Pontypool thought they had spoiled one of Lee Rees’ last chance for silverware in a Drovers shirt, but Hughes was the hero. Ioan Hughes stepped up and slotted a difficult pressure-packed penalty to send the Drovers to the final with the last kick of the match. Written by Seán Richards, Cardiff Met sports media student.
With three minutes left, the visitors thought they had it but late drama denied them. No team kept the lead for long, but Llandovery had the most important one as the referee blew up for full time at an unusually sunny but chilly Churchbank.
Kieran Meek opened the scoring with an early penalty for the visitors, but it sparked Llandovery into life with a try through Harri Doel. Corey Baldwin found some space and sped up, then a superb out the back offload allowed Doel to dive over the line. Hughes coolly converted from all the way out wide to take the lead 7-3.
Just before the half time whistle, Morgan Allen powered over the line which was converted from wide by captain Kieran Meek. After the phases and pressure built up, Jamie Hughes saw yellow for repeated offences just before the try. A physical affair as Pontypool went down the tunnel with the lead 7-10.
The second half started frantically as Hughes crossed under the posts and the game came alive. Cam Lewis broke through cleanly and used some pace to fix the defender, and a perfect pass off the weak hand let Ioan Hughes clean through. Hughes converted his own try to take the lead 14-10.
A change at half time must’ve been discussed, as Hughes’ penalty clattered the post before going over the crossbar and extending the lead to 17-10 only five minutes in. Pontypool failed to punish with their man advantage, as Hughes from long distance secured another penalty to extend the lead to 20-10 fifty minutes in.
Llandovery refused to stand down to a strong Pontypool as they looked solid with a scrum penalty on their own five meter, just before Hughes pointed to the posts and converted. The half time chat was deemed to be crucial as the points built and a 23-10 lead with twenty minutes to go, has one foot in the final for Llandovery.
Chances built up for Pooler as one opportunity was held up and the other forced into touch. In the build up Morgan Allen was bowling players over including Osian Davies who saw yellow and was forced to leave injured as a result of these heavy carries.
Pontypool surged late as Ewan Rosser crossed with seven minutes to go. Scott Mathews looked to carry but there was no stopping Ewan Rosser running hard on his shoulder as he broke straight through. With Pooler replying to a strong start to the second half for Llandovery, they found their reply with a converted try.
Pressure piled on from Pontypool and the ball was worked wide to Huw Anderson, who crossed untouched after some simple hands. With three minutes to go, Ford held his nerve to convert, leaving the score 24-23 to the visitors. The travelling Pooler fans made their noise heard, but had they done enough for a place in the final?
As the last minute came up on the clock, an all important penalty was awarded and Ioan Hughes had a chance to send Llandovery into the final at the death. A very tough kick but it was over and Llandovery erupted as players swarmed the heroic Ioan Hughes. A real nail biting kick, as it looked wide but the ball came back in on time and the linesmen raised their flags. Llandovery had done it and secured the final with a 26-24 win at the dying stages.
No team ever held a true foothold in the game as it sparked to life in the second half despite a ferocious first half effort by the Gwent Valley pack. The other semi final was full of drama, with Newport claiming victory in extra time. Ebbw Vale, who have had an unbelievable season, were conquered by last year’s league play-off winners, Newport, who the Drovers will face in next week’s final in Cardiff.
Llandovery Starting XV ( Coach – Euros Evans )
Jamie Hughes, Cam Lewis, Berian Watkins, Griff Evans, Joe Powell, Osian Davies, Stuart Worrall, Evan Sheldon, Lee Rees (C), Loan Hughes, Llien Morgan, Adam Warren, Corey Baldwin, Harri Doel, Kian Abraham.
Replacements
Finn Thomas, Dino Dallavalle, Aneurin Morgan, Harry Holden, Tiaan Sparrow, Rhodri Jones, Jack Maynard, George Macdonald.
Pontypool Starting XV ( Coach – Tom Hancock )
Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Sam Scarfe, Owen Popple, Joe Davies, Loon, Dan Hill, Scott Matthews, Ryan Jones, Morgan Allen, Logan Franklin, Kieran Meek, Carrick McDonough, Joel Mahoney, Pat Lewis, Ewan Rosser, Huw Anderson.
Replacements
Jake Wisniewski, Aneurin James, Kyan Best, Buster Bodkin, Marcus Jones, Harri Ford, Ioan Evans.
Tries
Llandovery – Harri Doel x 1, Ioan Hughes x 1
Pontypool – Morgan Allen x 1, Ewan Rosser x 1, Huw Anderson x 1.
Conversions
Llandovery – Ioan Hughes x 2
Pontypool – Kieran Meek x 1, Harri Ford x 2.
Penalties
Llandovery – 4 x Ioan Hughes