Neath Port Talbot College ran in six tries against Llandovery College at the Gnoll
Despite the sun in their eyes, LlandoveryCollege controlled possession for the first ten minutes of the game but some great defence from the home side denied the visitors a score. NPTC’s first visit to Llandovery’s 22 came from a lost lineout by the visitors which led to a break by Luke Scully. He raced over for the first try for the afternoon and with 12 minutes on the clock, converted it himself to extend the home side’s lead.
Llandovery College didn’t waste much time in staging a come back however. A penalty against NPTC gave the Llandovery side the put in at the scrum. Penalised for wheeling that scrum, NPTC were then pushed back into their 22. A break by centre Sean Collins then put the visitors on the scoreboard for the first time. Fly-half Dan Wainwright missing the conversion that would have brought the teams level.
At the restart Llandovery attacked well and forced a turnover in NPTC’s half, a great break by fullback Tomi Lewis scrambled the home side’s defence. Errors from the home side gave the visitors a penalty in front of the posts. Wainwright sending the ball through put the away team ahead with 23 minutes played.
Next it was the home side’s turn to put their foot on the gas, carrying the ball well and gaining more possession. Great attacking play forced a penalty against Llandovery College right under the posts. However they opted for a scrum and the ball was swiftly lost forward, picked up by the opposition and cleared.
NPTC regained their possession metres from the try line and immediately put pressure on the Llandovery. Hooker Garin Lloyd breaking through and crashing over the line to regain his sides lead before the break.
Half Time NPTC 12 – 8 Llandovery College
As the second half kicked off NPTC were fired up and wasted no time in attacking their opposition. Charging down a kick and driving the visitors into touch gave the hosts a lineout deep in Llandovery’s 22. Winning the resulting line out secured a drive over try for Garin Lloyd. Despite the conversion going wide, the home side had further etended their lead.
With the hosts dominating, a clearing kick by Llandovery found NPTC hands. They booted the ball back into Llandovery’s half and with a strong chase and pressure from the forwards NPTC forced the turnover in Llandovery’s 22. Great attacking play by the Neath based side, and quick pace by Kyle Jones sent the wing over for the college’s 4th of the afternoon. Scully adding the extras gave the hosts a 24-8 lead.
Minutes later an offload to Kyle Jones, followed by some beautiful footwork by the winger, sent him across the field and over the line for his second of the afternoon. Scully’s conversion giving the home side a 31-8 lead with 50 minutes played.
Not giving their visitors any opportunity, another forceful attack by the home side, and a clear break by Lloyd sent the hooker over for his hatrick, putting the side well ahead as the game entered the final quarter.
During the last ten minutes of the game, Llandovery College weren’t going to give up, but neither was their opposition. Deep in their own 22, the home side’s defence was outstanding, holding back and counter attacking Llandovery.
When the referee penalised NPTC replacement Rhys Williams for an offside with a yellow card the visitors were swift to take advantage. Centre Collins crossing the try line to reward Llandovery College for their efforts in the final two minutes. However the conversion attempt went wide.
FT: NPTC 36 - 13 Llandovery College
Next up for NPTC is a trip to Cardiff next Wednesday 9th September where they take on Ysgol Glantaf at 2:30pm.