Deadly Drovers Sink Pooler with First Half Blitz

The Premiership’s outstanding leaders, Llandovery, were in town on a chilly Friday evening and after the corresponding away fixture Pontypool knew they were in for a testing encounter. The Drovers had been scoring points for fun of late and with the TV cameras present they would be looking to continue their impressive form.

The one thing Pooler could not afford was a sluggish start and, quite frankly, they were blown away by an awesome display of pace and power by the visitors. Llandovery scored three tries in the first thirteen minutes with Pooler barely getting a sniff of the ball. A brace of tries for Abraham and a try from Davies were created by excellent support play and deadly finishing. The tricky wind meant that only one try was converted but the Drovers had raced to a 0-17 lead.

As the first quarter ended, Pooler finally got some field position and capitalised on it with a try from Scarfe who burst through the Drovers defence after a thrust by Mahoney. Jarvis converted  and Pooler were at least off the mark at 7-17.

Sadly, this was a brief respite as normal service was resumed just afterwards with the away side continuing to boss the game. On the half hour, Aaron Warren crossed for a try in the left corner which was converted by Hughes (7-24). Shortly afterwards Aaron Warren seized on a loose ball in his own half and stormed down the left touchline outpacing the Pooler defence. He could have scored himself but chose to pass inside to the supporting Adam Warren who scored under the posts . The successful conversion made the score 7-31 with Pooler left befuddled and bemused.

There was still time for more agony for Pooler when Abraham crossed in the right corner for his hat trick. The conversion failed but Llandovery were completely in control at 7-36. To all intents and purposes, the game was over but the crowd had been treated to a superb display by the league leaders. With their green shirts they reminded me of Ireland at times.

Pooler were playing for pride in the second half and no doubt were reminded of this in the changing room. Pooler playing down the slope started the half with real purpose. Within the first couple of minutes, they had established themselves in the Drovers twenty two. Scrum half Morgan Lloyd took a quick tapped penalty and scooted over for a try. Jarvis converted and the score was now 14-36.

Pooler continued to press and the Drovers looked taken aback by the ferocity of their challenge. A few minutes later pooler were back in the Drovers twenty two and this time Lloyd sniped around the blind side to score his second try. The conversion failed but the scoreboard was looking far healthier at 19-36. Could we dare to dream?

Back came the visitors and this time it was forward power that told. They kicked a penalty to touch and rumbled over from the ensuing lineout with Davies touching down in the left corner. The try was expertly converted by Maynard and Llandovery now led 19-43 as we went into the final quarter. As usual there had been mass substitutions and it was good to see a debut for the Canadian lock Kelly for Pooler.

Pooler still had ambitions to get a bonus point for a fourth try and went on the attack. The game became quite open as a consequence. From a ruck near halfway Morgan Lloyd spotted a gap and raced clear to score under the posts with the try converted by Jarvis. This was a hat trick for the livewire scrumhalf and delivered the bonus point (26-43).

It was Llandovery who had the final say with another try for Davies from a driving lineout. The conversion missed and left the final score Pontypool 26 : Llandovery 48.

Pooler were handed a real lesson in the first half with Llandovery playing brilliant rugby. The Drovers are a good side with plenty of pace behind, clever halfbacks and a tough pack of forwards. On this evidence they thoroughly deserve to sit on top of the Premiership. Pooler showed great spirit and not a little skill to “win” the second half and grab a bonus point but were clearly second best.

The next match for Pooler is away at improving Neath in a couple of weeks. The two sides know it each other well so sit should be an enthralling match.

Wales take on the French on Sunday afternoon with a few surprises in the selection. Let us hope that the changes come up trumps and Wales record a first victory in the Six nations Championship. I ma not holding my breath though.

Come on Pooler!

Come on Wales!