Llanelli 24-21 Llandovery
Llanelli got a much needed win over fellow regionalists Llandovery. This was a ‘tasty’ affair with the home side receiving 3 yellows whilst the visitors got a couple of reds. The first half belonged to Llanelli who scored two tries and a penalty to lead 17-0 just on the half hour. They really hassled their opponents and forced them into many uncharacteristic errors. Craig Thomas got the first try when be barged his way on 12 mins, Ioan Hughes added the extras. He added a penalty on 22 mins and a few minutes later it was the home side who were applying all the pressure. Scrum half Ifan Beynon Thomas crossed for the try, again Hughes added the conversion. On 36 mins the visitors set up a maul deep in their opponents 22m area and drove towards the try line. Good defence kept them out but the referee awarded a penalty try and flanker Jacob Lewis saw yellow. At the break Llanelli 17-7 Llandovery.
The second period saw the visitors step up the pace and dominate early territory, Llanelli’s defence stood firm. The Drovers added their second try when Aaron Warren crossed wide out, Jack Maynard slotted the conversion. An incident in mid field saw Chris Long receive yellow, while Drovers lock Daffydd Rees jones saw red. Replacement prop Ryan Thomas also saw yellow a few mins later for collapsing a maul.
Going into the last 10 mins, it was the Drovers who took the lead. Replacement hooker Berian Watkins was on the end of a rolling maul to cross for the try. Maynard added the extras. It looked as though they’d done enough, but on 81 mins the home side were under their opponents posts and eventually moved the ball out wide for wing Eray Wilson to score the try and put the home side in front. Hughes converted from wide out to set up a frantic final minute. The Drovers pressed and won a scrum deep in their opponents red zone, but the home pack drove them back to win back possession. Game over! A punch was thrown after the final whistle and it looked like one of the Llandovery forwards was red carded.
So a hard earned win and a week off before the next big game at Bridgend.
