Ystrad Rhondda 14 Pontypool 43

Pooler impress in first pre-season friendly against tough Ystrad

It is great to be back in the new rugby season as Pontypool made the journey to the Rhondda Valley on Saturday to take on Ystrad Rhondda at Gelligaled Park in the first of three pre-season friendlies, writes Ray Ruddick. South Wales had experienced some very hot weather over the past month or so; the ground was hard but playable.

Pooler supporters may remember three very tough clashes with Ystrad Rhondda back in the 2022-2023 season when Pooler managed to win their home league game with a very late penalty try and defeated their Rhondda opponents in the final of the Championship Cup at the Principality Stadium. However, the match that will stick in the memory for many a long year was the end of season rearranged league game at Gelligaled Park when, after Pooler controlled the ball for over three-and-a-half minutes in added time at the end of a pulsating game, outside half that evening, Dai Langdon, dropped that all-important goal that maintained Pontypool’s 100% record and they finished the season winning all 30 games played.

Anyway, back to the pre-season friendly, which was played in three 25-minute sections, and a large crowd saw Ystrad kick off, defending the railway end of the ground on a warm and very pleasant afternoon, with Pontypool wearing their changed strip of predominantly black. Pooler struck the first blow as early as the second minute when they broke out of defence and number eight and skipper Scott Matthews gave the scoring pass to full back Carrick McDonough who dashed over for the first try of the season in the right corner. Outside half Ellis Davies converted (0-7). Seven minutes later the home team replied with a converted try from close range near the posts (7-7). After a quarter-of-an-hour’s play Pooler went on the attack from a lineout and the ball reached new recruit Ben Williams. The flanker took it at speed and raced over for a try in the left corner. The conversion attempt failed (7-12).

In the third minute of the second period Pooler extended their lead with Carrick McDonough’s second try when he touched down for an unconverted try wide out on the right (7-17). Soon after he was shown a yellow card for handling the ball on the ground near Pooler’s goal line. After a period of pressure Ystrad deservedly scored their second try of the game near the posts which was improved on with a successful conversion (14-17). In the last minute of the second period Pontypool added a fourth try from close range when Ben Williams got over for his second try near the posts but the relatively easy conversion was missed (14-22).

Early in the final period Pontypool’s powerful driving maul near the Ystrad line resulted in a try, to the left of the posts, for replacement prop Scott Crewe and replacement outside half Ethan Patterson goaled (14-29). Very soon after the ball went loose and Pooler kicked ahead. Speedster Carrick McDonough got to the ball and kicked on and won the race to the touchdown, for his try hat trick, 15 metres in from the left corner. Ethan Patterson slotted the conversion (14-36). Half way through the final period visiting replacement flanker Luke Daniel was sin-binned for not retreating 10 metres after Ystrad took a quick tap penalty near the Pooler goal line. In the dying minutes of a tough workout for Pooler, they were on the attack inside Ystrad’s 22 and experienced centre Pat Lewis dived over for a try to the right of the posts. Ethan Patterson converted to make the final score Ystrad Rhondda 14 Pontypool 43.

This was a very good work out for Pontypool and some individuals shone with some skillful play. There seems to be a good team spirit and togetherness in the Pooler camp which augurs well for the challenging season ahead. Well done to Ystrad on a strong performance and very best wishes to them in the Welsh Premiership. Pontypool’s next pre-season friendly will be on Saturday when the welcome visitors to Pontypool Park will be near neighbours and local rivals Newbridge, kick-off will be the usual 2.30pm. Then the following Saturday (22 August) Cinderford, from the Forest of Dean, will travel to Pontypool Park for Pooler’s third and final pre-season friendly. Again, the kick-off will be at 2.30pm.

Pontypool starting XV: Carrick McDonough, Ioan Duggan, Pat Lewis, Connor Edwards, Rhys Cole, Ellis Davies, Cai Wardman, Jake Wisniewski, Tomoya Adachi, Harri Rock, Joe Davies, Buster Bodkin, Dan Hill, Ben Williams and Scott Matthews (captain). Also played: Ben Williams (hooker), Scott Crewe, Owen Popple, Dan Bassett, Dylan Pennell, Lance Randall, Jake Sheppard, Luke Daniel, Iwan Dark, Carter Pritchard, Ethan Patterson, Daf Lloyd and Lewis Appleby.