As the returning champions were selected for television action, they couldn’t come back with a win but definitely came back with a bang. A thrilling game at 43-41 was one for the cameras in a very open game with some wonderful tries scored with thirteen tries scored on the day. Llandovery didn’t go home empty handed despite defeat as they picked up two vital bonus points. Written by Seán Richards, Llandovery RFC Media.
The champions were off and running early with a try 66 seconds into the season. A simple lineout move where an overlap allowed Aaron Warren off his wing to break with a pass back into Rhodri Lewis before he was stopped just short. On his shoulder though was his half back partner in Sam Potter, who had the simple job of finishing off close enough to convert for a lead at Pontypool Park only 66 seconds in.
Captain Scott Mathews lead by example to cross from short distance before young Rhys Cole crossed the whitewash shortly after for the home side. Two different tries one through the pack and Rhys Cole’s through a sharp reaction by Ewan Rosser to pounce on a loose ball and put Cole through. Evan Lloyd at 10 for Pooler was able to convert one of these.
Against an infamous front row in Pontypool, a huge motivator is a scrum penalty early as Pooler were pinged in front of the posts. Despite this, the Drovers went for touch, denying a chance to go within two points. Following this, a penalty closer to touch, again went out across the touchline, but this time resulted in a maul try. Openside Flanker Tom Curry took the ball over to bring the game to a draw in the first quarter.
A game of what looked like kick tennis took place as Potter kicked to his opposite man Evan Lloyd and chased his kick down to cross the try line. Evan Lloyd drove up with the ball, but Potter didn’t stop and picked up the ball following the charge down. Thisn was with a chasing Rhys Cole behind him. A second try in quick succession out of nowhere from the Drovers as this kick wasn’t converted either, they remained leaders.
Some sharp awareness from Rhodri Lewis and Dan Gemine, who were well aware of the laws. With the offside out of the equation over the try line, Lewis was there first to dab it down. Sam Potter was able to convert to lead by 12 with less than ten minutes to go in the first half.
These ten minutes were enough for the home side to respond as some space was found through a kick by Evan Lloyd. The electric pace of Carrick McDonough got the hack through, but flanker Ben Williams was at the end of it just short of the line. Pooler carried on as the powerful Liam Antrobus was there to push over the line from short range.
With two minutes to go, Llien Morgan, in at first receiver, saw his loop around give him space and, with his pace, there wasn’t stopping him. No easy finish either as he beat three men, but he burst through quickly enough to finish. With this being the opening half of the season for both sides, it was the defending champions returning down the tunnel with a 19-29 lead after the conversion was wide.
Only five minutes into the second half, the Drovers defended desperately, but after two
attempts just short and the advantage in hand, they shortly crossed through Ben Williams on
his debut for Pooler. Standing out all game, he did enough to pump his legs over the line.
Crossing under the posts, there was no error from Evan Lloyd from the tee.
After some patient play from Pontypool, they finally found the try as they overlapped, and a
looping pass from Evan Lloyd put in the danger man Ewan Rosser with ease. Lloyd converted then to gain a four point lead as Jac came on to replace his brother Tom Pritchard.
After losing Rhodri Lewis to a nasty injury which stopped play for a while, the Drovers denied
the easiest three points they would get, but the tap penalty paid off through Jamie Hughes.
Another short shove by Jamie Hughes got himself over, and the try was converted by replacement Jack Maynard to regain the lead.
Despite a strong shove in the push with a prop in the air for Pooler, they kept the ball and
Liam Antrobus yet again powered himself over the line for his second of the day. Not out too
wide either, which was within Evan Lloyd’s range as he converted.
Despite this, the Drovers didn’t back down, and the pace of Potter found the inside run of
Setaro, who was just short. After a quick recycle, Jack Maynard stepped into ten and sent a
crossfield kick, and Llien Morgan did enough to gather and score. A brilliant break from Sam
Potter using some blistering pace and then a quick recycle was enough to catch Pooler
lacking. Maynard following his crossfield kick couldn’t convert, and the Drovers only led by
one point with ten minutes to play.
The last main action of the game was the most important as Evan Lloyd kicked Pontypool
ahead to secure victory. In the 78th minute, he stepped up and slotted the penalty simply,
and the Drovers found themselves 43 41 down and defeated.
In a previous meeting at Pontypool Park, the home side were victorious in this clash, but in
the SRC semi final, Hughes became the hero as the fly half slotted a last gasp penalty for
the all important win. Today, this was Evan Lloyd, who with only a few minutes to go, was
heroic.
A much strengthened Pooler side over the summer was evident with their performance, but
the champions were just short after a few games in this fashion went their way last season.
The most memorable was a huge clash against RGC, which saw the Drovers find another
last gasp victory, with Pontypool also among the opponents they defeated in dramatic
fashion.
The Gwent opposition isn’t slowing down as Llandovery welcome Newport to Churchbank in
a replay of the SRC Trophy final. A first competitive game back at Churchbank as champions
awaits next week in a game destined to be a thriller.
Pontypool Starting XV (Coach: Tom Hancock)
Jake Wisniewski, Tiaan Hall (DRA), Harri Rock, Joe Davies, Liam Antrobus, Scott Matthews
(C), Ben Williams, Morgan Allen, Ellis Lewis, Evan Lloyd, Carrick McDonough, Connor
Edwards, Marcus Jones, Rhys Cole (DRA) & Ewan Rosser.
Replacements
Rhys Williams, Tom Sims, Scott Crewe (DRA), Dan Bassett (DRA), Dan Hill, Kieran Meek,
Joel Mahoney & Mike Herbert.
Llandovery Starting XV (Coach: Euros Evans)
Jamie Hughes, Cameron Lewis, Tom Pritchard, Morgan Jones, Harry Holden, Dan Gemine,
Tom Curry, Joe Powell (C), Rhodri Lewis, Sam Potter, Aaron Warren, Rhodri Jones, Corey
Baldwin, Llien Morgan & Kian Abraham.
Replacements
Harry Thomas (SCA), Dino Dallavalle, Jac Pritchard (SCA), Kai Jones (SCA), Ben Evans,
Jack Maynard, Tom Hughes & Lucca Setaro.
Tries
Pontypool: Liam Antrobus x 2, Scott Matthews, Ben Williams, Rhys Cole & Ewan Rosser.
Llandovery: Jamie Hughes, Tom Curry, Rhodri Lewis, Sam Potter x 2, Llien Morgan x 2.
Conversions
Pontypool: Evan Lloyd x 5
Llandovery: Sam Potter x 2, Jack Maynard x 1
Penalties
Pontypool: Evan Lloyd x 1