Last season’s double winners crushed all before them in the previous campaign and on this evidence, they will be a similarly tough proposition this time around.
The first half had been an even affair with the two sides going into the break locked at six points apiece. Simon Humberstone and Lee Evans had done the damage, each kicking two penalties.
But in the second half, the Drovers could only manage three more points as Pontypridd’s attack started to fire.
A third penalty from Evans had put Llandovery into the lead but tries from skipper Chris Dicomidis and centre Dafydd Lockyer secured the win for the defending Premiership champions.
The friendly encounter had got underway in greasy conditions, a steady drizzle descending on Sardis Road, one which was to persist throughout the afternoon. The weather didn’t make for the best spectacle but it was Llandovery who got the better of the early exchanges through the power of their pack.
With little flow to the play though, it was kicks at goal that kept the scoreboard ticking over, winger Evans opening Llandovery’s account before outside half Humberstone responded with two successful attempts for Pontypridd.
The home side then thought they had crossed for the first try of the day, a kick chased by centre Lockyer giving them some forward momentum. The ball was then worked wide for winger Matthew Nuthall to cross though the score was disallowed for a forward pass.
The disappointment was compounded when another Humberstone penalty rebounded off a post and when Evans hoisted over a late penalty, it was all square at the break.
After half time, the game became a lottery in the deteriorating conditions – frequent handling errors interrupting its flow. It was the home side who were in the ascendancy though, enjoying a near monopoly of possession, but time and again failing to take the scoring chances on offer.
The persistent pressure began to tell though and after Evans put Llandovery into the lead, Pontypridd raised their game.
A speculative cross kick chased by Nuthall gave the home side some impetus, the pack driving on from the ensuing line out for lock Dicomidis to barge over for a close range try wide out. A brief period of Llandovery pressure was rebuffed before Humberstone drilled over a penalty to extend his side’s lead.
In the final minutes of a disappointing encounter, Pontypridd piled on the pressure with a series of five metre scrums before the ball was shipped out for Lockyer to cross for a second try.
Replacement Dion McIntosh added the conversion to secure the win.
