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Cobras win in canal classic!

Pontypool United 5-21 Cobras

Great to make our first ever visit to the legendary Skew Fields, or Stad de Skew as it’s fondly known,  Skew fields is the oldest rugby ground in Torfaen and the previous home of the mighty Pontypool senior team.

Picturesque as it is, with its canal side setting, this was sure to be a tough game against United.

First half:  United 5-7 Cobras

The first half was as difficult an experience as the Cobras will have this season,  United are an excellent team, with a big and strong pack and a mostly big and strong set of backs.

They came out all guns blazing and dominated the first fifteen minutes before scoring, no one in the crowd could have disagreed that they deserved it. Conversion  missed.

The scrum was mostly an even balanced advert for the dark arts, as both sides sought to gain an advantage..the ref had difficulty managing it and spoke to both front rows on several occasions for boring in (us) or pushing early (them).

Our line out was excellent as usual, but our maul struggled against the big opposition pack.

Cam was sensational this half, isn’t he always,he simply refuses to play in a team that loses a game of rugby, he ran hard and tackled everything that moved…so, it wasn’t a surprise when he scored off the back of a strong scrum to get us back in the game.
Harry J converted with his usual aplomb.

Second half: United 5-21 Cobras

The second half was a strange one, United were excellent again, dominating the early period but unable to score, butchering a few three on ones..

On one occasion it was three on one, but the one was Cam, who tackled two of them before getting to his feet and turning the ball over…absolutely brilliant.

Was Elvis in the building? He surely was.  Shane would win any dance contest in the Northern hemisphere, he scored our next try, gliding through opposing defenders to go under the posts, it’s as if he’s a ghost, opposing defenders can’t put a hand on him.
Harry J converted.

This was a tough game, our injuries testify to that and the game was very much in the balance until….United kick the ball into our 22..but, it’s picked up by Shane who is faced with the entire opposition ahead of him, but that doesn’t phase him, he swerves like Barry John, steps like Phil Bennett and sprints like Louis Rees Zammit to go over for a try, which will surely be a strong candidate in the “Cobra try of the season awards” next May.

Harry J converts a tricky one to end proceedings.

Players of the match 

Were Cam and Shane who played blisteringly well amongst a strong team effort,  they were both clearly outstanding today and the coaches couldn’t choose between two 10/10 efforts.  Well played indeed 👏 

Love and hisses

🐍 🏉 💚