It was also the Drovers’ first win on their new 3G pitch and earned them a full set of six points. The victory over the All Whites came a week after they stripped Newport of their unbeaten tag as they showed they are likely to be pushing for a play-off place later in the season.
Scarlets full back Ellis Mee picked up the man of the match award for his sparkling performance which featured one of the home side’s six tries. Hooker Finn Thomas scored a brace, and the others came from Aaron Warren, Morgan Jones and Ilan Phillips.
To their credit, Swansea competed hard in the first half as they chased their first win of the season and came up with a try from back row man Lucca Giannini to cut the gap at the break to a mere eight points at 21-13.
Tom Hancock has laid it on the line to his Pontypool players ahead of this weekend’s Gwent derby clash with Newport, telling them they are conceding too many penalties and points.
Home advantage will be a help against a Newport side who lost their unbeaten record to Llandovery last week, but after losing 41-21 at Carmarthen Park last weekend against the Quins newly appointed head coach Hancock felt it was time to deliver a few home truths.
“We started the game against Quins very well and played some excellent rugby. But as a group we were very disappointed at the way we then became ill disciplined and then compounded that with errors,” said Hancock.
“We showed plenty of togetherness to get back into the contest but to leave with only one point hurt us. We have a clear understanding of where we went wrong and will look to rectify those points at home against Newport.
“We’re conceding too many points and penalties and fixing that will be a priority. If we do that, we feel we have the game to beat anyone in the league.
“We need to build more consistency in our performances off the base of good discipline and organised defence.”
Pooler have conceded 169 in their five games to date leaving them in negative equity with a -17 points difference. They have scored 21 tries in those matches, but also conceded 21 – the third highest in SRC.
Newport could go back to the top of the table if they can win at Pontypool Park and other results go their way. They currently lie in third with a game in hand on the top two teams, Cardiff and Ebbw Vale.
Ty Morris has been able to recall hooker Wade Langley after his return from injury and will have scrum half Che Hope and lock Barny Langton-Cryer making their first starts of the season. They also have Dragons outside half Will Reed on the bench.
League leaders Cardiff welcome Aberavon to the Arms Park, where the home fans will be hoping Wales U18 wing Tom Bowen can continue in his rich vein of try scoring form. He notched his second hat-trick last weekend as the Blue & Blacks stayed top of the pile.
“I don’t believe there is any pressure, we don’t pay attention to anything outside of our camp – we just focus on each game and prepare correctly for that each week,” said acting skipper Craig Hudd.
“We just need to keep playing the way we are. There are a few work-ons from the game against Swansea and it’s just about tidying up a few parts of our game.
“We’re expecting a strong set piece from Aberavon, and we know it’s going to be a tough game. We’ll need to be at our best to get the result we want.”
Carmarthen Quins will head to north Wales full of confidence after their bounce-back bonus-point win over Pontypool last weekend. Tom Phillips will lead a side which features four changes from last weekend’s victorious starting XV.
Scarlets’ loosehead prop Sam O’Connor and No 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu come in to bolster the pack, while Ifan Davies and Rhodri Lewis will form a new half-back pairing. RGC skipper Danny Cross misses the game, but they will have 6’ 7” Seattle Seawolves lock Isaia Lotawa making his debut in the second row.
Bridgend will be without former Wales U20 centre Tom Florence in their side for the home clash with second place Ebbw Vale. Florence’s stunning form in the SRC has earned him a call-up to the Ospreys regional ranks.
Curtis Greogry will make his 50th appearance for the Steelmen, who welcome back Canadian international Sion Parry in the back row.
SUPER RYGBI CYMRU ROUND 6 TEAMS
BRIDGEND v EBBW VALE – Brewery Field (2.30pm)
Bridgend: Edd Howley; Rhydian Greenhall, Ryan Wilkins, Tommy Morgan, Mccauley Rowley; Ben Burnell, Harvey Nash; Harry Olding, Curtis Greenslade, Liam Tobias, Barnaby Waddell, Evan Hill, Jordan Collier, Zac O’Drisoll (captain), Tom Jevons
Reps: Corey Lewis, Alex George, Marley Lovell, Kyle Harris, Alfie Llewellyn, Chris Williams, Jake Thomas, Iwan GriffithEbbw Vale: Matt Jones; Harry Rees-Weldon, Cameron Davies, Dom Franchi, Ewan Bowden; Evan Lloyd, Jon Evans; Morgan Williams, Joe Franchi (captain), Adam Williams, Dylan Bartlett, Curtis Gregory, Jack Pope, Sion Parry, Ryan Jenkins
Reps: Ieuan Morris, Luke Garrett, Adam Court, Lewis Young, Ben Main, Rory Harries, Josh Malson, Ieuan EvansCARDIFF v ABERAVON – Cardiff Arms Park (2.30pm)
Cardiff: Joe Goodchild; Kodie Stone, Elijah Evans, Luke Pollock, Dewi Cross; Harri Wilde, Sion Davies; Marc Thomas, Alun Rees, Tom Harper, Ethan Phillips, Craig Hudd (captain), Evan Rees, Lucas de la Rua, Benji Williams
Reps: Gavin Parry, Jared Williams, Christian Brooke, Aled Ward, Matty Bridge, Ethan Lloyd, Jason Harries, Matty YoungAberavon: Luke Davies; Cori Lewis-Jenkins, Frankie Jones, Sam Jardine, Connor Moyse; Ed Dunford, Liam Seaward; Dylan James, Cameron Lewis, Geraint James, Shay Smallman, Lewis Marsh, James Clegg, Ashton Evans, Taine Morgan
Reps: Scott Whitlock, Charlie Thomas, Caine Woolerton, Luke Davies, Cameron Loveys, Louis Fletcher, Rowan Jenkins, Andrew WaitePONTYPOOL V NEWPORT – Pontypool Park (2.30pm)
Newport: Ioan Davies; Lloyd Lewis, Jon Morris, Chay Foster-Smith, Liam Lloyd; Carwyn Penny, Che Hope; Tom Workman, Wade Langley, Nathan Evans, Max Williams, Barny Langton-Cryer, Josh Skinner, George Young, Ben Roach (captain)
Reps: Henry Palmer, Harry Fry, Ollie Drake, Joe Peard, Kyle Tayler, Josh Reid, Dafydd Buckland, Will ReedRGC v CARMARTHEN QUINS – Stadiwm CSM (2.30pm)
RGC: Sam Earl-Jones; Rhys Tudor, Afon Bagshaw, Delwyn Jones, Sam Stoddard; Billy McBryde, Connor Dever; Gareth Parry, Jac Petch-Jones, Pedr Jones, Tal Taylor, Isaia Lotawa, Dan Owen (captain), Ethan Fackrell, Sam Williams
Reps: Jack Tomlinson, Joe Simpson, Pat Nelson, Billy McQueeney, Charlie Probert, Celt Ffrancis-Roberts, Dan Roderick, Harri HughesCarmarthen Quins: Eilir George; Iori Badham, Jac Howells, Gabe McDonald, Louis Rees; Ifan Davies, Rhodri Lewis; Sam O’Connor, Lewis Morgan, Ifan James, Lee Taylor, Josh Helps, Tom Phillips (captain), Keanu Evans, Carwyn Tuipulotu
Reps: Will C Lewis, Sion Jones, Connor Allen, Ryan Bean, Lewys Millin, Tom Curry, Rhodri Davies, Osian Jones
