Mixture of styles delights Jones

Leighton Jones was pleased to see his players able to mix it up as they secured a deserved bonus-point victory over Carmarthen Quins in the Indigo Premiership.

Pooler showcased their expansive style of rugby but also displayed their power game, direct running and finishing from the tee.

That resulted in five very different tries that saw both forwards and backs on the scoresheet.

It was a fast start at Pontypool Park as two Matthew Jarvis penalties and a converted Huw Anderson try – latching onto Morgan Lloyd’s kick – saw Pooler fly into the lead.

Rhodri Davies pulled the Quins back into the game before Jarvis struck another penalty and a driving lineout pushed Sam Scarfe over the whitewash.

An interception try from Jac Wilson reduced the deficit but a free-flowing move ended with Joel Mahoney diving over shortly before the break.

Lewis Millin grabbed an early score for Quins after the restart but Pooler were undeterred.

Walker Price dived over in the corner for his first try, and the bonus point, before Callum Davies powered his way through the crowd to grab a try at the death. Those tries were sandwiched between a fourth Jarvis penalty.

“There was a mix of tries between the forwards and backs and it was nice to see that full game where we come around the corner, we catch and drive and let the backs loose a bit,” said head coach Jones.

“All round with the weather and the ground looking as good as it did, it was nice to see that performance of mixed rugby.

“There are always work-ons, in the second half we gave away a bit more territory and possession that we would like but Carmarthen are a decent team that is coached very well.

“The boys put a big shift in and deserved the scoreline to be like it was.”

Jarvis continued his fine form from the tee with a total of 20 points to his name, consisting of four conversions and four penalties.

The outside half struck 16 penalties in 27 games last season but already has 12 in just four appearances in this campaign.

“This league is a lot tougher and the opposition are a lot tougher than most of last year’s teams so it’s been a conscious decision as a group that if it is on offer then let’s build a lead and put pressure on teams,” explained Jones.

“The way he [Jarvis] is kicking that is always going to happen.

“He has kept that scoreboard ticking over and has kept the pressure on them with his boot.”