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16 November 2022 / Club News

Bargoed Briefs

Bargoed Briefs

1st XV Report

Bargoed travelled to Pontypool as third played second in this National Championship tie.

The visitors started well and early scrum pressure by Bargoed saw Steff Jones kick a penalty after the Pooler pack were penalised.

Bargoed increased the lead when good work by Dai Evans and James Leadbeater saw Dylan Williams put away from 70 yards out. He took the defence on and then passed to Tom Rice in support to crash over in the corner. Steff Jones converted to give Bargoed a 10-0 lead. 

Bargoed continued to challenge the hosts with a strong set piece and this resulted in them getting into the Pooler 22. Bargoed used their power game to get some go forward and after a series of phases they created space for Dylan Williams to cross in the corner, Jones converted superbly from the touch line to take the visitors to 17-0 ahead.

Bargoed kept the scoreboard ticking as the pressure applied was paying dividends which saw the hosts concede another penalty. Jones again kicked the penalty to increase the lead to 20-0. 

Pontypool responded and when Euan Rosser got the ball around the halfway line he used his pace and power to break the Bargoed defensive line and Pat Lewis crossed for a try which was converted by Matthew Jarvis.

Pontypool closed the gap when Bargoed conceded a penalty and Jarvis stepped up with another successful kick to make it 20-10.

The momentum had swung now and Pontypool were in the ascendancy which resulted in a try for wing Deon Smith, converted by Jarvis to make it 20-17 to Bargoed at half time. 

The early exchanges in the second half saw Pontypool continue to have the edge and Bargoed conceded another penalty which Jarvis again converted to bring it back to 20-20. 

However Bargoed were still working hard and slowly they got back in the game as they managed to get a foothold in the Pontypool 22 from a driving line-out. They continued to pressure the hosts and following a multi phase attack, Keaton Davies scored in the corner  with a great finish. Jones again converted and Bargoed led 27-20.

Pontypool pulled it back in this ding dong battle as Bargoed collapsed a driving maul and Referee Gwyn Morris awarded a penalty try and issued a yellow card to Lewis Johnson with the game tied again at 27-27.

Bargoed made some changes and valiantly fought back and it looked as though they would keep the score line level until they got back up to 15 on the field. However they cruelly conceded a try just before the ten minutes was up with Deon Smith getting his second. Jarvis missed the conversion, and Pontypool led 32-27.

Bargoed made two clean breaks from Dylan Williams and Matthew Lewis but failed to capitalise on these opportunities. 

The final opportunity was a line-out just outside the Pooler 22, and as they drove the line-out the home side managed to defend it and the ball went loose and Bargoed ended up scrambling to ground the ball behind their line after a kick and chase.  

Bargoed tried to get the ball back from the goal line drop out, but Pooler reclaimed it and managed to crash over for the final try which was converted for a final score of 39-27.

This was an excellent advert for National Championship rugby in Wales with two quality sides leaving nothing out on the field.

Bargoed will rue some missed opportunities after a great start but credit to Pontypool for responding well and taking the victory. However everyone present knew that the score line didn’t reflect how tight this game was. 

Bargoed will look for a positive response as they face Bedwas in another Championship fixture at Bargoed Park on Thursday 24 November kick off at 7.15pm. Come along and support Binky and the Boys!!

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