Drovers edge out Pooler with late penalty in close encounter

Pontypool welcomed current league and cup double champions Llandovery to Pontypool Park on Thursday for the first match in the newly formed Super Rygbi Cymru which was televised live on S4C Clic, writes Ray Ruddick. Llandovery started well but Pooler came back into the game and the home team could have, and perhaps should have won but Llandovery’s late penalty goal give them a winning start to the league season.

Llandovery kicked off attacking the scoreboard end of the ground on a fine and dry but chilly evening. The Drovers started well and immediately put Pooler under pressure, then in the second minute scored an unconverted try by wing Ilan Phillips when he squeezed over in the corner (0-5). After a quarter-of-an-hour’s play Pooler were on the attack just inside Llandovery’s 22. The visitors were guilty of not releasing in midfield and outside half Kieran Meek, on his return to Pooler colours after a couple of seasons with Ebbw Vale, and making his 100^th appearance for the club, slotted the kick at goal (3-5).

In the 24^th minute home hooker Sam Scarfe was yellow carded for a trip inside Pooler’s 22. From the penalty, the Drovers kicked to the left corner and from the ensuing driving maul, hooker Taylor Davies scored a try, 5 metres in from the corner. This score was converted by full back Jack Maynard with a fine kick (3-12). On the half hour, Darren Hughes, another returning to Pontypool, replaced the Dragons Academy wing Ioan Duggan to cover for the front row. Towards the end of the first half there was a long stoppage due to an injury to visiting flanker Stuart Worrall who was taking off on a stretcher. Everyone at Pontypool RFC wishes Stuart a speedy recovery. There was no further scoring so the half time score read Pontypool 3 Llandovery 12.

As Llandovery started the first half well, so Pontypool did at the start of the second period. In the second minute Pooler were in possession and a kick ahead initially by centre Joel Mahoney towards the left corner was chased by home left wing Mathew Powell who galloped down the left flank and he managed to get downward pressure on the ball over the goal line for a try which Kieran Meek converted superbly (10-12). Four minutes later Pontypool were back on the attack and, after a great break by Joel Mahoney, he passed to full back Jordan Thomas who then offloaded to Mathew Powell who glided over for a cracking try in the corner to put Pooler ahead for the first time in the game. The conversion attempt went narrowly wide (15-12). Owain Leonard then replaced Matthew Flanagan at scrum half for the home side.

In the 52^nd minute Pontypool were penalised for going off feet at a ruck deep inside their 22 and to the left of the posts and Jack Maynard kicked the goal to bring the scores level (15-15). Six minutes later Pontypool number eight and last season’s captain Scott Matthews was replaced by Ieuan Jones, on permit from Cross Keys. Just after the hour mark play was in the Drovers’ 22 and the ball was passed back to Kieran Meek who dropped a neat goal from 20 metres out and in front of the posts to restore Pooler’s three-point advantage (18-15). In the 66^th minute Kyan Best replaced Sam Cochrane at loose head prop and Mike Herbert, this season’s captain, was replaced by Adam Stratton for Pontypool. A minute later Pooler were guilty of not releasing at a ruck, 35 metres from their line to the left of the posts and, once again, Jack Maynard brought the scores level with a successful penalty shot at goal (18-18).

With just under 15 minutes to play Ioan Duggan was replaced by Joseph Scrivens for Pooler. So it was all to play for going into the dying minutes of an enthralling encounter and in the 74^th minute, Llandovery took a quick tap penalty which took play into the home 22. Pooler transgressed again and replacement Joseph Scrivens was yellow carded. Up stepped Jack Maynard who slotted his attempt at goal to take his side back into the lead (18-21). Pooler full back Jordan Thomas was then replaced by Tye Davies. In the final minute Pooler were attacking deep inside the visitors’ 22, searching for that winning score, but the ball went loose and the Drovers cleared so last season’s double-winning champions held on for a hard-earned victory in a match that could have gone either way. Final score – Pontypool 18 Llandovery 21. Llandovery second row Will Evans was named player of the match by S4C Clic.

Pontypool must be disappointed that they put themselves in a great position to win the game but came up just short. However, they should be delighted at the way they fronted up and took the game to Llandovery. If Pooler can produce performances like this, then they should be in for a good season. Pontypool’s next game will be at the Brewery Field when they take on Bridgend on Saturday 21 September, kick-off 2.30pm.

Pontypool: Jordan Thomas (replaced by Tye Davies), Ioan Duggan (temporary replaced by Darren Hughes then permanently replaced by Joseph Scrivens), Pat Lewis, Joel Mahoney, Mathew Powell, Kieran Meek, Matthew Flanagan (replaced by Owain Leonard), Sam Cochrane (replaced by Kyan Best), Sam Scarfe, Kelvyn Williams, Morgan Allen, Dan Hill, Mike Herbert (captain, replaced by Adam Stratton), Callum Davies and Scott Matthews (replaced by Ieuan Jones).

Llandovery: Jack Maynard, Ilan Phillips, Adam Warren, Rhodri Jones, Aaron Warren (replaced by Morgan Meaclem), Ioan Hughes, Lee Rees (captain), Jamie Hughes (replaced by Dino Dallavalle), Taylor Davies (replaced by Harry Thomas), Llyr Green (replaced by Guto McAnulty-Jones), Chris Long, Will Evans, Osian Davies, Stuart Worrall (replaced by Nathan Hart) and Jordan Evans.