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Athletic, Youth and Junior Drovers
2002/03 Fixtures

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Athletic (Captain: Carwyn Jones)
Opponents Type Venue Date Result Score League Pos'n/10
Abercrave F H 24/8/02 L 19-12

Llandovery coach Iestyn Thomas had the benefit of getting a look at some aspiring first team players who turned out  for the Athletic against Central 6 side Abercrave and expects at least half a dozen to push hard for places in the starting line ups in the weeks ahead. There was disappointment at losing 19-12 to the Powys visitors but scrum half Grant Jones, No 8 Michael Grimes and centre Ben Matthews looked three good players capable of challenging for first team places. Abercrave Secretary Clive Lewis was delighted with the win: “It will be a big boost for the boys to have come up to Llandovery and beaten a side full of players who are potential first teamers,” said the long serving Lewis, whose father Eddie was also Abercrave secretary for close on twenty years.

Lock, Owen Donavan, No 8 Lyndon Osborn and prop John Jones had big games up front for Abercrave whilst half backs, Craig Davies and Geraint Thomas got through an extraordinary amount of work in attack and defence. Despite Llandovery opening the scoring with a try by flanker Plesko, converted by full back and second team captain Carwyn Jones, Abercrave looked the nimbler side against a slightly ponderous Drovers pack. Centre, John Littlewood, No 8 Osborn and fly half Thomas all got tries, two of which were converted by wing Barry Williams and although ex-Pontyberem No 8, Grimes ran well to bring the Athletic to 19-12, the Powys visitors hung on tenaciously for an excellent victory.

Try: Luka Plesko, Michael Grimes, Con: Carwyn Jones
Llangadog NDC A 7/9/02 W 17 - 34
Dunvant NDC H 14/9/02 L 10 - 39
Try: John Hughes, Con: Carwyn Jones, Pen Carwyn Jones
Whitland NDC A 21/9/02 L 0 - 17
There was no joy for Llandovery, beaten 17-0 in a rousing contest at Whitland which saw a couple of yellow cards and a red card for veteran Drovers lock Dai Giles.
Bonymaen NDC H 28/9/02 L 20 - 25 8th
Try: Ian Jones, Glyn Davies Cons: Carwyn Jones (2), Pens Carwyn Jones (2)
The Llandovery side includes a number of young players and manager Martyn Davies was full of praise for his team, following the 25-20 defeat at home to Bonymaen. "I thought they showed a lot of character in coming back from 14-0 to 17-17 before Bonymaen finally got the edge", said Davies. "We were also pleased to have a very good referee in Nigel Woodward. He had an excellent game." Fly-half Danny Jones converted tries by prop Ryan Perrot and scrum-half Dewi Thomas to give Bonymaen the lead on the half hour, but Llandovery replied with a penalty by full-back Carwyn Jones, who converted a try by centre Ian Jones to pull it back to 17-10 at the break. Jones kicked his second conversion when No. 8 Glyn Davies crashed over soon after the restart, and an exchange of penalties led to the final score of 20 - 25.
Penlan NDC H 12/10/02 L 34 - 59
Tries: Emyr Evans (2), Gareth Augustus, Graham Moore; Cons: Carwyn Jones (3); Pens: Carwyn Jones (2); Drop Goals: Ian Jones
In what was described afterwards as a Baa Baa's style game, Penlan came off the park at Llandovery with a 59-34 victory that left a sizeable number of supporters on both sides delighted with the rugby served up by the teams. "I have never played in a game like it. It was end to end stuff with the players spreading the ball about the park as if it was on fire," was the verdict of Llandovery boss Maryn Davies.
Dunvant NDC A 19/10/02 L 120 - 7 8th
Try: Arwel Davies; Con: Carwyn Jones
With as many as 18 players unavailable for various reasons Athletic deserve praise for turning up with Dunvant playing 1st XV players as their league game had been cancelled.
Llangennech NDC A 26/10/02 L 38 - 24
Tries: Ian Jones, David Richards, Hywel James, Ken Hughes;Cons: Carwyn Jones (2)
Llandovery put up a spirited second half fight back but were unable to overcome Llangennech and eventually lost 38-24. Scrum-half Johnny Jones picked up a hat-trick of tries as Llangennech piled on the points in the first half. Llandovery scored all their points after the interval with tries by centre Ian Jones, fly-half David Richards, hooker Hywel James and flanker Ken Hughes. Full-back Carwyn Jones added four more points for the cause with a couple of conversions.
Carmarthen Quins NDC H 2/11/02 L 3 - 26 10th
Pen: Arwel Davies
There seems no stopping Carmarthen Quins who opened up a six point lead from nearest rivals Dunvant following the 26-3 success at Llandovery. The Quins were 19-3 up by halftime through 3 tries and 2 conversions, added to by a further try and conversion after the break.
Llangennech NDC H 30/11/02 W 18 - 0 9th
Tries: Ian Jones, Emrys Evans; Con: Carwyn Jones; Pen: Carwyn Jones
Penlan NDC A 14/12/02 L 10 - 3
Penlan NDCup A 5/1/03 W 22 - 29
Tries: Glyn Davies, Gareth Augustus, Stuart Richards, Carwyn Jones; Cons: Carwyn Jones (3); Pen: Carwyn Jones
Llandovery crossed the first hurdle in the Naylor Drainage Cup competition with a 29-22 win over Penlan. They will now make a return trip to Swansea to play Bonymaen in the 2nd round at the end of the month. Full-back Carwyn Jones opened the scoring with a penalty for Llandovery in the early exchanges of the cup game at Penlan, but the home side hit back to go 10-3 up. Llandovery replied with tries by flanker Glyn Davies and wing Gareth Augustus to lead 15-10 at half-time. And it was nip and tuck for the rest of the game but the decisive moment came when Llandovery fly-half Stuart Richards raced in for an interception try. Full-back Jones added three conversions and scored himself before full-time.
South Gower NDC A 19/1/03 W 7 - 37 9th
Tries: Glyn Davies (2), Glyn Davies, Geraint Price; Cons: Carwyn Jones (4); Pens: Carwyn Jones (3)
South Gower failed to impress against Llandovery with a try by prop Dean Cobley, converted by fly-half Simon Davies, all they had to show for their efforts in a 37-7 defeat. Wing Glyn Davies grabbed two tries for Llandovery, the others to score being locks Glyn Davies and Geraint Price. Full-back Carwyn Jones supplied the rest with four conversions and a hat-trick of penalties.
Bonymaen NDCup A 24/1/03 W 12 - 17
Tries: Graham Moore, Arwel Davies, Glyn Davies; Con: Carwyn Jones
Llandovery progressed to the next round after defeating Bonymaen in a tight Friday evening encounter when wing Glyn Davies went over for an interception try for the visitors that saw them win 17-12. Full-back Andrew Thomas and hooker Jordan James hit the try line for Bonymaen, one of the tries being converted by fly-half Danny Jones. The rest of the Llandovery points came from lock Graham Moore and wing Arwel Davies with full-back Carwyn Jones landing one conversion. “Bonymaen took an early lead and we did well to fight back. But the turning point came with the interception try” thought Llandovery secretary Gareth Jones. Making the journey to Llandovery for the semi-final will be Llangennech, who continued their run of top form with a 21-17 victory over Llangadog.
Carmarthen Quins NDC A 1/2/03 L 67 - 5
Try: Arwel Davies
Carmarthen Quins crept closer to the league title with a convincing 67-5 victory over Llandovery at Abergwili, talented young full-back Leighton McKenna picking up 21 points. All Llandovery could manage after putting up stiff resistance and trailing 17-0 at the break was a try by fly-half Arwel Davies.
Llangennech (Cup Semi-Final) NDCup H 1/3/03 W 34 - 7
Tries: Adrian Davies, Aled Davies, Arwel Davies, Gareth Augustus (2), Carwyn Jones; Cons: Carwyn Jones (2)
Llandovery reached the final of the League Cup thanks to a 34-7 semi-final defeat of Llangennech. “It was not the best of days to play rugby and though we were 22-0 up towards the end of the first half, Llangennech never gave up and hit us with a try before half-time,” said Llandovery boss Martin Davies. The Drovers crossed for four tries through scrum-half Adrian Davies and centres Aled Davies and Arwel Davies with wing Gareth Augustus touching down twice. The rest of the points were supplied by reliable full-back Carwyn Jones with a try and two conversions. The second semi-final between Dunvant and Carmarthen Quins was postponed due to the wet weather.
NDC Table as at 13/3/03
  P W D L Pts
Carmarthen Quins 14 14 0 0 42
Dunvant 13 10 0 3 30
Bonymaen 13 8 0 5 21
Narberth 12 6 0 6 18
Llangennech 13 6 0 7 18
Penlan 13 6 0 7 18
Llangadog 13 4 0 9 12
South Gower 11 4 0 7 12
Whitland 13 3 0 10 9
Llandovery 13 3 0 10 9
Bonymaen NDC A 15/3/03 W 24-25
Tries: Glyn Davies, Hywel James, Adrian Williams; Cons: Carwyn Jones (2); Pens: Carwyn Jones (2)
Leading 16-3 at half time, Bonymaen looked a good bet to beat visiting Llandovery but it all went wrong as the Drovers ran in for three tries to pinch it 25-24. Llandovery hit the try line through No. 8 Glyn Davies, prop Hywel James and flanker Adrian Williams, two of which were converted by full-back Carwyn Jones, who also landed a couple of penalties.
NDC Table as at 20/3/03
  P W D L Pts
Carmarthen Quins 15 15 0 0 45
Dunvant 14 11 0 3 33
Bonymaen 14 8 0 6 21
Narberth 13 7 0 6 21
Llangennech 14 6 0 8 18
Penlan 14 6 0 8 18
Llangadog 14 5 0 9 15
South Gower 12 4 0 8 12
Llandovery 14 4 0 10 12
Whitland 14 3 0 11 9
Narberth NDC H 29/3/03 W 24 - 15
Tries: Rhys Gosling, Arwel Davies; Cons: Gosling; Pens: Gosling (3); Drop Goal: Gosling

Llandovery secured their mid-table position as the Naylor Drainage Championship league programme draws to a close with a 24-15 victory at home to Narberth on the weekend, but not before they had to fight back from 10-8 down after taking a 5-0 lead. Fly-half Rhys Gosling proved influential throughout for Llandovery, and it was the No. 10 who opened the scoring with a try in the corner. Narberth replied with a try by burly prop Emyr Davies, converted by fly-half Aled Davies, who also kicked a penalty to put his side into the lead on 35 minutes. But Gosling kicked a hat-trick of penalties, dropped a goal and converted a try by wing Arwel Davies to seal victory. 
Llangadog NDC H 12/4/03 D 11 - 11

The Towy Valley derby between Llandovery and Llangadog ended in an 11-11 draw after fly-half Rhys Gosling landed a last-minute penalty to salvage a point for the Drovers. Up until then, Llangadog looked to have clinched it with an 11-8 lead going into injury-time after scrum-half Adrian Williams scored a try and kicked two penalties. Wing Arwel Davies scored for Llandovery in the second half with Rhys Gosling kicking a first half penalty that saw the sides locked on 3-3 at half-time. ''It really was close and we picked up a point at least. The last few games will be important for the teams in the lower half of the draw if they want to avoid the relegation play-offs,'' said Llandovery chairman Gareth Jones. 
Try: Arwel Davies; Pens: Rhys Gosling (2)
Whitland NDC H 19/4/03 W 27 - 7

Llandovery secured their mid-table position in the league with a 27-7 success against Whitland at Church Bank. Wing Gareth Augustus and centre Emrys Evans crossed in the first half for Llandovery, one of the tries being converted by fly- half Rhys Gosling, who landed a penalty to put his side 15-0 up on half-time. No.8 Carwyn Davies replied with a try for Whitland in the second half, converted by fly-half Christian Richards who made it 15-7, but Llandovery No.8 Ken Hughes pounced for a pushover try with scrum-half Adrian Davies adding a fourth try for the Drovers, converted by full-back Carwyn Jones. 
Tries: Gareth Augustus, Emrys Evans, Ken Hughes, Adrian Davies; Cons: Rhys Gosling, Carwyn Jones; Pen: Rhys Gosling
South Gower NDC H 26/4/03 W 45 - 19

South Gower lost 45-19 at Llandovery after giving the cup finalists a fright by clawing back a 21-0 lead to trail 21-19 by half-time. Hooker Cameron Triggs led the South Gower fightback with a try, the others to hit the try line being wing Simon Jones and flanker Philip Gower. Two of the tries were converted by fly-half Robert Lawson.

Llandovery were forced to pull out all the stops in the second half and eventually recorded half a dozen tries with two by flanker Ken Hughes and others by scrum-half Adrian Davies, fly-half Arwel Davies, centre Aled Davies and prop Rhys Richards. Full-back Carwyn Jones kicked every conversion and one penalty.

 "We were coasting it after scoring three tries, but soon realised that it would be no picnic when South Gower came back at us. It was a very good game of rugby and well refereed by Lee Roberts," was how Llandovery manager Martin Davies saw it.
Tries: Ken Hughes (2), Adrian Davies, Arwel Davies, Aled Davies, Rhys Richards; Cons: Carwyn Jones (6); Pen: Carwyn Jones
NDC Table as at season's end
  P W D L Pts
Carmarthen Quins 18 18 0 0 54
Bonymaen 18 12 0 6 33 (pts deducted)
Dunvant 18 12 0 6 33 (pts deducted)
Llangennech 18 8 0 10 24
Narberth 18 9 0 9 24 (pts deducted)
Llangadog 18 7 1 10 22
Llandovery 18 7 1 10 22
South Gower 18 6 0 12 18
Penlan 18 6 0 12 15 (pts deducted)
Whitland 18 4 0 14 12
Carmarthen Quins (Cup Final) NDCup Llangennech 2/5/03 L 14 - 32
Try: Carwyn Jones; Pens: Rhys Gosling (3)

Carmarthen Quins clinched the double in the Naylor Drainage Championship when adding the Naylor Drainage Cup to the league title after defeating Llandovery 32-14 at Llangennech. Star of the show for the Quins was lock Gary Evans, who capped a fine performance by scoring a try and being awarded the Lloyds TSB Man of the Match trophy. 

Most the first half belonged to Llandovery, who deservedly led 9-0 after fly-half Rhys Gosling landed three penalties. But the Quins rallied to register two quick tries before half-time through wing Rhys Jones and flanker Robert Price. 

Leading 10-9 at the re-start, there was no looking back for the league champions who added more points when lock Gary Evans and flanker Roger Thomas, who led by example, touched down. Full-back Rhodri Thomas added a penalty and one conversion. Llandovery skipper and full-back Carwyn Jones scored to bring it back to 25-14, but a final flurry from the Quins saw fly-half Kevin Jones cross, the last couple of points added by replacement full-back Leighton McKenna. 

''It was a good game to watch and I thought that our young pack held out very well against much more experienced opponents. I couldn't have asked for any more from them,'' said Llandovery chairman Gareth Jones.

F = Friendly

NDC = Naylor Drainage Championship
NDCup = Naylor Drainage Cup
Youth (Captain: Hywel Richards)
Opponents Type Venue Date Result Score League Pos'n
Brecon Youth F H 7/09/02 D 11 - 11
Try: Neil Manning
Penalties: Rhys Davies (2)

The team: 1.Rob Hughes 2.Rhys Jones 3.Dylan James 4.Dafydd Thomas 5.Ricky Evans 6.Craig Morgan 7.Hywel Richards 8.Daniel Thomas 9.Gethin Thomas 10.Rhys Davies 11.Chris Thomas 12.Gary Hearne 13.Mathew Bailey 14.Gareth Bastable15.Jason Williams 16.Wyn Williams 17.Neil Manning 18.Steve Jones 19.T.C. Theophilus
 Waunarlwydd
 		F A 14/9/02 W 7 - 11
Try: Rhys Davies
Penalties: Neil Manning (2)
Llandovery won a competitive game 11-7 thanks to a great individual try from outside half Rhys Davies and two well struck second half penalties from centre Neil Manning. Resilient defending had kept the home side at bay especially in the second half but the Young Drovers held out for an excellent victory.
Newcastle Emlyn F H 28/9/02 W 12 - 10
Penalties: Neil Manning (4)
The Drovers continued their winning ways by defeating a powerful visitors side by 12-10. Centre Neil Manning proved the match winner with four well struck penalties, the winning strike being from 45 metres giving the home side a well deserved victory. Prominent for Llandovery were outside half Gethin Thomas, lock James Legg and flanker/skipper Hywel Richards.
Resolven F A 12/10/02 L 45 - 5
Try: Dan Thomas
The Young Drovers met a bigger, stronger and quicker team in the Neath Valley. Only courageous and desperate defence kept the score down and we were rewarded with a Dan Thomas try in the second half. The experience although painful at the times will provide the young Llandovery team with the incentive to improve as their first league match approaches.
Llangennech L Div 2 19/10/02 W 20 - 7
Tries: Robert Hughes, Gary Hearne, Jason Williams; Con: Neil Manning; Pen: Neil Manning
Llandovery won their first league game of the season scoring three tries to one as they overcame a determined Llangennech team. Tries were scored by prop Robert Hughes, flanker Gary Hearne and full back Jason Williams. Centre Neil Manning kicked one penalty and one conversion. Next up for Llandovery are local rivals Llandeilo, some of whom witnessed this performance of mixed quality.
Llandeilo L Div 2 A 26/10/02 L 27 - 16
Try: Deian Augustus; Con: Neil Manning; Pens Neil Manning (3)
In an excellent game of rugby the young Drovers ran out of steam in the second half against a well organised Llandeilo team whose backline caused problems all afternoon. For Llandovery, centre Deian Augustus scored an opportunist try and wing Neil Manning kicked a conversion and three penalties. The Drovers led 13-10 at the interval but a powerful opening to the second half saw the home side get on top. However every one of the Llandovery side can be proud of their efforts and the experience will stand them in good stead.
Brynamman L Div 2 H 9/11/02 W 22 - 10
Tries: Jason Williams, Wyn Williams, Dafydd Thomas, Ricky Evans; Con: Daniel Thomas
Llandovery overcame difficult opposition, scoring two late tries by locks Dafydd Thomas and Ricky Evans to secure victory on a wet and greasy surface. Earlier full back Jason Williams had forced his way over and left wing Wyn Williams had pounced for an opportunist try to bring the scores level. No.8 Daniel Thomas kicked one conversion to confirm a hard earned victory for the Drovers against older and bigger opponents.
Cefneithin L Div 2 A 23/11/02 W 0 - 17
Tries: Gareth Bastable, Dan Thomas, Jason Williams; Con: Neil Manning
Right wing Gareth Bastable gave Llandovery the perfect start with a charge down try in the early minutes converted by centre Neil Manning but the game developed into a stalemate with neither side gaining control. No.8 Dan Thomas forced his way over from a scrum five late in the half and full back Jason Williams scored a try wide out in the second half with the best concerted play of the match to confirm victory.

This result puts Llandovery top of the BT Dragons Trust National Youth League Division 2I:

  P W D L Pts
Llandovery 4 3 0 1 10
Llandeilo 3 3 0 0 9
Brynaman 2 1 0 1 4
Ammanford 2 1 0 1 4
Llangennech 2 0 0 2 2
Cefneithin 3 0 0 3 3
Tregaron H L 5 - 7
Try: Gethin Thomas

After an enforced lay-off due to late cancellation of fixtures the Under 17's and Under 19's got their season back on track. 

In very heavy conditions the older and bulkier visitors provided a stiff test for the Drovers but the home backs squandered some clear cut chances to win the game. A try by visiting centre John Davies converted by outside half Jonathan Jones gave Tregaron the halftime lead. The home side made numerous changes and the resulting urgency created a try for scrum half Gethin Thomas. Despite frantic efforts by the home side, Tregaron hung on to win.
Pill Harriers (Under 17s match) F H 21/12/02 W 31 - 0
Tries: Wyn Williams (3), Penalty try, Dafydd Thomas; Cons: Jason Williams (3)
As a curtain raiser to the Principality Cup match and a run out before their own cup exploits Llandovery produced an excellent all round performance. The first half in particular saw centre Wyn Williams score a hat-trick as well as a penalty try awarded when speedy wing Chris Thomas was held back chasing a kick ahead. In a tighter second half Llandovery added one more score through second row Dafydd Thomas. Outside half Jason Williams added three conversions.
Llangennech L Div 2 A 4/1/03 W 10 - 11
Try: Wyn Williams; Pens: Neil Manning (2)
Llandovery won this league match at Llangennech but only after a spirited performance by the home side. Wing Wyn Williams scored for Llandovery and outside half Neil Manning kicked two penalties to win the match.
  P W D L Pts
Llandeilo 5 5 0 0 15
Llandovery 5 4 0 1 13
Brynaman 3 2 0 1 7
Cefneithin 5 0 0 5 5
Ammanford 2 1 0 1 4
Llangennech 4 0 0 4 4
London Welsh (U17s match) Welsh Cup H 19/1/03 L 13 - 15
Tries: Anthony Jones, Rhys Jones; Pen: Jason Williams
Nigel Clarke reports: An historic day for the club as the first time a side has been entered in the Welsh Cup. An exciting game played in excellent spirit resulted in the visitors returning home with the win courtesy of three tries scored by Nichols, Gibbs and Hill against two tries by prop Anthony Jones and flanker Rhys Jones. Jason Williams added a penalty. Llandovery led 13-5 going into the final quarter but failed to capitalise on added pressure leaving the visitors to snatch the result with two late tries. The players can be extremely proud of their effort, this being only their second game together and the Llandovery club can also be extremely proud of the hospitality shown to all parents and supporters. Thanks to all for their efforts.
Llandeilo L Div 2 H W 11 - 17
Try: Chris Thomas; Pens: Neil Manning (2)
Llandeilo completed the double over their near neighbours but not before a fright from their younger and smaller hosts. Indeed Llandovery led 6-5 at the break thanks to two penalties from Neil Manning playing into the wind but two tries early in the second half allowed Llandeilo a 17-6 lead before an excellent back row move allowed left wing Chris Thomas to score. The rest of the match saw Llandovery push for the winning score but were denied by well marshalled Llandeilo defence.
Glamorgan Wanderers Welsh Cup H 25/1/03 W 14-8
Tries: Dylan James, Hywel Richards; Cons: Rhys Davies (2)

Llandovery created the. shock of the round in the Welsh Youth U-19 Challenge Cup when they beat Premier Division high-fliers Glamorgan Wanderers at Church Bank. Heart and fearless spirit allied to good defensive organization plus the ability to take their chances won a great victory for the newly reformed youth set up under the astute and enthusiastic coaching of Nigel Clarke. The Wanderers had lost just two games all season and their lofty status in the Premier Division looked well deserved when they took an early 8-0 lead. But galvanised by the non-stop performance of Craig Morgan, Daniel Thomas and captain Hywel Richards in the back row, the young Drovers hit back just before half-time with a rumbustious try from hooker Dylan James which was wonderfully converted from out wide by centre Rhys Davies. Another grand surge from the forwards got a second try for skipper Richards soon after the break, again converted out wide by Davies, before the Wanderers came back strongly. The home defence had to be watertight as the Wanderers pressed for a winning score. Daniel Thomas saved one certain try and the tackling of the whole Drovers XV was severely tested, but the Llandovery defence was alert to carry a famous day.

In the second round Llandovery play Resolven away.
Whitland H L 5-19
Try: Dafydd Thomas
After the exertions of their Welsh Cup match the Drovers struggled to find the same resolve in overcoming a determined and skillful Whitland team. Prop Dafydd Thomas scored from a lineout drive but that apart there was little for the home side to be pleased about.
Brynamman L Div 2 A L 38-5
Try: Gareth Bastable
An overwhelming defeat against a bigger, stronger and faster Brynamman side proved an invaluable lesson for the younger Drovers as they played on the back foot all game, with only a breakaway try the length of the field by wing Gareth Bastable to show for their efforts. The team must bounce back in their last league game against Cefneithin.
  P W D L Pts
Llandeilo 6 6 0 0 18
Llandovery 7 4 0 3 15
Brynaman 4 3 0 1 10
Llangennech 5 1 0 4 7
Cefneithin 6 0 0 6 6
Ammanford 2 1 0 1 4
Cefneithin L Div 2 H 22/2/03 W 37-17
Tries: Neil Manning (2), Gareth Bastable (2), Rhys Jones, Wyn Williams; Cons: Neil Manning (2) ; Pen: Neil Manning
"It was an excellent game with some nice tries on both sides" said Llandovery boss Nigel Clarke. "We played into the wind in the first half and made the most of the elements after the break".
  P W D L Pts
Llandeilo 6 6 0 0 18
Llandovery 8 5 0 3 18
Brynaman 5 4 0 1 13
Llangennech 7 1 0 6 9
Cefneithin 6 0 0 6 6
Ammanford 2 1 0 1 4
Tycroes A 1/3/03 W 6-22
Tries: Rhys Jones (2), Dafydd James, Chris Thomas; Con: T C Theophilus

27/3/03: Brynamman bounced back into the title race in Division 2I with a 20-0 win over previously undefeated Llandeilo. Success for the Black Mountain boys sees them locked on 16 points apiece with rivals Llandeilo, with both clubs having two games each left to play. Llandovery lead the division at the moment having completed their league programme, but with only a two-point lead, the Young Drovers are unlikely to remain in pole position.
Strathcona Druids, Edmonton, Canada F H 31/3/03 W 51-0
Tries: Rhys Davies (2), Jason Williams, Deian Augustus; Cons: Rhys Davies (3)

On Sunday the youth welcomed Strathcona Druids from Edmonton Canada for two days of their ten day tour of England/Wales. After enduring a poor welcome at Richmond, the visitors were delighted with the superb Towy Valley hospitality they received. The game played on Monday 31st March was one-sided with the hosts scoring over 50 points but the tourists never gave up much to their credit. Scorers for Llandovery were Rhys Davies (2), Jason Williams and Deian Augustus with Rhys Davies adding three conversions. The club can be proud of their welcome to the visitors but special thanks must go to all parents and friends of the club who billeted the tourists for two nights. We have received an invitation to tour Canada and if the will is there then the trip of a lifetime beckons. The ball is firmly in our court. Once again many thanks to all who made the visit such a success
Waunarlwydd F H 5/4/03 W 19-10
League positions as at 16/4/03
  P W D L Pts
Llandeilo 8 7 0 1 22
Llandovery 8 5 0 3 18
Brynaman 7 5 0 2 17
Cefneithin 8 1 0 7 10
Llangennech 7 1 0 6 9

 
Llangennech (Cup Semi Final) East Carms Cup 18/4/03 W 20-14
Llandeilo (Cup Final) East Carms Cup Llandybie 17/5/03 L 5 - 10
Try: Chris Thomas

Llandeilo won the East Carms District Youth Cup when they beat their old rivals in a rousing final at Llandybie. It was Llandeilo’s third win of the season over their Towy Valley neighbours but it was the hardest fought with the result in doubt right up to the end.

The heavier Llandeilo pack, extremely well led by hooker and captain Mark Moon, looked in control in the first half but had to hang on grimly in the last quarter against a spirited Llandovery rally. “We had to put In some desperate tackles to keep Llandovery out in the last ten minutes but probably did enough in the first half to shade it,” said Llandeilo team manager Nick Jones. His words were sportingly echoed by Drovers’ coaches Nigel Clarke and Neville Hughes. “We hurried ourselves into mistakes when a little bit of composure and control might have swung it our way late on but Llandeilo had the experience,” said Clarke.

Llandeilo were indebted to the tactical kicking of Welsh Schools international fly-half Gareth Morgan and it was Morgan who kicked an early penalty to give Llandeilo the vital first score. Burly wing Joe Williams also caused problems with his bursts and the Drovers were glad of the work of fly-hall Gethin Thomas who led by example with some crunching tackles.

There was little to choose between the sides until a poor Llandovery drop out gave centre Aron May the chance to run through some feckless midfield tackling. Morgan hit a fine angled conversion for a 10-0 lead and with the fly-half pegging Llandovery back, it was a brave man to forecast a Drovers win at halftime.

But inspired by the storming runs and charges of their outstanding No.8 Daniel Thomas, a certain star of the future, the Drovers upped their effort and although centre Rhys Davies missed an easy penalty Llandeilo were on the back foot. Their No.8 Chris Moseley did a lot of hard grafting in the face of increasing pressure but ten minutes from time Llandovery replacement wing Chris Thomas shot through on the end of a pass by full-back Jason Williams to make it 10-5.

The tiring Llandeilo defence threw themselves into action with huge resolve to keep out the strong finishing Drovers in a game that did the district in general and the two clubs in particular much credit.

F = Friendly 
L Div 2 = Towy Valley B Youth League Division Two I

 
Junior Drovers
 
Team Opponents Venue Date Result Score Notes
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This season all Junior Drovers reports and information are appearing in 1st XV home match programmes, and these are reproduced in the Latest News section of this website.

Details of the mascot for each home game are with the match report for the game.