeezed over in the corner for an unconverted try to put Pontypool back in front (15-19). Then with the final play of this period Moseley were on the attack, spread the ball and scored a converted try near the posts which made the score Birmingham Moseley 22 Pontypool 19.

So, it was all to play for in the final period. In the ninth minute Pontypool were putting the hosts under pressure and it eventually paid dividends when Scott Matthews burrowed over from close range for a try, 15 metres in from the right corner. The conversion, however, went across the face of the posts but the try put Pooler ahead once again (22-24). With just over ten minutes remaining of this close contest, and after a very powerful driving maul, which took play deep into Moseley’s 22, the referee was playing a Pooler advantage, however replacement prop Owen Popple managed to get over the line for a try, 15 metres in from the left corner. Full back Ellis Davies converted to take Pontypool two scores ahead (22-31). Then, with less than five minutes to go, Pontypool second row Liam Antrobus was shown the yellow card for a minor scuffle on Pooler’s 10-metre line. Moseley finished strongly and went on the attack. The Pooler defence couldn’t keep out the home side as they scored a converted try under the posts. However, it was too late for Moseley as Pontypool held on. Final score – Birmingham Moseley 29 Pontypool 31.

This was a morale-boosting win for Pontypool against strong opposition. Pooler started slowly but gradually grew into the game more in the second and third periods and played better than they did at Dings Crusaders in Bristol the week previous. There was more understanding with the players and discipline was better, which must have pleased the coaching staff. Well done to both teams for a most entertaining afternoon of rugby, very best wishes to Birmingham Moseley for the season ahead and many thanks to them for their warm welcome. For Pontypool, they are on the road again next Saturday, and again to England, when they travel the shorter distance to the Forest of Dean to take on Cinderford on their newly laid pitch at the Beavis Memorial Ground, kick-off will be at 3.00pm. The first Super Rygbi Cymru match for Pooler will be on Saturday 13 September when Swansea will be the welcome visitors to Pontypool Park, kicking off at 2.30pm.

Pontypool starting XV: Ellis Davies, Marcus Jones, Joel Mahoney, Pat Lewis, Louis Rees, Sam Berry, Rhodri Cole, George Tuckley, Aneurin James, Kelvyn Williams, Joe Davies, Liam Antrobus, Mike Herbert (captain), Callum Davies and Scott Matthews. Also played: Harry Jarvis, Ioan Evans, Morgan Carter, Rhys Cole, Archie Lloyd, Tom Sims, Tomoya Adachi, Owen Popple, Dan Hill, Ryan Jones and Lewis Robey.