Llanelli’s winning run came to an end at Pontypridd last Saturday (21st) when the home side ran out winners 26-15. Former Llanelli player Diggy Bird certainly did the damage slotting 4 pens & 2 conversions to claim a personal 16 pt haul.
Llanelli got on the scoreboard first with a well stuck Iwan Evans penalty on 5 minutes but although they worked hard it was to be their only score of the half. Two Bird penalties interspersed by a corner flag touchdown by wing threequarter Alex Webber and with the excellent conversion it had the home side leading 13-3 at the end of the half.
The weather turned nasty at the beginning of the second half at conditions really became difficult for both sides to show their attacking intent. Hooker Taylor Davies was yellow carded and it was Bird again who made the visitors pay whilst down to 14 men with two further pens. The third quarter saw Llanelli having to defend for the best part but they regrouped and scored their first try on 65 mins when Ryan Davies crossed wide out. Any thought of a comeback soon evaporated when a narrow side move saw Joel Raikes cross between the posts for Ponty’s 2nd try. But Llanelli scored the final try of the game on 84 mins when flanker Nathan Hart bundled over, replacement Tadhg McGuckin slotted the goal to end the game.
So, a disappointing result but the boys now must build for their local derby encounter with the All Whites next Saturday 28th at Parc – y – Scarlets.