Pooler let 19-point lead slip in frustrating defeat

Pontypool welcomed old friends and traditional rivals Aberavon to a very wet and miserable Pontypool Park on Thursday evening for a Super Rygbi Cymru clash in front of the S4C cameras, writes Ray Ruddick. Pooler had much work to do in training after their 31-3 reverse at the Arms Park the previous Saturday and started the game against the Wizards well, racing into a well-earned 19-point lead but Aberavon came back and took the spoils at the death as with a penalty goal in what was the last action of a game that slipped away from Pooler’s grasp as the second half unfolded in the wind and pouring rain.

Pontypool kicked off attacking the scoreboard end of the ground. In the 8^th minute a relieving kick by Aberavon was fielded by home full back Ewan Rosser 20 metres inside his half and passed inside to Pat Lewis near the half way line. Lewis took play to just outside the visitors’ 22 and offloaded inside to scrum half Morgan Lloyd who touched down 5 metres in from the right corner. The conversion attempt failed (5-0). Eighteen minutes later play was inside Aberavon’s half and a lovely chip in midfield by Kieran Meek on Pooler’s 10-metre line was gathered by Carrick McDonough near the 22 and the wing sprinted over to score a try near the posts. This score was converted by outside half Kieran Meek (12-0).

Six minutes before the interval Pooler had a scrum feed five metres from the Wizards’ goal line. Home number eight Ieuan Jones picked up from the base and dived over for a try to the right of the posts and Kieran Meek added the extras (19-0). Pooler were now in a commanding position and just needed to see out the final minutes of the first half. However, Aberavon had other ideas and in the 37^th minute they got onto the score sheet with a try from close range by scrum half Scott Whitlock,15 metres in from the right corner. Outside half Charlie Thomas converted. Half-time score – Pontypool 19 Aberavon 7.

In the 47^th minute Morgan Allen replaced the impressive Ieuan Jones and a minute later Aberavon scored an unconverted try in the left corner by replacement second row Shay Smallman, which put them right back in the game (19-12). Flanker Evan Minto made way for Scott Matthews in the 53^rd minute for Pooler and three minutes later the home side were on the attack deep inside the Wizards’ 22. After several drives towards the visitors’ goal line, Kieran Meek stepped inside and scored a try to the right of the posts, but his conversion attempt struck the right upright (24-12). Pontypool then made three changes in quick succession with Callum Davies taking over from captain Mike Hebert in the back row then Joel Mahoney replaced centre Pat Lewis and hooker Ewan Burrows, who took a knock, made way for Aneurin James. In the 66^th minute there were three more changes for Pooler with Harri Ford, Jake Wisniewski and Kelvyn Williams taking over from Kieran Meek, loose head prop Sam Cochrane, who took a knock, and tight head prop Owain James respectively.

In the 68^th minute play was deep inside Pontypool’s 22 and Shay Smallman scored an unconverted try, his second of the evening, 15 metres in from the right touchline (24-17). Four minutes later the visitors scored again after a break by number eight Ashton Evans when replacement scrum half Caelan Carson-Jones touched down to the right of the posts and replacement outside half Keillan Carson converted to bring the scores level (24-24). Aberavon’s tails were up at this stage and the question was could Pooler hang on for a draw or could Aberavon snatch it with a late winner. With the game going into its final five minutes, Pontypool were penalised at a ruck, 8 metres in from touch on Aberavon’s right and 5 metres inside Pooler’s half but the attempt at goal went wide. Then, with the final action of a hard-fought contest, played in great spirits in awful conditions, Keillan Cullen slotted the winning penalty goal after the home side were penalised for not rolling away at a ruck near their line, 15 metres in from touch on the Wizards’ left. Final score – Pontypool 24 Aberavon 27.

Once again Pontypool should address the number of penalties they are conceding, particularly the unforced ones, and perhaps look at their game management in the second half as momentum shifted to the Wizards. Overall, it was a better performance than that against Cardiff but when they are in front by a comfortable margin, they need to consolidate their lead and not let their opponents get a way back into the game. It was a case of might have been for Pontypool but many congratulations to Aberavon who stuck at it, fought back and got their reward in the end with a deserved victory. There is a three-week break now as the Autumn internationals are upon us, so Pontypool’s next game will be on Friday 21 November when they will visit Church Bank for the difficult task of taking on Llandovery in another Super Rygbi Cymru encounter with a 7.30pm kick-off.

Pontypool: Ewan Rosser, Carrick McDonough, Pat Lewis (replaced by Joel Mahoney), Ioan Evans, Marcus Jones, Kieran Meek (replaced by Harri Ford), Morgan Lloyd, Sam Cochrane (replaced by Jake Wisniewski), Ewan Burrows (replaced by Aneurin James), Owain James (replaced by Kelvyn Williams), Joe Davies, Dan Hill, Evan Minto (replaced by Scott Matthews), Mike Herbert (captain, replaced by Callum Davies) and Ieuan Jones (replaced by Morgan Allen).

Aberavon: Joe Gage, Cori Lewis-Jenkins (replaced by Felix Gilbert, then Gilbert was replaced by Caelan Carson-Jones), Brad Roderick, Sam Jardine, Frankie Jones, Charlie Thomas (replaced by Keillan Cullen), Scott Whitlock, Dylan James (replaced by Jordan Walters), George Merrett, Morgan James (replaced by Geraint James), Ross Fox (replaced by Shay Smallman), Lewis Marsh, Cameron Loveys (replaced by Charlie Herdman), Gwilym Evans (captain) and Ashton Evans..