Pooler’s good workout against their near neighbours in the heat

Pontypool welcomed local and traditional rivals Newbridge to Pontypool Park on Saturday for the first time in almost eight years for this, the second of Pooler’s three pre-season friendlies, writes Ray Ruddick. It was a thoroughly entertaining encounter with both sides looking to move the ball.

Pontypool kicked off attacking the bandstand end of the ground on a very hot afternoon in mid-August. In the 8^th minute the home side were on the attack inside their visitors’ 22 and scrum half Ellis Lewis managed to get over for the opening score of the afternoon, 10 metres in from the right corner. The conversion attempt failed (5-0). Six minutes later Newbridge were on the attack near the Pooler goal line on the terracing side of the ground but an interception by full back Ewan Rosser put the speedster away and he raced the full length of the field to score under the posts. Outside half Evan Lloyd converted (12-0).

In the 28^th minute Pooler were on the offensive outside Newbridge’s 22 and eventually captain-for-the-day, centre Connor Edwards, received the scoring pass from second row Dan Bassett to touch down under the posts. Evan Lloyd made no mistake with the conversion (19-0). In the 40^th minute Pooler had a scrum feed inside the Newbridge 22 to the right of the posts. The ball reached Evan Lloyd who scored an unconverted try, 15 metres in from the right corner (24-0). In the sixth minute of added time at the end of a competitive first half a Newbridge player was yellow-carded for an offence close to their line. From the resulting penalty, number eight Jake Sheppard barged his way over the line from close range to the left of the posts. Evan Lloyd added the extras to make the half-time score Pontypool 31 Newbridge 0.

Newbridge started the second half well and in the 48^th minute opened their account with a good try, 15 metres in from the left corner. The conversion attempt was missed (31-5). Then, five minutes later the visitors scored again with a try from close range after putting the Pooler defence under pressure. Again, the conversion attempt was unsuccessful (31-10). On 55 minutes play was in the visitors’ 22 and a loose pass by Newbridge was gathered by replacement centre Lewis Appleby who scored Pooler’s sixth try of the match under the posts. Replacement outside half Kieran Meek converted (38-10).

On the hour, a good build-up by the home side and replacement scrum half Carter Pritchard was in the clear to score a try under the posts. Kieran Meek added another two points from the tee (45-10). With about 10 minutes remaining, Pontypool were again on the attack deep in Newbridge territory and second row replacement Liam Antrobus powered over for an unconverted try wide out on the left (50-10). To their credit Newbridge kept going and were rewarded with their third try when they chipped ahead and won the race to the touch down near the left corner. All three of Newbridge’s tries went unconverted (50-15). In last play, the action was again inside the visitors’ 22 and a cross kick to the left corner was collected by Evan Lloyd who touched down in the corner for an unconverted try. Final score – Pontypool 55 Newbridge 15.

This was a very good exercise for both clubs and both will take a few positives, but plenty to work on. For Pooler, several young players showed some promise. In fact, the oldest starting player in the Pooler pack was loose head prop Joel Patterson who is only 22. The backs looked dangerous at times and gave the ball plenty of air. For Newbridge, it was a plucky performance and they never gave up, so well done to them and very best wishes for a successful season in the Welsh Premiership. Pontypool’s final pre-season friendly will be on Saturday when they entertain Cinderford, from the Forest of Dean, at Pontypool Park and the kick-off will be the usual 2.30pm. The first game in Super Rygbi Cymru will be on Saturday 12 September when current champions Llandovery will visit Pontypool Park. The kick-off for this match will be at 5.15pm as it will be televised live on S4C.

There was a bucket collection at the match for those people from Pantside who so tragically lost their homes and belongings due to fire three days previous, which realised £497.60.

Pontypool starting XV: Ewan Rosser, Carrick McDonough, Marcus Jones, Connor Edwards (captain), Aneurin Patterson, Evan Lloyd, Ellis Lewis, Joel Patterson, Tomoya Adachi, Scott Crewe, Buster Bodkin, Dan Bassett, Luke Daniel, Iwan Dark and Jake Sheppard. Also played: Ben Williams (hooker), Tom Sims, Harri Rock, Liam Antrobus, Lance Randall, Scott Matthews, Dan Hill, Lewis Appleby, Kieran Meek, Carter Pritchard and Morgan Carter.