So near yet so far for plucky Pooler

It was a very frustrating afternoon for Pontypool at the Electric Brewery Field on Saturday when they faced Bridgend in the Super Rygbi Cymru, writes Ray Ruddick. Pontypool were in the lead as the game approached injury time when the Ravens scored what was their winning try. Pooler could have snatched it at the end with last play with a try in the corner, but the ball was knocked on in the tackle in the act of scoring and Pooler came away narrowly defeated but with two bonus points.

Pontypool kicked off defending the scoreboard end of the ground in their changed strip of predominantly black on a dry and fine afternoon. Pontypool made the early running but could not get past a solid Bridgend defence. In the 13^th minute the referee was playing a Bridgend advantage with play inside Pooler’s 22. Bridgend were in possession and play went right for wing Ben Evans to squeeze over in the corner for an unconverted try (5-0). On 19 minutes Bridgend were penalised in midfield on their 22. Pooler kicked to the right corner and from the driving maul, hooker Sam Scarfe scored a try, 10 metres in from the corner. Centre Kieran Meek converted (5-7).

Seven minutes later Bridgend broke through the visitors’ defence and Ben Evans scored his second try of the match in the right corner. The conversion attempt failed (10-7). In the 34^th minute the referee was playing a Pontypool advantage inside the home 22 and, after several drives towards the home goal line, the ball reached Kieran Meek who put in a lovely grubber kick which was gathered by his fellow centre Joel Mahoney who scored a try under the posts which Meek converted (10-14). Four minutes later the Ravens were on the offensive and a catch and drive from a lineout close to Pontypool’s goal line resulted in a try by centre Ryan Wilkins, 10 metres in from the right corner. This score was converted by full back Fraser Jones. Half time score – Bridgend 17 Pontypool 14.

In the fifth minute of the second half Bridgend extended their lead when, from a penalty, lineout, catch and drive, home hooker McKenzie Scales scored his side’s bonus-point try, 15 metres in from the right corner. Fraser Jones added the extras (24-14). Four minutes later back came Pooler who went on the attack inside Bridgend’s 22. The ball reached Joel Mahoney who crossed for a try under the posts, converted by Kieran Meek (24-21). Pontypool then made three changes – Connor Edwards, George Tuckley and Morgan Allen replaced Joel Mahoney, loose head prop Jake Wisniewski and second row Liam Antrobus respectively. Soon after, Lance Randall made way for Joe Davies in Pooler’s second row. Approaching the hour mark Pontypool were applying pressure near the Ravens’ line and, several drives later, Sam Scarfe picked up and barged his way over for his brace to the left of the posts, and thus securing Pooler’s try bonus point. Meek added the extras (24-28).

With just over 15 minutes remaining, all action flanker Ben Williams was replaced by Ryan Jones for Pontypool. A minute later play was outside Pontypool’s 22 and a lovely chip by home outside half Ben Burnell was gathered by him and he offloaded to the supporting Ryan Wilkins who scored a try to the left of the posts. Fraser Jones slotted the conversion (31-28). Pooler then made two more changes with Ellis Lewis taking over from Morgan Lloyd at scrum half and Sam Scarfe, who had another good game, made way for Tiaan Hall. In the 76^th minute Bridgend’s replacement tight head prop Nathan Evans was yellow carded for an offence near the Bridgend line. Pooler were awarded a penalty and a kick to the left corner, then a driving lineout gave Tiaan Hall his first try for the club, when he touched down 10 metres in from the flag. This score went unconverted (31-33). There was still a twist in this enthralling encounter when in the 80^th minute the home side were on the attack following their penalty near half-way, put them on the front foot inside Pooler’s 22. A cross kick to the left was picked up by replacement Ioan Davies who scored near the posts. Fraser Jones converted (38-33). The game was not over as there was still time for the restart and Pontypool kept ball in hand inside the Ravens’ half in an attempt to breach the home defence and get a try which would have tied the score and a conversion to win. Play went from side to side and eventually the ball reached right wing Rhys Cole who had the goal line in his sights. He dived in the corner and in the process, was tackled and knocked on as he was about to score – unfortunate from a Pontypool point of view but well done to Bridgend for a match-saving tackle. Cole was injured in the tackle and was stretchered off as a precaution but recovered later. Final score – Bridgend 38 Pontypool 33.

Congratulations to Bridgend on their hard-fought victory as they took their chances well when presented to them. As for Pontypool, it was so near yet so far as the players put so much effort and hard work into this game, they could have and possibly should have won. Again, it was unforced errors and penalties that proved Pooler’s downfall in another of these tight games. The result could have gone either way as the lead changed hands several times. It was an entertaining match played in a good spirit by two evenly matched teams – a great advert for Super Rygbi Cymru. What better way for Pontypool to return to winning ways than next Saturday when they welcome traditional local rivals, the Black and Ambers of Newport to Pontypool Park in what promises to be a mouth-watering derby. Kick off will be the usual 2.30pm.

Bridgend: Fraser Jones, Ben Evans, Ryan Wilkins, Ryan Conbeer, Gabe Lacey (replaced by Cameron Ellis), Ben Burnell, Nick Fisk-Jones (replaced by Harvey Nash), Harry Olding (replaced by Marc Thomas), McKenzie Scales (replaced by Dom Manaseitava), Callum Donoghue-Proud (replaced by Nathan Evans), Alfie Thomas, James Richards (replaced by Ioan Davies), Thomas Jevons (co-captain), Zac O’Driscoll (co-captain, replaced by Morgan Boobyer) and Benji Williams.

Pontypool: Carrick Mc Donough, Rhys Cole, Joel Mahoney (replaced by Connor Edwards), Kieran Meek, Marcus Jones, Evan Lloyd, Morgan Lloyd (replaced by Ellis Lewis), Jake Wisniewski (replaced by George Tuckley), Sam Scarfe (replaced by Tiaan Hall), Harri Rock, Lance Randall (replaced by Joe Davies), Liam Antrobus (replaced by Morgan Allen), Dan Hill, Ben Williams (replaced by Ryan Jones) and Scott Matthews (captain).