Campaign Sport

Pooler aim to cure travel sickness

By Chris Kirwan

11:50am Friday 3rd September 2010

PONTYPOOL have already improved on last year by getting off the mark early in the campaign and this weekend they want to get a second monkey off their back.

Pooler beat Bedwas 27-16 in their Premiership opener last weekend, a vast improvement on 2009-10 when they had to wait until their 12th game for success.

Tomorrow they take on Aberavon at the Talbot Athletic Ground with the aim of achieving something they couldn’t manage in 14 league and cup games last season – win away from home.

“We were delighted with the win last weekend and it is a relief that we won’t be going into December looking for our first win again,” said assistant coach Mike Hook.

“But progression is what we want this season and there was a bit of disappointment that we didn’t get five points instead of four – we need to be more ruthless.

“Similarly, if we want to move forward as a club we have to improve our away form and that is something we have talked about as a group.

“We picked up a point there in the final game of last season, when there wasn’t anything really on it, but we want to be a side that can go to tough places like Aberavon and win.”

As a man of Port Talbot Hook is well aware of the strengths of Wizards, especially as his dad Richard is the club’s paramedic.

And the former fly-half believes the control they showed against Bedwas needs to be repeated out west.

“Our gameplan and structure are key,” he said. “Last week we made sure Bedwas played more in their own half and the same is needed again.

“They are a strong side and will be physical but that is an area we have looked to improve this season and we will relish taking the challenge to them up front.”

Pooler give starts to Mike Burke and Oli Halford on the wings while Dan Robinson moves back to his favoured midfield role.

The only change to the pack sees Tom Organ replace Cae Trayhern at openside flanker.

Pontypool: G O’Driscoll, M Burke, D Robinson, P Price, O Halford, S Connor, A Quick, D Barlow, R Buckley, N Blake, R Bowen, D Critchley, G Morris (captain), T Organ, L Dyckhoff. Replacements: N Wakley, T Hancock, C Morgan, R Wilson, C Attwell, J Jeune, J Faletau.

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