Ponty secured plenty of early possession, probing into their opponents’ half but unable to threaten a score. Both captains were given a talking to as referee Craig Evans imposed his way of thinking on the game.
Llandovery strove hard to up the tempo of play, taking a quick line-out throw then a quick tap penalty, but the first ten minutes remaining at a stalemate. Both teams were ready and willing to attack, but both defences more than capable of nullifying any threat with rarely a tackle missed.
The visitors were by now maintaining a territorial advantage, and reaped their reward following a line-out drive as hooker Luke Lewis burrowed over for a try which Jack Maynard converted. Ponty responded by effectively chasing a high kick, setting up camp in the Drovers’ twenty-two before moving the ball wide for winger Owen Jenkins to cross for a try. Llandovery increased their lead as Maynard stroked over a penalty, but Ponty showing no such intention to kick at goal, opting instead to find touch and drive to the line, to be awarded a penalty try for their efforts.
The home team were now on the front foot, winger Lewis Williams taken out when in full flight, but no penalty awarded, and hooker Ashleigh James leading a charge upfield. Persistence paid off as winger Jenkins received a pop pass to cross for another try, with Llandovery lock Phil Day dispatched to the sin bin as Ponty carried a 20pts to 10 advantage into the interval.
Ponty launched a kick and chase counter as play resumed, winger Owen Jenkins powering his way over the try line to claim a hat-trick of tries, and secure a bonus point for his side, with Ceri Sweeney adding the conversion from wide out. The home team were showing a hunger for possession, and willing to utilise it by launching attacks from all field positions.
The momentum of the game was slowed down by a series of re-set scrums, before Ponty settled their set piece to drive relentlessly to the visitor’s line, lock Dan Godfrey receiving the ball to cross for a try. All attempts by the Drovers to strike back were thwarted, with Ponty showing aggression in defence and a willingness to counter from deep.
The game was now a stop start affair, sometimes slowed down in the setting of scrums, with the referee’s whistle and interpretations becoming increasingly influential. As Llandovery pressed forward, Ponty flanker Jake Thomas was dispatched to the sin bin, the visitors taking full advantage as No8 Richard Brooks powered over for a try. The home team were reduced to 13 as Owen Jenkins was next into the bin for a high tackle, but the Ponty’s rearguard held firm for victory.
