Pooler rue missed opportunities at Llandovery

It was a case of what might have been in Pontypool’s Super Rygbi Cymru clash with Llandovery at Church Bank on Saturday, writes Ray Ruddick. Pontypool were well in the game and were good value for their slender one-point lead with just over 10 minutes remaining, but Llandovery are so good at taking their chances when presented to them and that is exactly what they did. It looked unlikely that the Drovers would get maximum league points after 68 minutes and a point behind, but they ended up with 6 league points and Pooler left with nothing. The score does not reflect the effort Pontypool put in, however they need to be more accurate when inside their opponents’ 22 and turn pressure into points.

Pontypool kicked off attacking the clubhouse end of the ground, playing in their changed strip of predominantly black, on a fine and dry but windy afternoon. It was a fairly even first quarter although no score was forthcoming. In the 17^th minute Pontypool’s flanker, Ryan Jones, was yellow carded for jumping across in a lineout, however, Pontypool did not concede any points in Jones’ absence. In fact, they took the lead when, in the 25^th minute, Llandovery were guilty of not releasing just outside their 22, in front of the posts, and visiting centre and captain, Kieran Meek, made no mistake with his shot at goal (0-3).

On the half hour the Drovers opened their account when they were on the attack and putting pressure on the Pooler defence inside the visitors’ 22. Full back Isaac Murray-Macgregor put in a lovely chip which he gathered and scored a try near the posts. Outside half Ioan Hughes converted (7-3). Just before the end of a very tight first period, the home side were on the attack inside Pooler’s 22 when visiting full back Ellis Davies intercepted a pass and ran 60 metres before getting caught near the home 22. The ball was recycled and reached Kieran Meek who kicked cross field to right wing Carrick McDonough who gathered and crossed for a try, 10 metres in from the corner. Kieran Meek’s conversion attempt struck the right upright and stayed out. Half-time score – Llandovery 7 Pontypool 8.

The first score of the second period came in the 50^th minute when the home side were in possession deep in Pontypool territory and a few passes later, replacement Tom Hughes scored a try which Ioan Hughes converted (14-8). Seven minutes later Pontypool had a throw-in near the Drovers’ line. The throw went to the back of the lineout, the ball was recycled and eventually Pooler second row Liam Antrobus barged over for a try from close range near the posts and Kieran Meek added the extras to put Pontypool back in front (14-15).

Just after the hour mark Pooler made changes when Lance Randall replaced second row Joe Davies and then Joel Mahoney took over from Pat Lewis in the centre. In the 69^th minute play was inside Pontypool’s half with the Drovers in possession and poor Pooler tackling let in replacement Ben Evans for a try near the posts and Ioan Hughes converted (21-15). Rhys Cole then came on for full back Ellis Davies, so Carrick McDonough went to full back and Cole on the right wing. Shortly after Luke Daniel replaced flanker Dan Hill and a few minutes later replacement hooker Tiaan Hall took over from Ryan Jones. Hall went to hooker and Sam Scarfe dropped back into the back row.

In the 74^th minute Pooler were guilty of holding on near their 10-metre line and back-chatting the referee cost them another 10 metres so up stepped Ioan Hughes to slot the important penalty goal, 30 metres out from the Pooler line and 15 metres in from Llandovery’s left touchline to put his side two scores clear (24-15). Pontypool were now chasing the game when, a few minutes earlier they were in front. In an attempt to keep the ball alive to get back within a score of their opponents and get a losing bonus point, in last play, Pooler made mistakes in defence and let Llandovery in to score their bonus-point try by Isaac Murray-Macgregor, a brace for the full back, near the uprights and Ioan Hughes again obliged from the tee to make the final score Llandovery 31 Pontypool 15.

Congratulations to Llandovery on their hard-fought victory in what was an entertaining encounter. It was a battling performance by Pontypool in a match where they could have, and possibly should have, won as they squandered several scoring opportunities deep inside Llandovery’s 22, which could well have changed the shape of the game. Quite simply Llandovery took their chances and Pontypool didn’t. However, Pooler’s outstanding hooker Sam Scarfe had a terrific game as he won several turnovers, made many metres with his powerful runs and, in the first half, out-ran Llandovery’s wing and caught him with a try-saving tackle just before the goal line. Pontypool will need to work hard in training, particularly on the lineout, to prepare for another difficult away game next Saturday with a trip along the M4 to the Electric Brewery Field to take on Bridgend, as Pooler look to overturn a 38-50 defeat inflicted on them by Bridgend in the game at Pontypool Park a few weeks ago. The kick-off will be at the usual 2.30pm.

Llandovery: Isaac Murray-Macgregor, Tomi Lewis (replaced by Josh Thomas), Corey Baldwin, Gryff Watkins (replaced by Tom Hughes), Aaron Warren (replaced by Jac Davies), Ioan Hughes, Lucca Setaro, Tom Phillips (replaced by Dino Dallavalle), Finn Thomas (replaced by Cam Lewis), Llyr Green (replaced by Jac Pritchard), Morgan Jones (replaced by Harry Holden), Joe Powell (captain), Kai Jones (replaced by Ben Evans), Tom Curry and Dan Germine.

Pontypool: Ellis Davies (replaced by Rhys Cole), Carrick McDonough, Pat Lewis (replaced by Joel Mahoney), Kieran Meek (captain), Marcus Jones, Evan Lloyd, Morgan Lloyd, George Tuckley (replaced by Tom Sims), Sam Scarfe, Harri Rock, Joe Davies (replaced by Lance Randall), Liam Antrobus, Dan Hill (replaced by Luke Daniel), Ryan Jones (replaced by Tiaan Hall), and Ben Williams.