The previous Saturday saw Pontypool ship seven tries and 61 points in a high-scoring defeat against RGC 1404 in North Wales but, with a much improved showing on October 5 in the return match at Pontypool Park, Pooler deservedly came away with a bonus-point victory in Super Rygbi Cymru.
Pontypool kicked off attacking the scoreboard end.
In the third minute RGC were guilty of a deliberate knock-on just outside their 22.
Pooler kicked for the left corner and from the ensuing driving lineout, second row Ieuan Jones powered over for an unconverted try (5-0).
Three minutes later RGC replied with a try by flanker Ethan Fackrell, converted by outside half Billy McBryde (5-7).
In the 13th minute Pooler were caught offside inside their 22 and in front of the posts. Billy McBryde made no mistake in extending his side’s lead with the successful shot at goal (5-10).
Within a minute Pontypool's number eight Morgan Allen made a powerful run to take play into the visitors’ 22. The ball was recycled and second row Dan Hill drove over, with a little help from two of his fellow forwards, to score a try. Outside half Kieran Meek added the extras to restore Pooler’s advantage (12-10).
Half way through the first half the North Walians were penalised at a ruck, 30 metres from their line in midfield and Kieran Meek slotted the goal (15-10).
In the 25th minute home scrum half Matthew Flanagan was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock on near the home 10-metre line, five metres in from touch but the attempt at goal went wide.
Pontypool were penalised at a ruck, eight metres inside RGC’s half in midfield and up stepped full back Sam Earl-Jones who kicked a huge goal (15-13).
With about five minutes remaining in the first period, Pontypool were on the attack inside the Gogs’ 22 and, after several drives towards the opposition goal line, hooker Connor Chapman barged over for a try, his first for the club, with Kieran Meek converting (22-13).
On 40 minutes, play was inside RGC’s 22 with Pooler in possession on their right and the ball went left.
It reached Joel Mahoney who took it on the burst and the centre crossed for his team’s bonus-point try under the posts. Kieran Meek converted to make the half-time score Pontypool 29 RGC 1404 13.
At the start of the second half, Pat Lewis replaced centre Amosa Nove for Pontypool.
RGC started strongly and within two minutes scored their second try of the afternoon when captain and centre Danny Cross found a gap near the home 10-metre line and he crossed for a try to the right of the posts. Billy McBryde kicked the conversion (29-20).
In the 46th minute loose head prop Kyan Best made way for Sam Cochrane. Six minutes later the visitors were guilty of not releasing on their 10-metre line in midfield and Kieran Meek added another three points from the tee (32-20).
In the last quarter there were many changes on both sides which disrupted the flow of the game.
In the first minute of injury time Pontypool were awarded a penalty but the attempt at goal fell short. Five minutes later and deep into added time, RGC were guilty of an offence at a scrum, eight metres inside the visitors’ half but another kick at goal went wide.
Final score – Pontypool 32 RGC 1404 20.
This was a much better performance by Pontypool, probably their best of the season so far.
There was a vast improvement in discipline and far fewer unforced errors, so the work during the week to right some of the wrongs last time out paid off.
Pontypool’s next challenge in Super Rygbi Cymru will be on Saturday when they travel west to take on Carmarthen Quins at Carmarthen Park.
The next home game will be on October 19 - an eagerly-awaited derby with old rivals Newport when the Black-and-Ambers.
Kick-off for both games will be 2.30pm.
Pontypool: Jordan Thomas, Ioan Duggan (replaced by Harri Ford), Joel Mahoney, Amosa Nove (replaced by Pat Lewis), Marcus Jones, Kieran Meek, Matthew Flanagan (replaced by Archie Lloyd), Kyan Best (replaced by Sam Cochrane), Connor Chapman (replaced by Lewis Ball), Owain James (replaced by Harry Drane), Ieuan Jones (replaced by Buster Bodkin), Dan Hill (replaced by Ryan Jones), Mike Herbert (captain), Adam Stratton and Morgan Allen.
Pontypool scorers: Tries by Ieuan Jones, Dan Hill, Connor Chapman and Joel Mahoney. Conversions by Kieran Meek (3). Penalties by Kieran Meek (2).
RGC 1404: Sam Earl-Jones, Rhys Tudor (replaced by Delwyn Jones), Afon Bagshaw, Danny Cross (captain), Sam Stoddard (replaced by Harry Hughes), Billy McBryde, Connor Dever (replaced by Tudur Jones). Jessie Williams (replaced by Gareth Parry), Jac Petch-Jones (replaced by Osain Burt), Pedr Jones (replaced by Patrick Nelson), Billy McQueeney (replaced by Celt Ffransis-Roberts), Tal Taylor, Dan Owen (replaced by Jack Davies), Ethan Fackrell and Sam Williams.
RGC 1404 scorers: Tries by Ethan Fackrell and Danny Cross. Conversions by Billy McBryde (2). Penalties by Billy McBryde and Sam Earl-Jones.
Referee: Aaron Parry (Sebastopol)
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