Committed Pooler fall just short at Llandovery in absorbing contest

Pontypool made the long journey west on Saturday to the pleasant surroundings of Church Bank to take on current double holders and in-form Llandovery in a re-arranged Super Rygbi Cymru game, writes Ray Ruddick. It was a thoroughly entertaining encounter which was a great advert for Super Rygbi Cymru. Llandovery deserved to win but credit to Pontypool for their committed and encouraging performance.

Llandovery kicked off on their new all-weather 3G pitch on a fine and dry but chilly winter’s afternoon, with Pontypool in their changed strip of predominantly Black. The Drovers made the better start putting their visitors under early pressure. Pontypool’s defence was up to the task until the 15^th minute when the pressure told. Following a series of forward drives towards the Pooler goal line, home number eight Nathan Hart finally powered over for a try, 10 metres in from the right corner. Full back Jack Maynard converted (7-0). Two minutes later Llandovery were guilty of not rolling away at a ruck in midfield, 5 metres inside the home half. Outside half Kieran Meek stepped up and slotted a fine kick to reduce the arrears (7-3).

Midway through the first half Pontypool were on the attack inside the home 22. The ball reached centre Joel Mahoney who caught it behind his back. He managed to hang on to it to touch down under the posts for a try which Kieran Meek converted to put the visitors into the lead (7-10). After half an hour’s play the Drovers hit back with another close range try by Nathan Hart who scored under the posts, again after a period of pressure. Jack Maynard added the extras (14-10). With about five minutes to go to the interval, home hooker Taylor Davies, who was making his 50^th appearance for Llandovery, scored a try in the left corner following a driving maul from a lineout near Pooler’s goal line. Once again Jack Maynard slotted the conversion. Half time score – Llandovery 21 Pontypool 10.

At the start of the second half Pooler scrum half Owain Leonard was replaced by Dane Blacker. In the 45^th minute a loose ball near Llandovery’s 10-metre line was kicked ahead by Pooler and gathered inside the Drover’s 22. Play then went right and Mathew Powell crossed to score a try in the right corner. The difficult conversion was missed but Pontypool were now back in the game (21-15). However, 10 minutes later Llandovery secured their bonus-point try when replacement Ilan Phillips ran round and touched down behind the posts and Jack Maynard kicked the easy conversion (28-15). Jordan Thomas then replaced Jordan Williams at full back and Kelvyn Williams took over from tight head prop Harry Drane for Pontypool. With around 20 minutes remaining Pooler made another change as number eight Morgan Allen gave way to Solomone Funaki from the Dragons.

In the 65^th minute Pontypool second row Dan Hill was shown the yellow card for tackling a player within 10 metres who had taken a quick tap penalty. A minute later Pontypool were penalised near their 22 to the right of the posts and Jack Maynard made no mistake with his attempt at goal to take Llandovery 16 points ahead and in line for another bonus point for winning by 15 points or more. There were 10 minutes remaining when Pontypool, on the attack in the Drovers’ 22 and asking questions of the home defence, scored a try to the left of the posts from close range through flanker Scott Matthews. Kieran Meek converted (31-22). Loose head prop Sam Cochrane was then replaced by Kyan Best for the visitors.

In the 74^th minute Llandovery scored their fifth try of the afternoon when replacement Llien Morgan scored a try from loose play, touching down 10 metres in from the left corner. Jack Maynard carried on his impressive place kicking performance by adding a fine conversion (38-22). Pontypool came back and in the 78^th minute play was inside Llandovery’s 22 with the visitors pressing for that all-important 4^th and bonus-point try. Play went right and a long pass out to Solomone Funaki, who appeared on the right wing, put the Tongan international clear and over for an unconverted try in the corner (38-27). Late on Amosa Nove took over from Mathew Powell for Pooler and try as they might to get a losing bonus point with a very late try, Llandovery’s defence held out and the home side secured their 9^th consecutive win. Final score – Llandovery 38 Pontypool 27.

Church Bank is always a difficult place to go to get a positive result so for Pooler to come away with a deserved try bonus point is commendable. Well done to Llandovery on their victory as they once again prove that they are still one of the top club sides in Wales. The Drovers fed off Pooler’s mistakes and took their chances well so, if Pontypool can reduce the amount of unforced errors and improve on their discipline, they can be a match for anyone in the Super Rygbi Cymru.

The league has a few weeks off as the new Super Rygbi Cymru Cup takes centre stage for the next couple of months or so, during the Six Nations tournament. The competition is split into two pools of five with the winners of each pool going through to the final. In Pontypool’s pool are Swansea, Carmarthen Quins, Ebbw Vale and Newport. Pontypool’s cup fixtures are Swansea (home on Saturday 25 January), Carmarthen Quins (away on Saturday 1 February), Ebbw Vale (home on Saturday, 15 February) and Newport (away on Friday 14 March). So, for the first of the cup matches, Pontypool welcome Swansea to Pontypool Park on Saturday, kick-off will be at 2.30pm.

Llandovery: Jack Maynard, Steff Evans, Adam Warren, Rhodri Jones, Aaron Warrem, Ioan Hughes, Lee Rees (captain), Dino Dallavalle, Taylor Davies, Berian Watkins, Morgan Jones, Ed Scragg, Osain Davies, Stuart Worrall and Nathan Hart. Replacements: Garan Williams, Jamie Hughes, Guto Jones, Joe Powell, Evan Sheldon, Ilan Phillips, Llien Morgan and George Macdonald.

Pontypool: Jordan Williams (replaced by Jordan Thomas), Mathew Powell (replaced by Amosa Nove), Joel Mahoney, Scott Williams, Marcus Jones, Kieran Meek, Owain Leonard (replaced by Dane Blacker), Sam Cochrane (replaced by Sam Cochrane), Sam Scarfe, Harry Drane (replaced by Kelvynn Williams), Ieuan Jones, Dan Hill, Scott Matthews, Mike Herbert (captain, replaced by Adam Stratton)), Morgan Allen (replaced by Solomone Funaki).