Super Rygbi Cymru: Pontypool edged out by Llandovery 21-18

The Drovers lost just twice when winning their second Premiership title on the spin last season but needed a goalline stand to leave Gwent with the spoils.

Pooler could have opted for a shot at goal to draw but backed themselves by going to the corner only for Llandovery to stop the drive and then repel the hard carries before booting a loose ball out.

The hosts, whose coach Leighton Jones was absent through illness, had to settle for a losing bonus point but they showed progress from last season when hammered 48-26 on their own turf by a rampant Drovers.

Pooler were true to their pledge to be braver with the ball with centre Joel Mahoney causing all manner of problems and Morgan Allen, initially playing lock rather than his usual number eight, carrying with trademark gusto.

They disrupted the Drovers and stopped them from hitting the heights of last season, but ultimately Euros Evans’ men found a way to win.

HIGH: Callum Davies of Pontypool wins the line out. (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

The champions came flying out of the blocks and it looked ominous when they crossed in the second minute with a well-crafted try for wing Ilan Phillips.

Pooler had a spell down to 14 men when Dragons prospect Sam Scarfe, a flanker-turned-hooker, was sin-binned in the 24th minute after referee Adam Jones spotted him kicking out off the ball.

The Drovers struck immediately with former Dragons hooker Taylor Davies, who went over 17 times last season, opened his account with Jack Maynard's conversion making it 12-3.

Pooler came flying out after the break and super footballing skills down the left wing saw Mathew Powell go over.

He was soon over for his second after a searing break by centre Joel Mahoney and well-timed pass by full-back Jordan Thomas.

Kieran Meek missed the conversion and then slotted one penalty to two by Maynard and it was 18-18 inside the last quarter.

Another searing break by Mahoney into the 22 looked like it could lead to Pooler hitting the front but instead there was a turnover and the Drovers escaped to the other end, where their fly-half knocked over a penalty with five to go.

The offence had also led to a yellow card for Joseph Scrivens and they had to chase when down to 14 men.

Pooler had a chance to go for the draw with a minute left but opted for the corner rather than a shot at goal to hunt four points rather than two. Instead they had to settle for a consolation bonus.