Pooler hit back to see off Drovers

LLANDOVERY went down to a 19-14 defeat at home to Pontypool in a pre-season friendly at Church Bank, writes Huw S Thomas.

The Championship side were competitive throughout, soaked up heavy early pressure and came through strongly in the latter stages.

The Drovers fielded new signings in full-back Jack Maynard, prop Llyr Green and fly-half Ioan Hughes, with Maynard and Green both marking their return to the club.

Coach Euros Evans used this first friendly of the season to take a look at no fewer than 39 players.

“Playing three periods of 20 minutes gave us plenty of opportunities to see what’s available to us, not for just the immediate season but looking further ahead,” said the head coach.

Hughes and flanker Osian Davies scored early tries for the Drovers, both converted by Hughes as the hosts began by attacking with flair and adventure.

It was all Llandovery for the first 20 minutes and Pooler did well to hang on under sustained pressure to keep the score at 14-0.

After the first break and a host of changes, Pontypool got back into the contest when a slick move from a line-out ended with outstanding flanker Scott Matthews crashing over for a try, converted by Matthew Jarvis.

And when a home movement broke down in midfield, Pooler full-back Pat Lewis snapped up the loose ball and sprinted in at the corner to narrow the gap to 14-12.

Both sides kept making changes in the stifling conditions, and in the final stages of the match Lewis once again jinked through a hesitant home defence for his second try, which was converted by Dai Langdon.

National One side Cinderford are the visitors to Church Bank on Saturday (2.30pm).