Out of form Pooler struggle at Aberavon

Pontypool made the journey along the M4 to face traditional opponents Aberavon in Super Rygbi Cymru in a bottom of the table clash, as both of these famous clubs have struggled somewhat this season, writes Ray Ruddick. With only two Pontypool wins in the last 20 meetings, and only having won once in their last 12 visits to the Talbot Athletic Ground and the visitors’ poor form of late, it was an uphill task for Pontypool as Aberavon came away with six league points in a comfortable victory.

Aberavon kicked off attacking the scoreboard end of the ground on a fine and dry afternoon but there was a chill in the strong wind, which aided the home side in the first half. Inside the first minute Pontypool were penalised of holding on just outside their 22 in front of the posts and Aberavon’s outside half Keillen Cullen made no mistake with the attempt at goal and put his side into a very early lead – which they kept throughout the game (3-0). In the eighth minute Aberavon made a break in midfield and scrum half Scott Whitlock, making his 50^th appearance for the Wizards, received an inside pass to stroll over for a try behind the posts. This score was converted by Keillen Cullen (10-0). Flanker Ben Gregory was also making his 50^th appearance for Aberavon. In the 27^th minute Pooler were guilty of holding on, 5 metres inside their half and 5 metres in from touch on Aberavon’s left but the shot at goal was unsuccessful. Just before the half-hour mark Pontypool were penalised for not releasing, in midfield near their 10-metre line and again the shot at goal went wide. A couple of minutes later Aberavon were once more on the attack and Scott Whitlock scored his second try of the afternoon when he touched down to the right of the posts, converted by Keillen Cullen (17-0).

Towards the end of the first half there was a lengthy delay after a collapsed scrum on half-way in front of the stand resulted in an injury to Pontypool’s tight head prop Owen Popple who left the field on a stretcher. Thankfully, after being checked over at hospital, he returned home with a very stiff neck. Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery, Owen. He was replaced by the experienced Kelvyn Williams. In the eleventh minute of added time Pontypool flanker Dan Hill was shown the yellow card for an offence inside Pooler’s 22 after the visitors had already been warned about their discipline by the referee. Two minutes later Aberavon scored a try wide out on the left by Scott Whitlock – his hat trick – converted by Keillen Cullen. A fracas ensued inside the Pontypool in-goal area after the try had been scored and Aberavon’s captain and centre Bradley Roderick was shown the red card. Half-time score – Aberavon 24 Pontypool 0.

In the eighth minute of the second period, Pooler’s outside half Harri Ford kicked ahead. The ball was gathered by his right wing Carrick McDonough inside Aberavon’s 22 and he managed to get his pass to Marcus Jones for the left wing to score under the posts, centre and captain Kieran Meek converting (24-7). Luke Daniel then replaced visiting number eight Morgan Allen who had, a little earlier, taken a knock. In the 53^rd minute Pontypool were applying pressure on the home defence inside Aberavon’s 22. The ball was released and play went right for full back Ewan Rosser to score a try, 5 metres in from the corner. Kieran Meek converted with a fine kick (24-14). Pontypool were now back in the game but, five minutes later, Aberavon scored their bonus-point try when number eight Ashton Evans barged over for a try from close range, 15 metres in on Aberavon’s right, following a tap penalty near the Pooler line. Keillen Cullen again added the extras (31-14).

In the 63^rd minute Pontypool hooker Evan Wood was sin binned for an offence at a breakdown inside Pontypool’s half. Pontypool then made more changes over the next few minutes as Joe Davies, Buster Bodkin, Harri Ford and Carrick McDonough were replaced by Lance Randall, Liam Antrobus, Amosa Nove and Ioan Duggan respectively. Evan Wood did not return to the field after his yellow card, and he was replaced by Aneurin James. With five minutes to go Pooler’s loose head prop Kyan Best was replaced by Liam Newstead. In the penultimate minute of another disappointing defensive performance by Pontypool, Aberavon found a gap and full back Scott Delnevo scored a try near the posts which Keillen Cullen converted to make the final score Aberavon 38 Pontypool 14.

Congratulations to the Wizards on their well-deserved victory which takes them into 8^th position on 29 points, with Bridgend in 9^th on 26 and Pooler adrift at the bottom on 19 points. There are only two more games left in the regular league season before the play-offs start in mid-April. This has been a frustrating season for Pooler as they have not been consistent enough, so they will need to raise their game over the next two weeks to try to get some momentum going into the play-offs. The next match for Pontypool is their final home game of the season on Saturday when they welcome Llandovery to Pontypool Park for a 2.30pm kick-off. The last match will be on Thursday 9 April when Pontypool make the short trip to Rodney Parade to take on arch-rivals Newport, kick-off will be at 7.30pm.

Aberavon: Scott Delnevo, Frankie Jones, Ethan Bolch (replaced by Sam Matthews), Bradley Roderick (captain), Felix Gilbert (replaced by Cain Evans), Keillen Cullen, Scott Whitlock (replaced by Elis Horgan), Freddie Chapman (replaced by Jordan Walters), Saul Hurley (replaced by Luke Davies), Geraint James (replaced by Eli Cowan), Shay Smallman (replaced by Lewis Marsh), James Clegg (replaced by Zac Evans), Ben Gregory, Ellis Cox and Ashton Evans.

Pontypool: Ewan Rosser, Carrick McDonough (replaced by Ioan Duggan), Pat Lewis, Kieran Meek (captain), Marcus Jones, Harri Ford (replaced by Amosa Nove), Ellis Lewis, Kyan Best (replaced by Liam Newstead), Evan Wood (replaced by Aneurin James), Owen Popple (replaced by Kelvyn Williams), Joe Davies (replaced by Lance Randall), Buster Bodkin (replaced by Liam Antrobus), Dan Hill, Scott Matthews and Morgan Allen (replaced by Luke Daniel).