The Drovers proved too strong for gallant Pooler

Pontypool made the journey to Church Bank on Saturday to take on Llandovery in the quarter-finals of the Super Rygbi Cymru Play-offs but found their hosts in determined mood as the Drovers gave an impressive display and booked a semi-final away meeting with Ebbw Vale, writes Ray Ruddick. The other semi-final will be between old rivals Cardiff and Newport at Cardiff Arms Park. Centre Pat Lewis was making his 100^th league and cup appearance for Pontypool – congratulations Pat.

Llandovery got the game underway attacking the clubhouse end of the ground on a lovely sunny late afternoon in front of the S4C cameras, with Pontypool playing in their changed strip of predominantly black. The Drovers struck first after 60 seconds when, after several phases, the ball went wide and right wing Harri Doel scored a try 7 metres in from the corner. The conversion attempt failed (5-0). In the 8^th minute the home side were penalised for handling in a ruck, 35 metres out from their goal line and 5 metres infield on Pooler’s left and outside half Harri Ford slotted the shot at goal, with a little help from the left upright (5-3). Six minutes later Llandovery were testing Pooler’s defence with some strong drives. Initially Pooler held firm but the pressure eventually told when second row Morgan Jones scored a try from close range to the right of the posts which was converted by outside half Ioan Hughes (12-3).

In the 17^th minute Pooler scrum half Morgan Lloyd took a quick tap penalty inside the home 22 and in front of the posts. He passed to flanker Scott Matthews whose momentum got the ball over the goal line for a try to the left of the posts. This score was converted by Harri Ford (12-10). Midway through the first half Llandovery were on the attack and again tested Pooler’s resistance with several drives towards the visitors’ goal line and loose head prop Jamie Hughes powered over from close range, seven metres in from the left corner. The difficult conversion attempt failed (17-10). Then in the 38^th minute Llandovery were penalised at a ruck just outside their 22 and 15 metres infield on Pooler’s left and Harri Ford reduced the arrears with a successful shot at goal. Half- time score – Llandovery 17 Pontypool 13.

The start of the second period was keenly contested with neither side adding to their score. In the 50^th minute full back Harry Jarvis was replaced by Rhodri Cole who went to scrum half with Morgan Lloyd dropping to full back and two minutes later Harry Drane took over from tight head prop Kelvyn Williams for the visitors. In the 53^rd minute the Drovers extended their lead when full back Jac Davies scored a try in the right corner which was superbly converted by Ioan Hughes (24-13). Pooler then made a couple of changes when Jordan Thomas took over from right wing Ioan Duggan and a couple of minutes later second row Ieuan Jones made way for Ryan Jones. On the hour Pooler hooker Evan Wood made way for Connor Chapman and four minutes later saw another change in the Pooler front row when loose head prop George Tuckley was replaced by Kyan Best.

With five minutes remaining of this absorbing contest Pontypool were guilty of holding on at a ruck 35 metres from their goal line and to the left of the posts. Ioan Hughes slotted his shot at goal (27-13). Pooler then made their final two changes when Callum Davies replaced flanker and captain Mike Herbert and Lewis Robey took over from Scott Matthews. Two minutes later a lovely break by visiting centre Joel Mahoney took play inside the home 22 and he passed inside to Rhodri Cole who scored a try under the posts. Harri Ford converted to make it a nail-biting finish with only a converted try separating the two teams (27-20). However, straight from the re-start Llandovery gained possession and Harri Doel dived over in the right corner for an unconverted try to make the game safe for the Drovers (32-20). There was still time for Llandovery to score their 6^th try of the match when replacement hooker crossed from close range and replacement outside half Jack Maynard converted. Final score – Llandovery 39 Pontypool 20. Jac Davies was named player-of-the-match, as chosen by S4C.

Llandovery were well-organised, strong up front and dangerous with ball in hand. They had the upper hand in most aspects of the game and were too good for a Pooler side who never gave up and fought to the end. So, congratulations to Llandovery on a well-deserved victory. Overall, it has been a good season for Pontypool, finishing in fifth place in the final league table and with home victories over the top three clubs – Cardiff, Ebbw Vale and Newport. Pooler suffered only two home defeats during the season – against Llandovery (18-21) in the first league game of the season and 13-18 against Ebbw Vale in the round robin cup competition in February. With a little more consistency, there is no reason why they cannot be a top four side next season. A big thank you to the players, coaches, medical and support staff, volunteers, supporters, sponsors, Peter Jeffreys and anyone else who has, in any way, helped the club throughout this campaign. Enjoy the summer break and we look forward to next season, starting with some pre-season friendlies in August.

Llandovery: Jac Davies, Harri Doel, Adam Warren, Rhodri Jones, Llien Morgan, Ioan Hughes, Lee Rees (captain), Jamie Hughes, Taylor Davies, Berian Watkins, Morgan Jones, Ed Scragg, Osian Davies, Stuart Worrall and Joe Powell. Replacements: Garan Williams, Dino Dallavalle, Ben Leung, Nathan Hart, Evan Sheldon, Ilan Phillips, Jack Maynard and George Macdonald.

Pontypool: Harry Jarvis (replaced by Rhodri Cole), Ioan Duggan (replaced by Jordan Thomas), Pat Lewis, Joel Mahoney, Marcus Jones, Harri Ford, Morgan Lloyd, George Tuckley (replaced by Kyan Best), Evan Wood (replaced by Connor Chapman), Kelvyn Williams (replaced by Harry Drane), Ieuan Jones (replaced by Ryan Jones), Dan Hill, Scott Matthews (replaced by Lewis Robey), Mike Herbert (captain, replaced by Callum Davies) and Morgan Allen.