Pontypool edged out in lively derby with Blackwood (From Free Press Series)

Pontypool edged out in lively derby with Blackwood

12:14pm Thursday 25th October 2012 in Sport

BLACKWOOD 20 PONTYPOOL 13

A SPIRITED second-half fightback wasn’t enough to prevent Pontypool from going down to their fourth straight away defeat of the season.

Pooler, who found themselves 20-0 down with just over half the game played, tried manfully to stage a second-half recovery, scoring 13 unanswered points through tries by Ashley Norton and Dai Sandals and a penalty by full back Clayton Gullis, but it wasn’t enough.

There was a dramatic start at Glan-yr-Afon Park when Gullis’ relieving kick was charged down and home centre Rhodri Usher crossed for a first minute try, converted by outside half Josh Steer.

Soon after, Gullis missed a long-range penalty.

Pooler outside half, Sam Mills was yellow carded for tripping an opponent and Steer kicked the resulting penalty.

From a lineout near the Pontypool line, the home side stretched their lead, courtesy of a try by former Pooler flanker Rhys Watkins. The conversion failed and Blackwood led 15- 0 at the break.

Poor tackling resulted in Blackwood scoring their third try soon after the restart via captain and No.8 David Ford.

Blackwood then lost Steer, carried off on a stretcher with a nasty-looking injury.

The home side were penalised in their 22 for handling on the ground and another former Pooler player, second row Marc Williams, received a yellow card.

After a good break, captain Chris Macey fed fellow centre Norton who pirouetted out of a tackle to score Pooler’s first points of the afternoon. .

Blackwood received another yellow card when Watkins infringed in front of his own posts and Gullis kicked the penalty.

Good handling and passing by Pontypool No.8 Luke Dyckhoff created a try for right wing Sandals, but once again the conversion attempt went wide .

There was a long period of injury time but despite Pontypool’s best efforts, they could not get an equalising score though they came away with a bonus point.