Pooler’s second half shocker at Bridgend

Pontypool must have gone into this re-arranged Super Rygbi Cymru league fixture with traditional rivals Bridgend at the Electric Brewery Field with some confidence after an impressive showing at Llandovery seven days previous and Pooler started well with a dominant display in the first half against the Ravens, writes Ray Ruddick. However, the second period was a completely different story as Pooler’s defence crumbled with holes appearing on several occasions and Bridgend capitalised on their visitors’ lack of tackling, scoring 43 points in a horrible second half for Pooler.

Pontypool, in their changed strip of predominantly black, kicked off defending the scoreboard end of the ground on a dry and fine but chilly afternoon. On 9 minutes Pooler won a lineout near half-way and a driving maul made 15 metres. The ball was released to the backs and play went left. The ball reached left wing Marcus Jones who dived over for a try in the corner, but the conversion attempt failed (0-5). In the 17^th minute the home side were penalised at a ruck just outside their 22 in front of the posts and visiting captain and outside half Kieran Meek slotted the shot at goal (0-8).

Midway through the first period play was near Bridgend’s 22 with the home side in possession, but a clearing kick was charged down by Pooler number eight Morgan Allen who won the race to the touchdown, 15 metres in from the right corner. Again, the conversion attempt went wide (0-13). In the 38^th minute Bridgend counterattacked and took play into Pooler’s 22. The ball went left and full back Fraser Jones scored a try in the left corner which was converted by outside half Ben Burnell (7-13). Two minutes later the Ravens’ right wing Joseph Gatt was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on inside the home 22. From the resulting penalty, then line-out, then driving maul, hooker Sam Scarfe scored a try, 5 metres in from the left corner. This score was converted by Kieran Meek to make the half-time score Bridgend 7 Pontypool 20 with Pooler fully deserving of the half-time lead having bossed most of the first half.

In the third minute of the second period, Bridgend broke out of their half and took play into Pooler’s 22. Pontypool were penalised and the Ravens took a quick tap which resulted in skipper and number eight Tom Jevons scoring a try to the left of the posts with Ben Burnell kicking the conversion (14-20). Less than a minute later and from the restart, Pooler flanker Ryan Jones got the ball and Marcus Jones eventually crossed for a try, his second of the match and Pooler's try bonus point, in the left corner with Kieran Meek adding the extras (14-27). That was all Pooler had to offer in terms of scoring as in the 48^th minute Bridgend were on the attack inside Pooler’s 22; play went right and Joseph Gatt crossed for a try to the right of the posts, duly converted by Ben Burnell (21-27). Four minutes later Bridgend scored their bonus point try under the posts by centre Tom Florence after a break in midfield to put the home side in front for the first time in the match – and they never looked back. In the 54^th minute Kieran Meek was replaced by Harri Ford. Just before the hour mark the Ravens extended their lead as Joseph Gatt bagged his brace when he touched down 10 metres in from the right corner after the home side took a quick tap penalty. The conversion attempt went wide (33-27). Pontypool then went to their bench as Ioan Evans, Evan Wood and Ieuan Jones replaced centre Joel Mahoney, Sam Scarfe and Morgan Allen respectively.

In the 66^th minute Bridgend broke through and replacement scrum half Chris Williams scored in the right corner, converted by Ben Burnell (49-27) and four minutes later the home side again made another break and cut through a failing Pooler defence with replacement Ryan Wilkins scoring an unconverted try, 10 metres in from the left corner. There was just over 5 minutes left when Ellis Davies replaced right wing Carrick McDonough and a couple of minutes later Pontypool made their final three changes when Taylor Pescud, Nathan Davies and Daniel Bassett took over from loose head prop Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, tight head prop Owen Popple and second row Dan Hill respectively. In the final minute Bridgend rounded off an impressive second half display when replacement Lloyd Wilkins scored an unconverted try in the left corner after an interception in midfield. Final score – Bridgend 50 Pontypool 27.

Congratulations to Bridgend on their thoroughly deserved and emphatic victory. This was a most disappointing showing overall by Pooler, just picking up a try-bonus point, after some encouraging performances of late, and this result means that they are firmly rooted to the foot of the league table on 18 points with Aberavon 9^th on 23, Bridgend 8^th with 25 and RGC in seventh place on 32, however, Pooler have a game in hand over their nearest rivals. Pontypool now need to re-group and improve their defence as their next game will be on the road again on Saturday, with a trip to Broadacre, home of Dunvant RFC to take on Swansea in another re-arranged league fixture and a must-win game for Pooler if they are to climb off the foot of the table. Kick-off will be the slightly earlier than usual time of 2.00pm, due to the Wales v Italy Six Nations game later that afternoon.

Bridgend: Fraser Jones, Joseph Gatt, Tom Florence, Tommy Morgan, Macauley Rowley, Ben Burnell, Harvey Nash, Harry Olding, Corey Lewis, Nathan Evans, Evan Hill, Alfie Thomas, Danny Perry, Kyle Harris and Tom Jevons (captain). Replacements: McKenzie Scales, Tom Richardson, Matholwch Iorwerth-Scott, Zac O’Driscoll, Luke Price, Chris Williams, Lloyd Wilkins and Ryan Wilkins.

Pontypool: Ewan Rosser, Carrick McDonough (replaced by Ellis Davies), Pat Lewis, Joel Mahoney (replaced by Ioan Evans), Marcus Jones, Kieran Meek (captain, replaced by Harri Ford), Logan Franklin, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths (replaced by Taylor Pescud), Sam Scarfe (replaced by Evan Wood), Owen Popple (replaced by Nathan Davies), Joe Davies, Dan Hill (replaced by Daniel Bassett), Scott Matthews, Ryan Jones and Morgan Allen (replaced by Ieuan Jones).