Pooler’s late comeback in vain as Bridgend hit 50

What a difference in performance a week makes for Pontypool Rugby Football Club, writes Ray Ruddick. The previous Saturday Pooler celebrated a fantastic home win over reigning Super Rygbi Cymru champions Llandovery while this Saturday, they welcomed old friends and traditional rivals Bridgend to Pontypool Park and the visitors raced into a 36-14 half-time lead. Pontypool staged a comeback in the second half but it was too little too late as Bridgend scored a try with the final move of the game to seal victory to record 50 points against Pooler for the second successive time, the Ravens won 50-27 at the Brewery Field when the clubs last met back in March.

Pontypool kicked off attacking the scoreboard end of the ground on a damp but fine September afternoon. In the third minute Bridgend were on the attack deep inside Pooler’s half and after a poor Pooler throw-in at a lineout, the visitors gained possession and play went right for right wing Ben Evans to cross for a try in the corner. Full back Fraser Jones converted with a fine kick (0-7). Four minutes later the Ravens were on the attack again inside Pooler’s 22 and, from a penalty, a kick to the corner and a driving maul, flanker and captain Thomas Jevons scored an unconverted try in the right corner (0-12). In the 14^th minute Pooler got on the scoreboard when, after several drives, second row Liam Antrobus barged over for a try to the left of the posts, converted by outside half Evan Lloyd (7-12). Bridgend fought back and in the 18^th minute they were pressing near the Pooler line following a break when home scrum half Ellis Lewis prevented quick ball and he was sin-binned. A minute later, Bridgend found a hole in the home defence and left wing McCauley Rowley darted over for a try to the left of the posts, converted by Fraser Jones (7-19).

In the 23^rd minute Bridgend tapped back from a lineout near half-way and the ball went loose. Visiting outside half Ben Burnell gained possession and passed to centre Ryan Wilkins who took the ball at speed and sprinted 35 metres to score his side’s bonus-point try to the left of the posts, which went unconverted (7-24). Three minutes later Bridgend broke again and McCauley Rowley scored a try near the posts which Fraser Jones converted (7-31). Pontypool were too loose and shaky in defence, allowing Bridgend opportunities which they took. However, just before the half hour mark the home side got back into the game with a try near the posts by captain and flanker Scott Mattherws from close range, converted by Evan Lloyd (14-31). Ryan Jones then replaced number eight Morgan Allen in the Pontypool back row as Allen left the field with a bleeding nose, with Jones going to flanker and Scott Matthews to number eight. Five minutes before the interval home full back Ewan Rosser limped off and was replaced by Kieran Meek who slotted into outside half while Evan Lloyd dropped to full back. Just before the interval, play was inside Pooler’s 22 and with Bridgend playing with confidence and putting width on the ball, play went left for centre Ryan Conbeer to squeeze over in the corner for an unconverted try (14-36). Then Owen Popple made way for Scott Crewe at tight head prop for the hosts. Half-time score – Pontypool 14 Bridgend 36.

Pontypool had a mountain to climb in the second period; 22 points adrift so needed a good start to the second half. In the 47^th minute play was inside Bridgend’s half with Pooler in possession. Home left wing Carrick McDonough made a break and the ball reached Ellis Lewis on the left who spun out of a tackle to score a try 15 metres in from the left corner. Evan Lloyd added the extras (21-36). McDonough then left the field and Ioan Duggan took his place. Four minutes later Pooler second row Joe Davies made way for Dan Hill and after 59 minutes, Carter Pritchard took over from Ellis Lewis. On the hour mark Bridgend were attacking inside Pooler’s 22 and good hands by the visitors resulted in a try by Ben Evans who ran round to touch down behind the posts with Fraser Jones slotting the relatively easy conversion (21-43). After 63 minutes Pontypool made a couple of changes in the front row with loose head prop Jake Wisniewski making way for Tom Sims and Tomoya Adachi took over from Tiaan Hall at hooker.

In the 69^th minute replacement Iestyn Merriman was yellow-carded for Bridgend’s persistent offending near their goal line. Four minutes later Pontypool were putting the Bridgend defence under pressure and eventually Dan Hill scored Pontypool's bonus-point try, 10 metres in from the left corner. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful and Ben Burnell was sin-binned (26-43). Pontypool now had a two-player advantage but time was running out. In the 79^th minute Pontypool were on the attack inside the Ravens’ 22 and with defence becoming more difficult for the visitors, Evan Lloyd dived over in the right corner for an unconverted try (31-43). In the second minute of added time Pooler on the offensive again and wing Rhys Cole, who switched wings when Ioan Duggan came on to the field, crossed for a try, 10 metres in from the left corner, converted by Evan Lloyd (38-43). There was still time for the re-start. Pooler gathered but lost control and Bridgend won turnover ball inside the home 22 resulting in McCauley Rowley scored his try hat trick in the right corner, which Fraser Jones converted to make the final score Pontypool 38 Bridgend 50.

Congratulations to Bridgend on their thoroughly deserved victory as they took advantage of Pooler’s mistakes. The Ravens’ forwards fronted up well and their backs looked dangerous as it was very much a team effort. As for Pontypool, it was a bad day at the office – a very disappointing showing as they made too many errors and missed numerous first-up tackles thus putting Bridgend on the front foot. Pooler’s discipline was poor, particularly in the first half, conceding many penalties, but it improved in the second. They have leaked 15 tries and 91 points in the first two home league matches, so will have to tighten up on their defence if they are to be challenging for a top four spot at the end of the season. The coaches will have much work to do in training during the coming week to address these issues. Pontypool’s next game in Super Rygbi Cymru will be Friday evening with a trip to the capital to take on Cardiff at Cardiff Arms Park, kick-off will be at 7.30pm.

Pontypool: Ewan Rosser (replaced by Kieran Meek), Rhys Cole, Joel Mahoney, Connor Edwards, Carrick McDonough (replaced by Ioan Duggan), Evan Lloyd, Ellis Lewis (replaced by Carter Pritchard), Jake Wisniewski (replaced by Tom Sims), Tiaan Hall (replaced by Tomoya Adachi), Owen Popple (replaced by Scott Crewe), Joe Davies (replaced by Dan Hill), Liam Antrobus, Scott Matthews (captain), Ben Williams and Morgan Allen (replaced by Ryan Jones).

Bridgend: Fraser Jones, Ben Evans, Ryan Conbeer (replaced by Dan O’Sullivan), Ryan Wilkins (replaced by Cameron Ellis), McCauley Rowley, Ben Burnell, Harvey Nash (replaced by Nick Fisk-Jones), Harry Olding (replaced by Alex George), McKenzie Scales, Nathan Evans (replaced by Callum Donoghue-Proud), James Richards (replaced by Kyle Harris), Lewis Jones, Ioan Davies (replaced by Iestyn Merriman), Thomas Jevons (captain) and Benji Williams.