The Dairymen are unbeaten this season with 21 victories and learned after lifting the cup in the wake of their 44-3 triumph that they are now guaranteed promotion back to Division 1 East Central after Caerphilly were beaten at Llantwit Fardre.
Well clear at the top of Division 2 East Central, the Dairymen’s next target is to win the Division 2 East Central title and to stay on course for the Silver Ball final.
Llanharan were dominant from minute one against a Porthcawl side coached by Wales internationals Ryan Bevington and Tom Prydie, and cruised to glory. It was 18-3 in Llanharan’s favour at half-time following tries from Jack Brooks and Jack Walker with skipper and outside half Scott Jones converting both and landing two penalties.
Walker had scored when Llanharan had beaten Bryncethin two years ago in the WRU National Bowl final. They were promoted as Division 3 East Central champions last season. It was a tough test for Porthcawl and all they could muster in response after being out-powered and out-played in the first half was a penalty from outside half Josh White.
“We knew what we were up against, and it definitely didn’t go to plan. Llanharan are a lot more mature and experienced, and they played some great rugby,” said Bevington.
“We’ve got a young side that is growing and developing, and we will take a lot of learnings from this game. We have come a long way in the last three seasons, but they are probably two or three years ahead of us in their development.
“It was a great achievement to reach this final at Principality Stadium and they should be very proud of that. We need to draw a line in the sand, learn and move on.”
Llanharan started in spectacular fashion with a pin-point cross-kick finding left wing Joe Davies. He won the ball and seconds later centre Brooks was scoring wide out for an unconverted try.
White replied for Porthcawl, but the remainder of the half was one-sided with Llanharan, expertly drilled by the coaching prowess of the hugely respected Gareth Nicholas, threatening to run amok.
Jones punished a Porthcawl indiscretion with a penalty and a sweeping attack saw powerhouse forward Owain Howe involved twice before hooker Walker turned up inside him for the score. Jones converted and added a penalty to end the half with them in a commanding position.
“Porthcawl are a very good side, and we didn’t expect it to end with a result like that. We fronted up, dug in hard and got the job done,” said Llanharan skipper, Jones.
“We have to give massive credit to our coach Gareth Nicholas because he got us all together, pulled some boys back to the club and we are on a bit of a roll and playing for him.”
It got sweeter for Jones’ side soon after the interval with Davies handing off a would-be tackler, and rounding another, to run around between the uprights for a soft score. Jones converted for a 22-point lead.
Davies got a second try following another barn-storming sprint and later linked with full-back Michael Jones to put scrum half Leon Burton over for a popular touchdown. Jones converted both to take his points haul to 14.
Replacement Ieuan Evans got their sixth try after they went in excess of 80 metres with a sweeping handling movement. It was the perfect end to the perfect game.
DIVISION 2 CUP FINAL – PORTHCAWL 3 – 44 LLANHARAN
Porthcawl: Sam Comley; Jakob Williams, Jonathan Phillips, Ben Roach, Will Mahoney; Josh White, Matthew Ellis; Euan Manley, Jack Williams (captain), Michael Gulley, Richard Hnyda, Jordan Fox, Leon McNally, Josh Woodbridge, Ryan Jones
Reps: Harry Cooper, Sam Flanagan, Tomos Wilson, Jake Holland, Iwan Power, Connor Murdy, Cameron Maisey, Elliot Bennett
Scorer: P: J WhiteLlanharan: Michael Jones; Adam Lewis, Harley Thomson, Jack Brooks, Joe Davies; Scott Jones (captain), Leon Burton; Rhys Taylor, Jack Walker, Gethin Cashmore, Owain Howe, Kieran Martin, Jack Thomson, Lloyd Gregory, Ieuan Pring
Reps: Tom Jenkins, Sam Richards, Jonathan Fletcher, Ieuan Evans, Joe Buckle, Louis Stansbury, Ryan Russell, Jack Pring
Scorers: T: J Davies 2, J Brooks, J Walker, L Burton, I Evans; C: S Jones 4; P: S Jones 2Go.Compare Player of the Match: Ieuan Pring (Llanharan)
