Pooler overcame tenacious Swansea in tough league opener

Pontypool welcomed traditional rivals Swansea to a very wet Pontypool Park for the opening league match in Super Rygbi Cymru on Saturday and came away with a hard-fought victory, writes Ray Ruddick. Several short sharp showers during the game made it difficult for both sides to play open, expansive rugby with the ball greasy and a slippery playing surface.

Before kick-off there was a minute’s applause in memory of Roy Barnwell who had passed away earlier in the week. Roy had been associated with Pontypool RFC for almost 60 years and for many years looked after the playing kit along with Peter Jackson and the late Terry ‘Tiger’ Simons. Everyone at Pontypool RFC sends their deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to Roy’s family at this extremely sad and very difficult time, he will be missed very much.

Pontypool kicked off attacking the scoreboard end of the ground. In the seventh minute Pooler were caught offside, 35 metres from their goal line and to the left of the posts but the attempt at goal went wide. Six minutes later Swansea were penalised at a scrum, 10 metres from their goal line in front of the posts and home outside half Kieran Meek slotted the relatively easy kick (3-0).

In the 27^th minute Pooler were in possession inside the All Whites’ 22 and scrum half Rhodri Cole went through a gap to score a try under the posts which Kieran Meek converted (10-0). Two minutes later Pontypool were penalised for taking a player out on their 22, slightly to the left of the posts and visiting outside half Josh Phillips kicked the goal (10-3). In the 32^nd minute the referee Maickel English (Llanwern) pulled up with an injury and he was replaced by the number one assistant referee Matthew Leon (Cardiff). There was a short delay while the officials changed over and straight after the re-start, Swansea were penalised near their 10-metre line in midfield. Kieran Meek went for goal and slotted a fine kick (13-3). Just before the half-time whistle, Pontypool were guilty of a high tackle four metres inside their half in midfield but the attempt at goal failed. Half-time score – Pontypool 13 Swansea 3.

It was evenly contested at the beginning of the second period until the 49^th minute when Swansea went on the attack and scored a try to the left of the posts by hooker Jamie Cox and converted by Josh Phillips which put the visitors right back in the game (13-10). Pontypool then made three changes – right wing Sam Jones, loose head prop Tom Sims and tight head prop Owen Popple made way for Louis Rees, George Tuckley and Kelvyn Williams respectively. In the 57^th minute a good build up and great handling by several Pooler players resulted in a try by the outstanding Morgan Allen as the number eight powered over in the left corner. The difficult conversion failed (18-10). New Pooler centre Ioan Evans was then replaced by the experienced Pat Lewis.

Six minutes later Pontypool were penalised just inside their 22 slightly to the left of the posts and Josh Phillips narrowed the gap to five points with a successful shot at goal (18-13). The next score, in the 66^th minute, was straight from the training ground. A wonderful pre-planned move and superbly executed by Pontypool when they had a throw in at a lineout five metres from the Swansea whitewash which led to a try by hooker Evan Wood as he dived over in the right corner. This score was superbly converted by Kieran Meek (25-13). Going into the final ten minutes of this keenly contested match, Pontypool made a further four replacements when Liam Antrobus, Callum Davies, Ewan Burrows and Cai Wardman took over from second row Dan Hill, Morgan Allen, Evan Wood and Rhodri Cole respectively. There was no further scoring, so Pontypool held on for their win. Final score – Pontypool 25 Swansea 13.

Well done to Pontypool for securing a deserved victory as they were made to work very hard by a determined and resolute Swansea team and credit to both sides as they put on a good display despite the tricky conditions. This was Pooler’s record seventh consecutive win over the All Whites as their previous best was five. Pontypool’s next match is next Saturday, and it will be another home game as they welcome to Pontypool Park the Gogs from North Wales, RGC 1404 with the usual 2.30pm kick-off.

Pontypool: Ellis Davies, Sam Jones (replaced by Louis Rees), Ioan Evans (replaced by Pat Lewis), Joel Mahoney, Marcus Jones, Kieran Meek, Rhodri Cole (replaced by Cai Wardman), Tom Sims (replaced by George Tuckley), Evan Wood (replaced by Ewan Burrows), Owen Popple (replaced by Kelvyn Williams), Joe Davies, Dan Hill (replaced by Liam Antrobus), Scott Matthews, Mike Herbert (captain) and Morgan Allen (replaced by Callum Davies).

Swansea: Lewis Edwards, Iwan Glynn, Callum Carson, Jack Hoskins, Callum Dodd (replaced by Joe Thomas then Thomas was replaced by Oliver Jones), Josh Phillips, Matthew Aubrey (replaced by Iwan Temblett), Daf Davies (replaced by Tom Crockett), Jamie Cox (replaced by Rhodri King), Ellis Fackrell (replaced by Kian Hire), Chris Thompson, Cai Arnold (replaced by Matt Dodd), Ben Roberts, Callum Bowden (captain) and Jacob Hopkins (replaced by Ethan Fackrell).