Ystrad held the lead from the start up until the 85th minute. Then, as Pooler crept their way up the field inch by inch, outside half Dai Landgon stepped into the pocket, called for the ball and duly slotted the match-winning drop goal with the clock showing 86 minutes.
It was ecstasy for the Pooler fans and agony for the Ystrad players, coaches and followers. Pooler now have one game to go to make it a maximum 26 wins from 26 league games at Ystalyfera, who are one off the bottom of the table, on Saturday.
Playing from the railway end at Gelligaled Park, Ystrad started like an unstoppable steam train and were 15 points to the good without reply within 16 minutes. Rhys Truelove opened their account with a penalty, flanker Jarred Llewellyn muscled his way over for their first try which Truelove improved, and then they got a second try from wing Kurtis Williams.
Some cute work from scrum half Morgan Lloyd finally saw Pooler break their duck when he dummied his way through the home defence after a line-out in the home 22. Matthew Jarvis added the conversion and it was no longer one-way traffic on the scoreboard.
Home flanker Morgan Burgess then barged his way over for a third try, which Truelove converted to make it 22-7 to once again underline Ystrad’s belief they could topple the champions. The visitors needed a reaction and it came in trademark style.
Jarvis kicked a penalty deep into the Ystrad 22 to set-up an attacking line-out. The ball was secured and hooker Peter Lloyd picked up his seventh try of the season, and another Jarvis conversion cut the gap to eight points at the break.
A second driving line out try from Lloyd, and another Jarvis conversion, 14 minutes into the second half made it a one point game and turned the pressure onto the home team. They refused to buckle and conjured up a second try for leading scorer Williams on the wing, which Truelove converted.
The pendulum had swung again, but Pooler were in n mood to relinquish their unbeaten tag after 25 league wins and four more in the cup. Replacement back row man Alex Grey powered over for the bonus-point try near the left corner and another Jarvis conversion set-up a thrilling final quarter with only one-point in it again.
For Scott Matthews and his Pooler side it was now a question of controlling the emotions, not panicking and sticking to the processes that had made them the most dominant side in Welsh rugby this season. As the game moved into injury time, Pooler kept the ball in hand, controlled possession and territory and went through phase after phase to earn yard after yard.
All that composure built towards the moment Langdon felt comfortable to shoot for glory. After the forwards had done the hard work, he kept his cool to deliver the knock out blow. It was some finish!
