Impressive Pooler gained morale-boosting cup win over RGC

Pontypool went into the opening round-robin Super Rygbi Cymru cup game against RGC 1404 at Pontypool Park on Saturday on the back of a run of seven consecutive defeats with their last win way back on 18 October 2025 when they beat Bridgend 43-10 at the Park, writes Ray Ruddick. The home side were in determined mood to put some of the wrongs right and for an hour they looked comfortable and were the better side. The visitors fought their way back, but Pooler held on for a hard-fought and well-deserved victory.

RGC kicked off attacking the scoreboard end of the ground on a very wet, chilly and breezy afternoon with rain falling throughout the game, making conditions difficult for both sides. Pooler struck as early as in the third minute when the visitors were penalised in front of their posts, and outside half Harri Ford slotted the relatively easy goal (3-0). Four minutes later Pontypool were guilty of not releasing at a ruck, 35 metres from their goal line in midfield and visiting outside half Dion Jones brought the scores level with a successful shot at goal (3-3).

In the 25^th minute play was inside RGC’s half and Pooler centre Ioan Evans chipped through. Number eight Morgan Allen, who was making his 50^th appearance for Pontypool, dribbled along the left touchline. The ball went over the goal line, and he won the race to the touchdown, 5 metres in from the corner. The conversion attempt went narrowly wide (8-3). Seven minutes later Morgan Allen made a powerful burst up the centre of the field and a couple of passes later, hooker Sam Scarfe dived over for a try near the posts. Harri Ford added the extras (15-3). With five minutes to go to the interval, the Gogs’ scrum half Tudur Jones was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on, wide out on Pooler’s right. Half-time score – Pontypool 15 RGC 1404 3.

Ten minutes into the second period RGC were oenalised for not rolling away at a ruck just outside their 22 in front of the posts and Harri Ford increased his side’s advantage with another successful shot at goal (18-3). Pooler then made a couple of changes with Marcus Jones taking over from Louis Rees on the left wing and scrum half Logan Franklin was replaced by Morgan Lloyd. In the 64^th minute Morgan Allen was sin-binned for a trip just inside Pontypool’s 22. Then Pooler’s Dan Hill and Joel Mahoney replaced flanker Callum Davies and Ioan Evans.

A couple of minutes later the North Walians were on the attack inside Pooler’s 22 putting the home defence under pressure and, several phases later, replacement prop Gareth Parry barged over for a try, from close range to the left of the posts. Replacement outside half Billy McBryde converted (18-10). With just over ten minutes to go Pontypool’s complete front row was changed – loose head prop Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths was replaced by Jake Wisniewski, Evan Wood took over from Sam Scarfe and tight head prop Owain James made way for Kelvyn Williams. In the 72^nd minute Pooler’s captain and flanker Scott Matthews was shown the red card for foul play near the half-way line, after the referee had consulted with his assistant. Pooler’s final substitution was made with five minutes left when Morgan Allen did not return from his sin bin, so Ieuan Jones took the field instead. Pontypool made sure of the much-needed win when, in the second minute of time added on at the end of a highly competitive cup encounter, and final play, Harri Ford slotted a penalty kick from 30 metres out to the right of the posts. Final score – Pontypool 21 RGC 1404 10.

After a lay-off of a month, this was a much-improved performance by Pooler with the forwards putting in good shift. Pontypool had already lost to RGC twice this season, so it was good to get some revenge. There was a marked improvement in the scrums, lines-out and defence so well done to all concerned. Hopefully Pontypool can take this confidence into their next cup game, which is on Thursday, only a five-day turn round, when they make the short trip to Newport Stadium to take on their traditional rivals in a mouth-watering local derby against the Black and Ambers, kick-off will be at 7.30pm.

Pontypool: Ellis Davies, Carrick McDonough, Pat Lewis, Ioan Evans (replaced by Joel Mahoney), Louis Rees (replaced by Marcus Jones), Harri Ford, Logan Franklin (replaced by Morgan Lloyd), Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths (replaced by Jake Wisniewski), Sam Scarfe (replaced by Evan Wood), Owain James (replaced by Kelvyn Williams), Joe Davies, Liam Antrobus, Scott Matthews (captain), Callum Davies (replaced by Dan Hill) and Morgan Allen (replaced by Ieuan Jones).

RGC 1404: Caio Parry, Sam Jones, Danny Cross (co-captain), Delwyn Jones, Louis Williams, Dion Jones, Tudur Jones, Jessie Williams, Jac Petch-Jones, Patrick Nelson, Will Kellett, Tal Taylor, Celt Ffransis-Roberts, Dafydd Thirsk and Sam Williams (co-captain). Replacements: Osian Burt, Gareth Parry, Pedr Jones, Harper Chamberlain, Charlie Probert, Connor Dever, Billy McBryde and Gruff Llwyd.