Pontypool 8 Swansea 17

PONTYPOOL RFC welcomed traditional rivals Swansea to Pontypool Park in the SWALEC Championship as third took on second in a top-of-the-table encounter.

Pooler were hoping to build on the excellent win at Cardiff Met a fortnight previous, writes Ray Ruddick.

The early exchanges were even. However, when Pontypool tried to run out of defence, eventually the ball reached left wing Nathan Brooks whose chip ahead was charged down and centre Aled Jenkins scored a try with full back Nicky Thomas converting to put the All Whites in front (7-0). Pontypool then went on the attack in Swansea’s 22 with a driving maul. The ball went left and Brooks amended for his earlier mistake by crossing in the corner for a try. The conversion failed (7-5). Pooler loose head prop Jamie Jeune was replaced by club captain Ben Parry with Matthew Prosser moving across to prop to accommodate Parry at hooker.

Good inter-passing by the visitors led to their second try of the afternoon scored, under the posts, by loose head prop Tom Sloane, converted by Nicky Thomas (14-5). Just before half-time, Pooler were caught offside just inside their half in midfield and Thomas slotted the kick at goal (17-5).

At the start of the second period, tight head prop Dan Walker was replaced by Garin Harris. Just over five minutes into the second half and Swansea were penalised for a high tackle in midfield, 35 metres from their line but Tom Hancock’s attempt at goal went wide. Pooler made another change when Clayton Gullis replaced centre Dai Davies. The All Whites were guilty of straying offside again just inside their 22 slightly to the left of the posts and this time Hancock made no mistake with the shot at goal (17-8). Elliott Goodman made way for Richard Bromley in Pooler’s back row.

Then there was an anxious moment when Clayton Gullis lay on the ground and players of both teams alerted the referee. Gullis was eventually stretchered off but, thankfully, was up and about shortly after, suffering from a gash to the neck. He was replaced by Aaron Quick who went to scrum half and Sam Mills, who started the game at nine, went into the centre.

Near the end of the game Tom Sloane, one of Swansea’s try scorers, was yellow-carded for not rolling away 30 metres from their line but Hancock’s goal attempt went wide. Shortly after, Pooler’s replacement Richard Bromley was sin-binned for a similar offence in Pooler’s 22. There was no further scoring and Swansea, who was the better team on the day, deserved their victory by 17 points to 8.

Pooler are away next Saturday to Tata Steel. Kick-off is 2.30pm.

Pontypool: Josh Hurley, Chris Laing, Marc Thorley, Dai Davies (replaced by Clayton Gullis who was then replaced by Aaron Quick), Nathan Brooks, Tom Hancock, Sam Mills, Jamie Jeune (replaced by Ben Parry), Matthew Prosser, Dan Walker (replaced by Garin Harris), Matthew Thomas, Lee Williams, Elliott Goodman (replaced by Richard Bromley), Rob Nash (captain), Jordan Williams.

Pontypool scorers: Try by Nathan Brooks. Penalty by Tom Hancock.

Swansea scorers: Tries by Aled Jenkins and Tom Sloane. Conversions by Nicky Thomas (2). Penalty by Nicky Thomas.

Referee: Mr Stuart Kibble (Cardiff)