Match Report – Pontypridd v Llandovery
Reigning Welsh Premiership champions Llandovery picked up a 24-12 victory over Pontypridd at Sardis Road.
First half tries from Ioan Hughes and Adam Warren set the drovers on their way, despite applying pressure in attack, Ponty remained pointless in the opening 40 minutes before second half tries from hooker Harry Thomas and wing Jac Davies sealed the bonus point for the Drovers.
Two tries from wing McCauley Rowley and replacement Ryan Wilkins gave the Ponty supporters something to smile about however it’s a second defeat of the season from the opening three games.
Llandovery opened the scoring after two minutes when Ponty failed to claim the kick-off, winger Rhodri Wall made the break before passing to fly-half Hughes who dotted down, with the outside half’s conversion drifting wide.
The visitors added a second try after 20 minutes, outside half Hughes delivered a cross- field kick to winger Davies in midfield who stepped inside to make a half break but was brought down short of the line. But shortly after outside centre Warren sniped from close range to score, with Hughes’ conversion giving them a 12-0 lead.
Ponty had a couple of opportunities with number 8 Joe Miles making a break in midfield but his pass to centre Will Keep didn’t go to hand.
Fly-half Hughes attempted to add a penalty to the visitors lead, although his kick drifted wide and Ponty trailed 12-0 at the break.
HALF TIME – Pontypridd 0-12 Llandovery
Llandovery extended their lead at the start of the second half with hooker Harry Thomas scoring off the back of a rolling maul, the bonus point was wrapped up for the visitors on the hour mark with winger Davies dotting down in the corner.
Although Ponty did manage to get on the scoreboard with winger McCauley Rowley finishing brilliantly in the corner despite losing a boot in the act of scoring.
Ponty scored a second try when replacement Ryan Wilkins went over unopposed for Ponty’s second try, which was the final score of the game.
The hosts attempted to get a losing bonus point but despite pushing in the 22, they failed to get a third score.
Attention will turn to the Welsh Premiership Cup for Ponty against Valley rivals Merthyr at Sardis Road next Saturday September 23rd before returning to league action away at the Gnoll, against Neath on September 30th.
FULL TIME – Pontypridd 12-24 Llandovery (16/9/2023)
Match report – Iestyn Thomas
PONTYPRIDD –
15. Liam Lloyd. 14. McCauley Rowley. 13. Garyn Smith. 12. Will Keep (Ryan Wilkins). 11. Dale Stuckey. 10. Joseph Scrivens (Josh Phillips). 9. Joel Raikes (Harvey Nash).
1. Ben Stephens (Tom Devine). 2. Curtis Greenslade (Gavin Parry). 3. Tom Harper (Morgan Bosanko). 4. Macauley Cook (Mitch Barnard). 5. Chris Dicomidis. 6. Kristian Parker (c). 7. Cai James (Will Gregory). 8. Joe Miles.
Subs: 16. Gavin Parry. 17. Tom Devine. 18. Morgan Bosanko. 19. Mitch Barnard. 20. Will Gregory. 21. Harvey Nash. 22. Josh Phillips. 23. Ryan Wilkins.
Tries: McCauley Rowley, Ryan Wilkins
Conversion: Josh Phillips
LLANDOVERY –
15. Harri Doel. 14. Rhodri Wall. 13. Adam Warren. 12. Rhodri Jones. 11. Jac Davies. 10. Ioan Hughes. 9. Lee Rees (c).
1. Jamie Hughes. 2. Harry Thomas. 3. Richard Bassett. 4. Chris Long. 5. Joe Powell. 6. Osian Davies. 7. Stuart Worall. 8. Jordan Evans.
Subs: 16. Llew Phillips-Taylor. 17. Dino Dallavalle. 18. Guto Jones. 19. Luca Giannini. 20. Nathan Hart. 21. Macs Page. 22. Tal Rees. 23. Ben Thomas.
Tries: Ioan Hughes, Adam Warren, Harry Thomas, Jac Davies
Conversions: Ioan Hughes x 2
Referee: Ben Breakspear
Assistant referees: 1 – Elfyn Morris-Roberts, 2 – Martin Beazer
Golden Bob Man of the Match: Kristian Parker
WRU Man of the Match: Curtis Greenslade
