Pontypool scored 26 unanswered points in the second half to secure their first Super Rygbi Cymru win since October
Pontypool head coach tom Hancock(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)
Pontypool head coach Tom Hancock hailed an “old school Pooler” display after his side delivered a scintillating second half performance to record a stunning 40-24 comeback victory over Llandovery in Super Rygbi Cymru.
Trailing 24-14 at the break, bottom side Pooler then scored 26 answered points in the second half to finally end their 11-game losing run and secure their first league win since 18 October.
Llandovery had raced into a 17-0 lead inside 20 minutes at Pontypool Park and, by the half-hour mark, already had a try bonus point in the bag. Wing Aaron Warren scored twice, with back row Dan Gemine and hooker Cameron Lewis also on the scoresheet. Jack Maynard converted two of them, as they led 24-7.
First half tries from wing Ioan Duggan and lock Lance Randall, both improved by Kieran Meek, kept Pooler in the game.
It was a completely different story though after the re-start when a second half onslaught from the hosts left the Drovers stunned.
Full-back Ellis Davies, hooker Sam Scarfe, back row stalwart Scott Matthews and scrum-half Ellis Lewis all scored in the second half. Meek added the extras to three of them.
It also saw Pooler avenge their heartbreaking last-kick 26-24 SRC Cup semi-final defeat at Llandovery back on February 28.
“It was old school Pooler, down the slope in the second half and the boys played with real intensity and we looked unstoppable in patches,” said Hancock.
“Having been in the Premiership / SRC now for three years, they remained the only team we hadn’t beaten – and we felt we owed them one after losing the cup semi-final so narrowly away.
“It was pleasing to remind supporters and opposition that we’ve not given up and that we’re more than capable of beating anyone when we play to our potential.”
At the other end of the table, SRC leaders Ebbw Vale crashed to a second straight home defeat – and a third league reverse in four – as they went down 18-10 against top six chasers RGC.
Tries from wing Caio Parry and scrum-half Connor Dever and eight points from the boot of Billy McBryde secured a third win on the spin for the in-form north Walians.
Hooker Ieuan Morris got the Ebbw try, converted by Tom Price – who also kicked a penalty.
Defeat for Ebbw meant they missed the chance to cement top spot with one round of regular fixtures to play. The Steelmen are already assured of home advantage in the play-off quarter-finals, as well as the semis if they make it.
With Cardiff also confirmed in the top two and Newport assured of at least fourth, that leaves Llandovery and Swansea to battle it out for the final top four place and a home quarter-final.
Swansea, meanwhile, lost 34-33 at home for the second Saturday in a row, this time to Bridgend Ravens. The Whites lost to Ebbw Vale by the same scoreline the weekend before.
Hooker Corey Lewis and outside half Lloyd Wilkins both bagged braces for Bridgend, with full-back Ed Howley and wing Cameron Ellis also scoring tries. Wilkins converted two of them.
Wing Iwan Glynn, full-back Mat Protheroe, hooker Jamie Cox and replacement James Price were the scorers for Swansea – who were also awarded a penalty try. Josh Phillips kicked three conversions.
With Llandovery losing, it was a missed opportunity for Swansea to close the gap further on the Drovers – but two bonus points edges them a point closer – now four behind – and means there is still a chance they could grab fourth spot this weekend.Aberavon made it back-to-back victories after a 20-15 triumph at Carmarthen Quins.
Quins led 5-0 at the break courtesy of flanker Ben Williams’ unconverted try, before Elis Price landed with a drop goal after the re-start.
Tries from Gwilym Evans and Luke Davies, both converted by Scott Delnevo, saw the Wizards then take the lead, but a second Quins try, scored by hooker Lewis Morgan and converted by Ifan Davies, edged the hosts back in front 15-14.
However two late penalties from replacement Tomi Booth secured the victory for Aberavon.
The defeat was a further blow to Quins’ top six hopes and they now trail sixth placed RGC by four points going into the last round of regular games.
The sides finishing in fifth and sixth after 18 rounds will be away in the last eight but avoiding the elimination round – which sees seventh playing 10th and eighth hosting ninth.
Aberavon, Bridgend and Pontypool will be in the elimination round where they will be joined by one of Carmarthen Quins or RGC.