Pooler squeeze past the champions in a pulsating opener to the new season

What a wonderful game to watch, and in front of the S4C cameras as well, writes Ray Ruddick. Pontypool welcomed current champions Llandovery to Pontypool Park on Saturday for the opening match of the season in Super Rygbi Cymru and recorded a thoroughly deserved victory, albeit narrow, in a great advert for semi-professional rugby in Wales. In a game of 13 tries (7-6 to Llandovery), the result was in doubt right up until the final whistle, but Pontypool held on, much to the delight of the Pooler faithful and, of course, the players and coaches. Full back Kian Abraham was making his 50^th appearance for Llandovery. For Pontypool seven players made their league debut - five in the starting line-up and two off the bench.

Llandovery kicked off attacking the scoreboard end of the ground on a fine late afternoon with the pitch looking in great condition. Pontypool played in their changed strip of predominantly black. Just over a minute had gone when the Drovers ran the ball from their half and, several passes later, outside half Sam Potter scored a try to the right of the posts and he duly converted to put the visitors into a very early lead (0-7). In the fifth minute Pooler were awarded a penalty between Llandovery’s 22 and 10-metre line. They kicked to the right corner and from the resulting lineout and driving maul, flanker and captain Scott Matthews scored a try, 15 metres in from the flag. Outside half Evan Lloyd converted (7-7). After 13 minutes play a good break by home full back Ewan Rosser along the right flank found space and he passed inside to Rhys Cole for the right wing to stretch over for a try in the corner. The difficult conversion failed (12-7).

Midway through the first half Llandovery drew level with an unconverted try by flanker Tom Curry, 10 metres in from the right corner, from a driving maul following a lineout close to the Pooler line (12-12). Four minutes later Pooler had a kick charged down by Sam Potter and he gathered, ran 35 metres to dive over in the left corner for another unconverted try (12-17). In the 32^nd minute Pooler failed to clear from a ruck on their own goal line. The ball rolled over the line and Llandovery’s scrum half Rhodri Lewis was quick to react and he pounced on the ball to score his side’s bonus-point try to the left of the posts. This score was converted by Sam Potter (12-24). Two minutes later Pooler replied when Evan Lloyd put in a through kick for Carrick McDonough and Ben Williams to chase and second row Liam Antrobus scored a try from close range, touching town 15 metres in from the left corner and converted by Evan Lloyd (19-24). With the final move of an entertaining first half, Llandovery ran the ball from a lineout, 30 metres from their hosts’ goal line and right wing Llien Morgan, showing good pace and balance, scored a try, 15 metres in from the left corner. The conversion failed. Half-time score – Pontypool 19 Llandovery 29.

In the 7^th minute of the second period Pooler took a scrum following a penalty award for offside, 5 metres from the Drovers’ goal line. Experienced number eight Morgan Allen picked up from the base and the ball was recycled for new flanker Ben Williams to score Pontypool’s bonus-point try under the posts and Evan Lloyd added the extras (26-29). In the 50^th minute Pontypool centre Marcus Jones was replaced by Joel Mahoney. Five minutes later Pooler were putting the Llandovey defence under pressure and their patience was rewarded when the ball reached full back Ewan Rosser in space who crossed for a try, 15 metres in from the right corner. Evan Lloyd obliged from the tee to put the home side back in the lead (33-29). Pooler's new recruit at hooker, young Tiaan Hall was then replaced by the more experienced newcomer Rhys Williams.

Just before the hour mark Rhodri Lewis fell awkwardly near Pooler’s 22 and injured his leg with play being held up for around ten minutes for the medics to treat him and he was taken off the field on a stretcher. Everyone at Pontypool wishes Rhodri a speedy recovery, hope the injury is not serious and that he will be back playing soon. While there was a break in play there were several changes for both teams including, for the home side, Mike Herbert took over from Ben Williams and Rhys Cole made way for Kieran Meek who went to outside half, Evan Lloyd to full back and Ewan Rosser onto the wing.

Soon after play restarted, Llandovery were awarded a penalty close to the Pontypool goal line. The Drovers decided to tap and loose head prop Jamie Hughes powered over for a try near the posts. Replacement Jack Maynard converted as the visitors went into a three-point lead (33-36). On 64 minutes Pooler were on the attack near the visitors’ goal line and Liam Antrobus managed to get over the line to score his second try of the afternoon, 15 metres in from the right corner. Evan Lloyd converted as Pooler regained the lead (40-36). Pooler made a couple more changes with Dan Hill taking over from Morgan Allen and young Dan Bassett replacing veteran second row Joe Davies. In the 71^st minute Llandovery were on the attack in Pooler’s 22 on the Drovers’ left, thanks to a wonderful break by Sam Potter, covering fully 70 metres. The ball was cross kicked towards the right corner, travelling over the goal line and Llien Morgan managed to get downward pressure to score his side’s seventh try of the game, 15 metres in from the corner. The conversion went wide so Llandovery re-took the lead with a narrow one-point advantage (40-41). In the 78^th minute of this superb game, Llandovery were penalised in front of their posts for not rolling away and Evan Lloyd stepped up to slot the shot at goal (43-41). There was just under 90 seconds left on the referee’s watch as Pooler controlled the ball well from the restart with play between Pontypool’s 22 and 10-metre line. There was no room for error for the home side as it was in kicking range for a late Drovers penalty chance but Pooler ran the clock down, therefore holding on for a remarkable victory. Final score – Pontypool 43 Llandovery 41.

Both sets of players must be praised on such a fantastic game of rugby, played in a great spirit. Llandovery are a wonderful team, have been for several years, and they are reigning champions for a reason. Well done to the Drovers for their consistency over a long period as any victory over them is a victory to cherish. As for Pontypool, huge congratulations to the players and coaching staff on such a magnificent result and performance. This is a great way to start the season and, hopefully, they can take this form into their next game, on Saturday, against Bridgend at Pontypool Park, kick-off will be at 2.30pm.

Pontypool: Ewan Rosser, Rhys Cole (replaced by Kieran Meek), Marcus Jones (replaced by Joel Mahoney), Connor Edwards, Carrick McDonough, Evan Lloyd, Ellis Lewis, Jake Wisniewski (replaced by Tom Sims), Tiaan Hall (replaced by Rhys Williams), Harri Rock, Joe Davies (replaced by Dan Bassett), Liam Antrobus, Scott Matthews (captain), Ben Williams (replaced by Mike Herbert) and Morgan Allen (replaced by Dan Hill).

Llandovery: Kian Abraham (replaced by Jack Maynard), Llien Morgan, Corey Baldwin, Rhodri Jones (replaced by Tom Hughes), Aaron Warren, Sam Potter, Rhodri Lewis (replaced by Lucca Setaro), Jamie Hughes (replaced by Dino Dallavalle), Cameron Lewis (replaced by Harry Thomas), Tom Pritchard (replaced by Jac Pritchard), Morgan Jones, Harry Holden (replaced by Ben Evans), Dan Germine (replaced by Kai Jones), Tom Curry and Joe Powell (captain).