Poor Pooler outplayed in the capital

After a very impressive display at home to Bridgend the previous Saturday, Pontypool must have gone into their match with Cardiff at the Arms Park on Saturday in the Super Rygbi Cymru with confidence but, in complete contrast, they rarely threatened to score in a hugely disappointing showing, writes Ray Ruddick. Congratulations to Pontypool's left wing Marcus Jones who made his 50th appearance for the club.

Pontypool kicked off attacking the Westgate Street end of the ground on a fine and dry, but cold and windy afternoon. Pontypool soaked up early Cardiff pressure with some resolute defence. On 18 minutes Cardiff were penalised at a ruck 3 metres inside their half in midfield and visiting outside half Kieran Meek slotted the goal (0-3).

In the 26^th minute Cardiff were again guilty of an infringement at a ruck 5 metres inside Pooler’s half in midfield by the attempt at goal fell just short. Despite Cardiff having the lion’s share of both possession and territory in the first half an hour or so, Pooler’s defence was strong and kept their hosts out. However, in the 33^rd minute, a powerful driving maul by the Cardiff pack resulted in a try by hooker Alun Rees, 10 metres in from the left corner. The conversion went across the face of the posts (5-3). There was no further scoring in the first half and Pontypool must have been reasonably happy going into half-time just two points down considering how dominant Cardiff were. Half-time score – Cardiff 5 Pontypool 3.

The 10^th minute of the second half saw Pooler made their first change when second row Liam Antrobus was replaced by Dan Hill. Three minutes later, Pooler had a throw in at a line-out, 5 metres from their goal line but the tap back did not go to hand, and the ball was snapped up by home second row Tom Cottle who touched down for a try, 10 metres in from the right corner. Outside half Lloyd Lucas slotted the conversion (12-3). In the 55^th minute George Tuckley took over from loose head prop Sam Cochrane and centre Pat Lewis made way for Ioan Evans for the visitors. A minute later Cardiff scored their third try of the afternoon when right wing Joe Goodchild dived acrobatically to score an unconverted try in the right corner after a good build up and some fine handling (17-3).

Just before the hour mark Pooler made a couple more changes with Evan Minto and Ieuan Jones taking over from back rowers Scott Matthews and Morgan Allen respectively - then a couple more five minutes later as Harri Ford took over from Keiran Meek and hooker Evan Wood, who had taken a knock, was replaced by Ewan Burrows. Fourteen minutes from time, Cardiff scored their bonus-point try when replacement back row forward Ben Fry powered over from short range, 15 metres in from the left corner. Lloyd Lucas converted (24-3). A minute later Pooler made their final substitution with Owen Popple replacing tight head prop Owain James. With less than two minutes left on the clock, another powerful driving maul by the home pack resulted in replacement hooker Gavin Parry getting over for a try, 15 metres in from the left touchline and Lloyd Lucas added the extras (31-3). In the build-up to the try, Pooler’s replacement hooker Ewan Burrows transgressed, and he was yellow carded. Final score – Cardiff 31 Pontypool 3.

Cardiff were superior in all aspects of the game and fully deserved their victory so congratulations to them. For Pontypool, however, the only positive they can take from this game was their first half defence, which kept Cardiff at bay until seven minutes before the interval. Otherwise, it was a poor performance as the scrum was under pressure, the line-out did not function, there were too many turnovers conceded and the discipline was poor, giving away far too many penalties. There was no platform to work off so, as a result, Pooler did not look like scoring a try. There is a short turn round for Pontypool to put things right as they welcome old friends and traditional rivals Aberavon to Pontypool Park on Thursday evening for another Super Rygbi Cymru encounter, in front of the S4C cameras, with kick-off at 7.30pm.

Cardiff: Matty Young, Joe Goodchild (replaced by Rhys Cummings), Osian Darwin-Lewis (replaced by Jason Harries), Tom Williams, Dewi Cross, Lloyd Lucas, Ethan Lloyd (replaced by Sion Davies), Ioan Emanuel (replaced by Joe Cowell), Alun Rees (replaced by Gavin Parry), Will Davies-King (replaced by Tom Harper), Tom Cottle, Sean Moore (captain), Lucas de la Rua (replaced by Aled Ward), Nathan Hudd and Evan Rees (replaced by Ben Fry).

Pontypool: Walker Price, Rhys Cole, Pat Lewis (replaced by Ioan Evans), Joel Mahoney, Marcus Jones, Kieran Meek (replaced by Harri Ford), Logan Franklin, Sam Cochrane (replaced by George Tuckley), Evan Wood (replaced by Ewan Burrows), Owain James (replaced by Owen Popple), Joe Davies, Liam Antrobus (replaced by Dan Hill), Scott Matthews (replaced by Evan Minto), Mike Herbert (captain) and Morgan Allen (replaced by Ieuan Jones).