Pooler suffer heavy defeat up north

Pontypool made the long journey to the north Wales coast on Saturday to face RGC 1404 in Super Rygbi Cymru at Eirias Stadium in Colwyn Bay and came away with a heavy defeat, writes Ray Ruddick. RGC were much the better side and thoroughly deserved their victory. They looked dangerous with ball in hand and took their chances well while Pooler, once again failed to turn pressure into points as on several occasions were in good scoring positions close to the RGC line but couldn’t cross the whitewash.

There was a poignant moment before kick-off as tributes were paid to RGC player Jack Cameron Wynne Davies, who very sadly and tragically died recently at the young age of just 24. He made 10 appearances for RGC, and his debut was against Cardiff at Cardiff Arms Park on 9 September 2023. Pontypool captain for the day Kieran Meek and RGC co-captain Danny Cross each placed wreaths in front of the main stand near the half-way flag as did WRU President Terry Cobner on behalf of the Welsh Rugby Union. RGC’s other co-captain Sam Williams placed the jersey Jack wore in his last appearance for RGC next to the wreaths and there was a minute’s applause in Jack’s memory. The thoughts and deepest condolences from everyone at Pontypool RFC are with Jack’s family, friends and, of course, everyone at Rygbi Gogledd Cymru at this most difficult time.

The home side kicked off attacking the changing rooms end of the ground on a fine and pleasant afternoon. In the fifth minute RGC opened the scoring with a try by loose head prop Gareth Parry who barged over from short range, 10 metres in from the left corner, converted by outside half Billy McBryde (7-0). Midway through the first half the hosts were in possession in midfield and kicked ahead. The bouncing ball was gathered by wing Ieuan Cornelius and he passed inside to Dion Jones for the full back to race over for a try to the left of the posts. Billy McBryde again converted (14-0).

Six minutes later another chip ahead in midfield by the Gogs was again gathered by them and right wing Sam Jones scored a try under the posts. Billy McBryde made no mistake with the relatively easy conversion attempt (21-0). On the half hour, RGC scored their bonus-point try when centre Delwyn Jones crossed between the posts from close range. Again, Billy McBryde was successful with his fourth conversion of the afternoon (28-0). Pontypool were left with an uphill battle and in the 38^th minute they scored their opening try of the game when flanker Ben Williams crossed 15 metres in from the left corner, converted by centre Kieran Meek. Half time score – RGC 1404 28 Pontypool 7.

In the 48^th minute RGC again chipped ahead and this resulted in a try for the home side by hooker Osian Burt, converted by Billy McBryde (35-7). Pontypool flanker Luke Daniel then made way for Scott Matthews and in the 54^th minute Dan Hill replaced second row Buster Bodkin for the visitors. Two minutes later play was inside Pooler’s 22 and RGC were attacking when scrum half Tudur Jones went blind and scored in the left corner. Once again Billy McBryde was on target with a great conversion (42-7).

Just before the hour mark Pooler were on the attack inside RGC’s 22 and a long pass out wide to Marcus Jones and the left wing scored a try in the left corner, which was superbly converted by Kieran Meek (42-14). Then debutant Monty Jones replaced wing Rhys Cole in the Pooler side. Jones went to his customary position of scrum half and Ellis Lewis, who started at number 9, went on the right wing. Shortly after Pontypool made a further four changes with the starting front row of loose head prop George Tuckley, hooker Tiaan Hall and tight head prop Harri Rock being replaced by Tom Sims, Ben Williams (hooker) and Scott Crewe respectively and number eight Morgan Allen made way for Jake Sheppard.

With around 10 minutes left on the clock, the Gogs were in possession and play went right for Sam Jones to collect his try brace as he had the strength to touch down, 5 metres in from the corner. Billy McBryde kicked his seventh conversion out of seven attempts with another fine strike from wide out (49-14). In the final few minutes Pontypool were on the attack and chipped ahead, taking a leaf out of RGC’s book. The ball was gathered by replacement Jake Sheppard and he crossed for the final score of the game, 15 metres in from the left corner. This was the only try which went unconverted (49-19). Very late in the game, Pooler outside half Evan Lloyd took a nasty knock to the ankle and was helped from the field. He was replaced by another league debutant Joel Paterson. Final score – RGC 1404 49 Pontypool 19.

Congratulations to RGC on their fine win and a special mention to their outside half Billy Mc Bryde who bossed the game throughout. His kicking, both out of hand and from the tee, was superb. His out of hand kicking, whether little chips over the Pooler defence, long kicks to the corner or deep into Pooler territory led to some of his sides seven tries – and he kicked all seven conversions. For Pontypool, it was another disappointing performance as they seemed to be disjointed with little cutting edge, and they were outplayed by their opponents. The one positive for Pooler was that their discipline was much better than of late. The players and coaches will have a lot of work to do in training in the coming weeks if the team is to get back to winning ways. There is a break for a couple of weeks due to Wales playing in the new Nations Championship, so Pontypool’s next match in Super Rygbi Cymru will be on Saturday 21 November when traditional rivals Aberavon will be the welcome visitors to Pontypool Park in a basement battle with Pontypool currently one off the bottom in 9^th place and Aberavon occupying bottom spot. Kick off will be the usual 2.30pm.

RGC 1404: Dion Jones, Sam Jones, Danny Cross (co-captain, replaced by Afon Bagshaw), Delwyn Jones (replaced by Osian Llewelyn), Ieuan Cornelius, Billy McBryde, Tudur Jones (replaced by Niall Povall), Gareth Parry (replaced by Jessie Williams), Osian Burt (replaced by Jac Petch-Jones), Pedr Jones (replaced by Patrick Nelson), Harper Chamberlain (replaced by Tal Taylor), Will Kellett (replaced by Celt Ffransis-Roberts), Huw Davies, Dafydd Thirsk and Sam Williams (co-captain).

Pontypool: Carrick McDonough, Rhys Cole (replaced by Monty Jones), Pat Lewis, Kieran Meek (captain), Marcus Jones, Evan Lloyd (replaced by Joel Paterson), Ellis Lewis, George Tuckley (replaced by Tom Sims), Tiaan Hall (replaced by Ben Williams – hooker), Harri Rock (replaced by Scott Crewe), Buster Bodkin (replaced by Dan Hill), Liam Antrobus, Luke Daniel (replaced by Scott Matthews), Ben Williams (back row) and Morgan Allen (replaced by Jake Sheppard).