Two late tries ensured victory with replacements Berian Watkins and Callum Dodd crossing in the final quarter to seal victory against a lack lustre Ponty side who struggled to maintain possession in tricky conditions.
“The plastic pitch at Pontypridd is a godsend in conditions like that and allowed us to play a bit. At half-time I would gave bitten your hand off for a win, but in the end we were unhappy at not perhaps going on to get the bonus-point try,” said Drovers head coach Euros Evans.
“We are finding ways to win and we scored some good team tries. Our props are coming of age and our driving line out is working, so I’m happy with the way our forwards are shaping up.”
Evans’ men have two games in hand on table-topping Cardiff and are 10 points behind. Aberavon are second, one point ahead of the Drovers having played two more matches, while fourth placed Ebbw Vale are also well in the mix with 38 points from their 11 games.
“The top four are all doing well, but I still think Newport and RGC could come through and challenge. We just have to get through the wet period of the season and hope we can shine when the pitches get a bit harder,” added Evans.
The visitors started the game the brighter, with the opening try coming after a superb support line from scrumhalf Dafydd Land after a midfield break by Drovers full back Jack Maynard. It was their first entry into Ponty territory and they made it count.
Maynard added the extras and the visitors were on the front foot from the start. Ponty struggled to gain control in the opening stages before Ben Burnell slotted two penalties to get their first points of the afternoon. Both Burnell and Maynard traded penalties as the visitors led 10-6.
The game featured a brilliant battle between Drovers No 8 Davies and his opposite man Joe Miles. Davies just shaded it with some strong carrying and a brilliant defensive effort when required as he made his first appearance since returning from a shoulder injury.
Former Wales U20 outside half Burnell then added two further penalties to give the home side a narrow lead before Maynard added his second penalty to regain the lead at 13-12.
Watkins scored from a powerful rolling maul before forwards and backs combined for a brilliant score which was finished off by Dodd.
The defeat leaves Ponty still stuck third from bottom and facing a basement battle at Bridgend this weekend. The Ravens are three points behind them but have two games in hand.
Scorers: Pontypridd: Pens: B Burnell 4. Llandovery: Tries: D Land, B Watkins, C Dodd; Con: J Maynard; Pens: J Maynard 2
