With second taking on third, the game had the potential to have a say on the outcome of the title, albeit so early in the season.
And it was Dale McIntosh’s side who came away with the win as they moved above Llandovery to keep the pressure on league leaders Bedwas.
The opening exchanges of the game were played out in the middle of the park, both teams testing each other out but with the defensive lines holding firm.
A break by centre Dafydd Lockyer gave Ponty some impetus upfield and the probing kicks of outside half Dai Flanagan also gave them a territorial advantage, though the game remained scoreless.
The deadlock was finally broken as the first quarter came to a close, Ponty launching an attack initiating from a scrum in their own half, showing good support skills to maintain momentum to the home line, and rounded off as hooker Huw Dowden burrowed over for a close range try. Flanagan converted.
Llandovery responded with a phase of pressure, latching on to a loose midfield pass to advance to their opponents’ line but the Ponty defence held out defiantly. An interception by the home team was called back for a penalty which Dai Flanagan duly converted to extend Ponty’s lead to 10 unanswered points.
The Drovers then finally made an impact when after poaching line out possession, James Garland kicked a penalty, bringing up an interval score-line of 3-10.
Ponty began the second period with a surge into the home 22 but Llandovery responded in kind with a concerted phase of pressure. The home team mauled effectively to make good ground and gained further advantage through the referee’s decisions, James Garland putting over another two penalties in quick succession.
The contest was evenly balanced, both teams battling for turnovers, launching attacks and counter attacks as the two sides grafted hard to keep their try lines intact.
Ponty then suffered a double blow as centre Gavin Dacey was sin binned and home outside half James Garland slotted over a penalty in front of the posts to give his team the lead for the first time. The visitors’ repost was immediate as Dai Flanagan put over a penalty of his own, clawing back a one point advantage with 58 minutes gone.
Ponty were aggressive in defence and attack, securing a turnover to launch a snap offensive led by winger Lewis Williams, and having held off a brief Llandovery counter attack, then pulling further ahead through another Dai Flanagan penalty.
The game was balanced on a knife edge going into its last 10 minutes but Flanagan again put valuable points on the board through a well struck penalty.
Ponty’s outside half kept his team on the front foot, drilling through kicks for territory to edge a competitive contest. Llandovery once more struck back bringing their impact runners on to the ball but the Ponty defensive line remained intact. The visitors wrestled another turnover of possession to relieve the siege, and to see them through to a hard fought victory.
