First-half performance delights Matthews

Scott Matthews was pleased with a dominant first-half display against Cardiff Met RFC but was frustrated as loose kicking allowed the Archers back into the game after the break.

Pooler held a strong advantage at the half time thanks to converted tries from Garin Price, Darren Hughes and Ashley Sweet while they were able to deal with the opportunities that the hosts created at Cyncoed Campus.

However, less than a minute into the second half a loose kick ended with Evan McVeigh going over to bring the students back into the game.

“I thought we started the game very well, which put us in good stead for the rest of the game,” explained Matthews.

“The way we started the second half wasn’t ideal. It was one mistake and they capitalised on it and that’s the thing with these boys, they are fit, young and keen so one mistake and they can capitalise on it.

"We said the thing they were really hurting us on was loose kicks.

“I thought our set piece was dominant throughout but when we were kicking loose, we needed to get a better chase.

“We continued to kick loose, which didn’t help us and then they scored two tries from there so I think that was the main difference but we realised to put our foot on the ball and slow it down and rebuild.

“We wanted less phases in our own half, more phases in the opposition half and at times we didn’t do that in the second half but the times that we did, we did come away with points, which was pleasing.”

Mike Herbert hit back almost instantly but a converted score from Roma Zheng pulled the Archers back into the game.

Matthew Jarvis struck a penalty but again the hosts came back, this time through Joe Locke.

Jarvis hit another three-pointer before Ethan Davies made the points safe at the death.

“I thought we managed the physicality very well, it’s nice to see Pontypool looking as physical as ever and we scored some really nice tries ourselves,” added the captain.