Pooler snatched defeat from the jaws of victory – again
Not for the first time this season in a knock-out match, Pontypool snatched defeat from the jaws of victory when they travelled along the M4 to Carmarthen Park on Saturday to take on Carmarthen Quins in the wildcard round of the end of season play-offs in Super Rygbi Cymru, writes Ray Ruddick. It was the Super Rygbi Cymru Cup semi-final clash at Llandovery at the end of February when Pooler lost with the last kick of the game; Carmarthen Quins claimed a very late winner with last play to send Pooler home empty-handed and the visitors wondering what might have been, had their game management had been better.
Pontypool, in their changed strip of predominantly black, kicked off defending the Tesco end of the ground on a lovely spring afternoon. Carmarthen Quins opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a try wide out by right wing Iori Badham after a chase following a kick ahead (5-0). After a quarter-of-an-hour’s play, visiting captain Mike Herbert took a knock and he was replaced by Callum Davies. A minute later Pooler were penalised at a ruck, 5 metres inside their half in midfield and home outside half Steffan Jac Jones slotted the shot at goal (8-0). It took until the 28th minute for Pontypool to open their account when they were on the attack near the Quins’ goal line and the referee playing a Pooler advantage. After several drives towards the line, the home defence stood firm. Then the ball was released, play went right and centre Marcus Jones crashed over for a try near the posts, taking two defenders with him. Outside half Kieran Meek converted. There was no further scoring in a very tight first half and the home side went into the break with a slender one-point advantage. Half time score – Carmarthen Quins 8 Pontypool 7.
In the tenth minute of the second period Pooler were guilty of handling in a ruck, 35 metres from their goal line in midfield and Stefan Jac Jones kicked the penalty goal (11-7). Two minutes later Ellis Davies, the Pontypool full back was replaced by Harri Ford who went to outside half and Kieran Meek dropped to full back. In the 54th minute the home side extended their lead with a try to the left of the posts by hooker Lewis Morgan, converted by Steffan Jac Jones (18-7). Pontypool needed some fresh legs and made three changes in personnel when Jacke Wisniewski, Lance Randall and Ieuan Jones replaced Owen Popple, Liam Antrobus and Dan Hill respectively, with Jake Wisniewski going to loose head and Kyan Best moving over to tight head.
On the hour mark some great handling by Pontypool resulted in a second try by Marcus Jones, having received the inside pass from Carrick McDonough, when he touched down behind the posts and Kieran Meek added the extras to put the visitors only four points behind (18-14). Pooler then made more changes – in the 69th minute Aneurin James took over from hooker Sam Scarfe and five minutes later Kyan Best made way for Nathan Davies. In the 79th minute Pontypool were asking questions of the Quins defence and, with the referee playing a Pontypool advantage, number eight Scott Matthews picked up from close range and barged over for a try to the right of the posts and Kieran Meek slotted the conversion to put Pontypool into a three-point lead as the game went into injury time (18-21). In the first minute of added time Pat Lewis replaced Pooler’s left wing Carrick McDonough. Pat Lewis went to centre and Marcus Jones moved onto the wing for the final tense three minutes. In the 84th and final minute of this close encounter Pooler had possession with a free kick awarded to them in midfield near the half-way line. They chose to kick a high up and under towards the home 22, giving possession away, and eventually home centre Jac Howells crossed for the winning score when he touched down for a try near the posts. Steffan Jac Jones added the extra two points to give Carmarthen Quins victory, much to the dismay of the Pooler players, coaches, back-room staff and the many loyal supporters who made the journey west. Final score – Carmarthen Quins 25 Pontypool 21.
Congratulations to Carmarthen Quins on their victory and best wishes to them for their play-off quarter-final clash with Cardiff at Cardiff Arms Park this coming Saturday. For Pontypool it was a disappointing end to an overall disappointing season. After finishing in the top half of the table the previous two seasons on the club’s return to Welsh rugby’s top flight of club rugby, it had been hoped that the club could improve and finish in the top 4 but it wasn’t to be. Defeating Llandovery in their last home match of the season, meant that Pontypool have now beaten every team at least once in the division since their return to the top table of Welsh club rugby three seasons ago.
Much frustration and lack of consistency would sum up Pooler’s season with some good victories and very close defeats as well as a few heavy losses. In what turned out to be a well-contested season by the 10 clubs, all the teams could beat each other so it was just a matter of who would be the most consistent throughout. A big thank you to the players, coaches, medical and support staff, volunteers, supporters, sponsors, Peter Jeffreys and anyone else who has, in any way, helped the club throughout this campaign. Enjoy the summer break and we look forward to next season, starting with some pre-season friendlies in August.
Carmarthen Quins: Ioan Jones, Iori Badham, Jac Howells, Gabe McDonald, Tomi Lewis, Steffan-Jac Jones, Rhodri Lewis, Ifan James, Lewis Morgan, Connor Allen, Tom Phillips, Ryan Bean, Iestyn Richards, Shaun Evans (captain) and Lewys Millin. Replacements – Isaac Young, Gruff Williams, Yestyn Cook, Iestyn Wood, Dylan Rowe, Rhodri Davies, Eilir George and Callum Woolley.
Pontypool: Ellis Davies (replaced by Harri Ford), Ioan Duggan, Marcus Jones, Joel Mahoney, Carrick McDonough (replaced by Pat Lewis), Kieran Meek, Ellis Lewis, Kyan Best (replaced by Nathan Davies), Sam Scarfe (replaced by Aneurin James), Owen Popple (replaced by Jake Wisniewski), Joe Davies, Liam Antrobus (replaced by Lance Randall), Dan Hill (replaced by Ieuan Jones), Mike Herbert (captain, replaced by Callum Davies) and Scott Matthews.
