Last year’s Premiership champions fought off the firm challenge of Pontypool to go into next Saturday’s SRC trophy semi-final against Ebbw Vale at Eugene Cross Park, writes Huw S Thomas.

The Drovers remain on course to do another cup and league double but will face an Ebbw side who fought off Carmarthen Quins 45-35.

In the other semi-final Cardiff, 31-19 winners over Bridgend, will face Newport, who got the better of Aberavon 40-25.

Pooler travelled full of hope after twice running Llandovery close in the league, their new coach Tom Hancock well informed about the strengths and weaknesses of the Drovers following his recent highly successful assistant coaching stint at Church Bank.

They competed with their usual unbridled gusto but were overshadowed by the all-round excellence of a sprightly Drovers side, firm in defence, adventurous, well-connected and ambitious in attack.

“Pontypool made us work hard but I felt that we were always in control” said Llandovery coach Euros Evans.

“Whenever we looked to pull clear, they came back at us so we had to keep focussed right up to the end and it was only in the dying minutes - when we scored two quick tries – that we could finally relax.

“It’s another big challenge against a Gwent club next week, away from home, and it’s one more exciting moment for the whole club as we try to reach another final.”

All four of this coming Saturday’s semi-finalists finished in the top four of the table but the competitiveness of the SRC has been highlighted by the challenge that Bridgend, Aberavon, Pontypool and Carmarthen Quins provided in the quarter-finals.

Led by the ‘Artful Dodger‘ himself, scrum-half Lee Rees, the Drovers outscored Pooler six tries to two, playing a high tempo game that the visitors could not match.

Rees was one of a number of home players to find top form.

The broken field running of full-back Jac Davies, then deadly finishing of wing Harri Doel, the smoothness of the centre pairing of Adam Warren and Rhodri Jones and the commanding influence of fly-half Ioan Hughes shone brightly.

Prop Jamie Hughes did the work of two men in the loose, lock Ed Scragg showed how mystifying is his release by the Scarlets in starring in all phases of play whilst the back row was everywhere in attack and defence.

Osian Davies, Joe Powell and Stuart Worrall showed their pedigree by outshining the vaunted trio of Scott Matthews, Morgan Allen and Mike Herbert.

Llandovery were out of the blocks quickly, a terrific run by wing Llien Morgan setting up a fine opening first minute try by Doel, but soon answered by a penalty from fly half HarriFord.

Doel was nearly over again before lock Morgan Jones forced his way over from close range, Hughes converting for a 12-3 lead.

Back came Pooler when a quick tap penalty by scrum-half Morgan Lloyd put in Matthews for a converted try only for Hughes to crash through for a 17-10 lead.

Ford’s second penalty brought Pooler back to 17-13 at the interval.

In the second half, both sides had tries overturned by the TMO but there was no argument about Jac Davies taking a beautiful pass from Rhodri Jones to slip past the final defender.

Hughes added the conversion and kicked a penalty for 27-13 lead but once again Pooler hung on with a try by replacement scrum-half Rhodri Cole, made by centre Joel Mahoney and converted by Ford.

It was to be Pooler’s final effort, as a pick up and pass by Powell sent Doel home before a close range line-out ended with replacement hooker Garan Williams burrowing through.

Replacement Jack Maynard added a fine conversion to disguise the fact that the game had been mightily tighter than the final score line suggested.

Tries H: Doel (2), M Jones, J Hughes, J Davies, G Williams

Cons: I Hughes (2), J Maynard

Pen: I Hughes

Tries: S Matthews, R Cole

Cons::H Ford (2)

Pens: H Ford (2)

Llandovery: J Davies; H Doel, Adam Warren, R Jones, L Morgan; I Hughes, L Rees (capt); J Hughes, T Davies, B Watkins, M Jones, E Scragg, O Davies, J Powell, S Worrall

Replacements: D Dallavalle, G Williams, B Leung, E Sheldon, N Hart, I Phillips, J Maynard, G MacDonald

Pontypool : H Jarvis; I Duggan, P Lewis, J Mahoney, M Jones; H Ford, M Lloyd; G Tuckley, E Wood, K Williams, I Jones, D Hill, S Matthews, M Allen, M Herbert (capt)

Replacements: C Chapman, K Best, H Drane, L Robey, R Jones, R Cole, J Thomas, C Davies