O'Driscoll dynamite for Pooler

12:44pm Monday 5th May 2008

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Pontypool 37

Rumney 22

PONTYPOOL'S young full back Geraint O'Driscoll is laying down a strong marker that he could be a significant force in the club's Welsh Premiership campaign next season. He is a smart operator in attack and defence while his goal-kicking has been immaculate in recent weeks.

O'Driscoll followed his 17-point haul against Fleur de Lys in mid-week by bagging another 22 points as Pooler rounded off their Division One East championship-winning season with a 37-22 victory over hard-working Rumney.

The full back crossed for Pooler's fourth and final try in the 77th minute and kicked three penalties - one from 45 metres - and four conversions. That pushed his overall points total to 59 in just eight league appearances. Pooler's other tries came from outstanding wing forward Rob Nash, right wing Richard Dennington and centre Phil Price.

Rumney, who always seem to rise to the occasion when they visit Pontypool Park, were good value for their 22 points. Clever full back Tom Daly (2), inside-half Ben Morris and flanker Matthew Way snapped up tries but they had no-one to match the goal-kicking prowess of O'Driscoll. Daly's first touchdown came in first-half injury time and outside-half Andrew Carlson kicked the conversion to cut Pooler's interval lead to 20-7.

Pontypool made a slow start and they were clearly struggling to hit top form after their mid-week match at Fleur de Lys. But they still had too much pace and power behind the scrum for their plucky opponents. Some refereeing decisions clearly frustrated the Division One East title-holders but when Nash, Cae Trayhern and co got to work there was only going to be one result in favour of the home team.

Unfortunately, the match ended on a sad note when Pontypool left wing Nathan Preece had to be taken to hospital after dislocating a knee in the fifth minute of injury time. Preece has been in fine form topping the club's league try chart with 10. Everyone hopes he will make a quick recovery and be ready to play his part in the Premiership squad next season.

The victory enabled Pontypool to complete their league campaign unbeaten at home with only two defeats and two draws on the deficit side in 22 matches.

Pontypool head coach Gareth Lintern said after the match: "We realised that Rumney, who have a young side, would be looking for a win and they would be trying to prove a point to themselves ready for next season. Our boys were tired after the Fleur de Lys game but I'm very pleased we managed to grind out a victory.

"We know we need to recruit ready for next season so we will welcome any inquiries from players who think they would like a crack at the Premiership. We have developed some good players here this season and we want to do the same when we are in the Premiership."

Rumney forwards coach Michael Peard said: "We just wanted to play good open rugby. We're a young side and we fielded a couple of second- team players who have been showing up well this term. All in all, I think we gave a very good account of ourselves. But, to be fair, this was Pontypool's day after they clinched promotion last week and they were more streetwise than us in crucial areas of the field."

Pontypool: G O'Driscoll; R Dennington (D Pearce 72), P Price, R Jenkins (N Daniel 78), N Preece; D Phillips, G Betts (M Birkby 78); J Jeune, L Jones, capt., J Cross (C Attwell 76), N Coughlin, C Edwards, G Donaldson (J Williams 58), R Nash and C Trayhern.

Tries: R Nash (26 mins), R Dennington (29 mins), P Price (41mins), G O'Driscoll (77 mins).

Penalties: O'Driscoll (11, 33 and 65 mins). Cons: O'Driscoll (4).

Rumney: T Daly; P Collett, P Niblett, capt., A Jones (G Niblett 69), L Plummer; A Carlson, B Morris; J Leadbeatter (J Russell 69), M Feneck (J O'Donnell 69), C Gale, M Kelly, P Bull (J Cozzi 52), M Way, R Sutton (A Wilson 73) and A Brake.

Tries: T Daly (40+3 mins and 60 mins),B Morris (57 mins) and M Way (72 mins).

Con: A Carlson.

Referee: Mr Simon Wycherley (Penmaen).