Another frustrating defeat on the road for Pooler

Swansea are playing their home matches this season at Broadacre, home of Dunvant RFC, while St Helen’s is being redeveloped so Pontypool arrived there on Saturday for this Super Rygbi Cymru league fixture on the back of a disappointing second half performance at Bridgend the previous weekend, and keen to get back to winning ways, writes Ray Ruddick. This is the third consecutive match where Pooler have been in front at half-time but ending up losing, unable to close the game out, which is very frustrating for the players, coaches and the Pooler faithful alike. Dan Hill was making his 50^th league and cup appearance for Pontypool.

Pontypool, who were playing in their changed strip of predominantly black, kicked off defending the car park end of the ground on a fine and dry afternoon with a chilly breeze. The early exchanges were about even, and it took until the 18^th minute for the stalemate to be broken when Pontypool were awarded a penalty inside the home 22. They decided to kick to the left corner and, from the resulting driving maul from the lineout, flanker Scott Matthews scored an unconverted try, 10 metres in from the corner (0-5). Five minutes later Swansea were again penalised on their 22, 15 metres in on Pooler’s right and visiting outside half and captain Kieran Meek slotted the kick at goal (0-8). In the 27^th minute Pontypool were on the attack near Swansea’s 22 with the referee playing a Pooler advantage, Kieran Meek dropped a neat goal and home flanker Iwan Shenton was yellow-carded. There was no further scoring in a very competitive first half with the half-time score Swansea 0 Pontypool 11.

The second half started like the first with no scoring in the first 14 minutes or so until the Whites full back Iwan Glynn took the ball at speed and cut through the Pooler defence to score a try 6 metres in from the right corner. The conversion attempt failed (5-11). In the 63^rd minute Swansea were penalised near their line and Pontypool opted for a scrum, which looked strong throughout the game. Number eight Morgan Allen picked up from the base and powered over for a try to the right of the posts. Kieran Meek added the extras to give his side a 13-point advantage going into the last 15 minutes (5-18). That was the last action for Morgan Allen as he was replaced by Ieuan Jones.

Three minutes later Swansea were on the attack inside Pooler’s 22 and play went left. The ball reached left wing Brandon Wood who scored a try in the corner, converted by outside half Josh Phillips (12-18). In the 70^th minute Aneurin James replaced Pooler’s hooker Sam Scarfe. Swansea were on the attack shortly after and, using their speedy backs, Brandon Wood scored his second try of the afternoon when he touched down to the left of the posts. The conversion attempt was off target so the home side were now only a point behind (17-18). As the clock ticked over into injury time, Pontypool were penalised, 15 metres in on Swansea’s left, just outside their 22 and Josh Phillips kicked the goal to put the home side in front for the first time in the game. Pooler centre Pat Lewis was yellow carded. In the fifth minute of time added on at the end of this tight and tough encounter and in last play, Swansea were guilty of an infringement at a scrum 15 metres in on Pooler’s left and 35 metres from their goal line. Kieran Meek decided to go for goal and his attempt went wide of the left upright and Swansea gained a narrow victory. Pontypool had to settle for a losing bonus point. Final score – Swansea 20 Pontypool 18.

Congratulations to Swansea not only for winning the Super Rygbi Cymru Plate competition the previous weekend and but for their victory over Pontypool. Swansea looked dangerous at times in the second half, and they took their chances well. As for Pontypool, it was a good first half performance, but the game seemed to slip away from them as the second period progressed. There will be plenty for the coaches to work on in training in the coming week ahead of Pontypool’s next match, which is against Cardiff at Pontypool Park next Saturday – only Pontypool’s second home match in 2026. The kick-off will be at the usual time of 2.30pm.

Swansea: Iwan Glynn, Liam Lloyd, Joe Thomas, Jack Hoskins (replaced by Callum Carson), Brandon Wood, Josh Phillips (co-captain). Matthew Aubrey, Daf Davies (replaced by Tom Crockett), Logan Lloyd (replaced by Rhodri King), Kian Hire (replaced by Ed Thompson), Chris Thompson (replaced by Matt Dodd), Ben Roberts, Iwan Shenton, Callum Bowden (co-captain, replaced by Ethan Fackrell) and Jacob Hopkins (replaced by Luca Giannini).

Pontypool: Carrick McDonough, Louis Rees, Pat Lewis, Ioan Evans, Marcus Jones, Kieran Meek (captain), Logan Franklin, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths (replaced by Kyan Best), Sam Scarfe (replaced by Aneurin James), Owen Popple (replaced by Kelvyn Williams), Joe Davies, Dan Hill, Scott Matthews, Ryan Jones and Morgan Allen (replaced by Ieuan Jones).