A game of two halves in the capital

It was certainly a game of two contrasting halves at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday evening in Super Rygbi Cymru as Cardiff raced into a commanding 43-5 lead at half-time only for there to be a pointless second half, writes Ray Ruddick. Cardiff were slick and fast, with accurate passing and good support play as they racked up seven tries in the opening 40 minutes. Pontypool struggled to live with Cardiff in all aspects of the game in the first half, as gaps were appearing in the visitors’ defence at regular intervals and the home side took full advantage. However, the second half was completely different with many changes made to both sides, Pontypool’s defence tightened up and, although Cardiff still dominated territory in the second period, Pooler held firm and didn’t concede a point after a nightmare first half.

Pontypool kicked off attacking the clubhouse end of the ground on a fine evening although a few spots of rain fell towards the end of the first half but didn’t come to much. Cardiff started well and in the second minute they broke out of their half and loose head prop Ioan Emanuel scored a try which was converted by outside half Ben Coomer (7-0). Six minutes later the home side were on the attack, moving the ball well and right wing Joe Goodchild crossed for an unconverted try, 15 metres in from the right corner (12-0). In the 15^th minute Cardiff were again on the offensive and hooker Tom Howe scored a try to the right of the posts from close range. This score was converted by Ben Coomer (19-0). The home side’s bonus-point try was scored in the 19^th minute when, from a lineout close to the Pooler goal line, tight head prop Tom Harper scored in the left corner. The conversion attempt failed (24-0).

The attacks just kept coming from the capital city men as only four minutes later flanker Gethyn Cannon crossed for a try, 10 metres in from the left corner which Ben Coomer majorized (31-0). Pooler’s captain for the night Connor Edwards took a knock and he was replaced by Ellis Davies so there were changes made to the back line with Davies going to full back, Carrick McDonough to left wing and Marcus Jones moved from wing to centre. In the 26^th minute, having been on the receiving end of Cardiff’s wave of attacks, Pooler were enjoying a rare visit to the home 22 when flanker Ryan Jones scored a try from close range, 10 metres in from the right corner. The conversion attempt, however, struck the right upright (31-5). Then for about 10 minutes there was no scoring until the 36^th minute when Cardiff ran the ball at the Pooler defence and Ben Coomer went through a gap to score a try to the left of the posts and he duly converted (38-5). Pooler then made changes in the front row with loose head prop Tom Sims making way for George Tuckley and Owen Popple took over from Scott Crewe at tight head. |Just before half time, Cardiff scored their seventh try of the match when Ioan Emanuel grabbed his second from close range, but the conversion attempt went wide. Half time score – Cardiff 43 Pontypool 5.

There was much to discuss in the Pooler changing room at the interval as this did not look good and they may well have been facing a club record defeat, if the first half was anything to go by, so a few strong words needed to be said. Whatever words were spoken had the desired effect because they came out for the second half in more determined mood and there was a marked improvement in their performance and kept Cardiff out, which deserves praise. At the start of the second half both Pooler second rows were changed – Dan Bassett and Liam Antrobus were replaced by Lance Randall and Mike Herbert. Dan Hill moved from flanker to second row to partner Randall and Herbert slotted into Pooler’s back row. At the same time Rhys Williams made way for Tiaan Hall in the middle of the Pooler front row. In the 54^th minute Owen Popple injured his arm, so Scott Crewe returned to the field and just after the hour mark Ryan Jones made way for Luke Daniel. Final score in a quite remarkable game – Cardiff 43 Pontypool 5.

Many congratulations to Cardiff on a fine performance and a well-deserved victory. The quality of their play in the first half was quite something in terms of speed, accuracy and support play. Pontypool have now conceded 134 points and 22 tries in their first three league games, so much work is required on their defence, particularly in the first half of matches as the last two games they shipped 79 points in the first period, so the coaches will be busy at training in the coming week. Pontypool’s next match will be on Saturday when they welcome RGC 1404 to Pontypool Park and the kick-off will be the usual 2.30pm.

Cardiff: Sonny Greenman, Joe Goodchild, Tom Williams, Isaac Marsh, Dewi Cross, Ben Coomer, Sion Davies, Ioan Emanuel, Tom Howe, Tom Harper, Tom Cottle, Sean Moore (captain), Gethyn Cannon, Alfie Prygodzicz and Lucas de la Rua. Replacements: Alun Rees, Harry Fry, Louis Fletcher, Kobi Rees, Kian Lloyd, Ethan Lloyd, Jason Harries and Iwan Prys-Jones.

Pontypool: Carrick McDonough, Ioan Dugan, Joel Mahoney, Connor Edwards (captain, replaced by Ellis Davies), Marcus Jones, Kieran Meek, Ellis Lewis, Tom Sims (replaced by George Tuckley), Rhys Williams (replaced by Tiaan Hall), Scott Crewe (replaced by Owen Popple, who was then replaced by the returning Scott Crewe), Dan Bassett (replaced by Lance Randall), Liam Antrobus (replaced by Mike Herbert), Dan Hill, Ryan Jones (replaced by Luke Daniel) and Ben Williams.