From the website of Gogledd Cymru:

LLANDOVERY GAME HELPS RAISE £15000 FOR YOGI

GOGLEDD CYMRU were proud to play a part in an event which raised £23,000 for the Bryan Davies Appeal on Saturday 11th August http://www.bryandavies.org.uk/

In losing to Llandovery 35-14 GOGLEDD CYMRU provided an entertaining game of rugby with a number of new players getting the chance to be members of the squad. Resilient in defence, it took almost 60 minutes before GOGLEDD CYMRU began to show the shape that they generated towards the end of last season. The team looks forward to Llandovery's offer of making this an annual event.

Huw S Thomas reports:

Konica Minolta Cup winners Llandovery won their opening warm-up of the new season when they travelled to Bala on Saturday to beat a North Wales XV 35-14.

The game - watched by both WRU Chief Executive Roger Lewis and outgoing President Glanmor Griffiths - was in aid of Bala forward Bryan Davies who seriously injured his back playing for the club last season and who is now paralysed. All proceeds from the game and post-match auction - close on £20,000 - will go to help Davies and his family as they try to come to terms with the tragic injury.

The Drovers got five tries in all - two to hooker Emyr Phillips and one apiece from prop Dafydd Thomas, wing Matthew Lemon and replacement hooker Adam Yelland.

New signing Steffan Rees, last year's Welsh Colleges fly-half, impressed in both general play and goal-kicking departments, converting all five tries.

Amongst a number of promising performers up front, props Rob Hughes and Anthony Jones scrummaged to great purpose, lock Haydn Pugh was a force at the line-out and flanker Greg Jervis roamed effectively at open-side.

Steffan Thomas and Dafydd James looked sharp in the centre with ex-Cambridge Blue Thomas showing good pace and awareness in his debut game for the Drovers.

Tries: Emyr Phillips (2), Dafydd Thomas, Matthew Lemon, Adam Yelland; Cons: Steffan Rees (5)

The Drovers lost to Young Munster 33-27 by conceding a controversial penalty try in the final seconds of the game.

The Drovers led Young Munster 27-20 after tries from new boys fly-half Steffan Rees and wing Chris Matthias plus a great dodging solo effort from full-back Ioan Davies.

It was only in the final seconds of the game that Young Munster snatched the win when a penalty try at a scrum let them edge past a tiring defence.

Man of the match was new flanker Wayne Williams, who has transferred to Church Bank from Pontyberem.

Tries: Steffan Rees, Chris Matthias, Ioan Davies

Tries: Chris Jenkins, Rob Walters, Steffan Rees (3), Jack Lydiate, Dan Thomas, Steffan Thomas

Llandovery finished their preparations for the new season by outscoring National Division One side Cwmllynfell by five converted tries to a lone penalty. Coach Iestyn Thomas used 29 players in his search to identify the team to take on Newport at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

There were another 17 players absent either through injury or unavailability, testament to the healthy numbers to have been training at Church Bank for the last seven weeks.

The side that he put out in the second-half performed with a cutting edge that the first-half brigade could not emulate and 28 unanswered points was proof of their greater effectiveness.

At half-time the Drovers led by just 7-3, a try by full-back Gwilym Evans, converted by fly-half Richard Cunniffe against an early penalty from Owain Higgins. Higgins, scrum-half Kevin Owen and the bustling Jim Morgan at No 8 had good first-halves for the visitors but the Llandovery try-line was scarcely threatened.

The first-half Llandovery try was made by centre Dafydd James whose clean break was carried on by wing Andrew Penhale before Evans got first touch to a rolling ball in-goal.

Ex-Bonymaen fly-half Cunniffe showed neat touches, props Rob Hughes and Anthony Jones scrummaged solidly, Andrew Penhale looked quick on the left wing whilst the second-row pairing of Tom Walker and Haydn Pugh impressed in all phases.

North Walian Pugh was the only player to stay on the field for the full 80 minutes and his line-out work after the break was exemplary at the end of some excellent throwing in by hooker Emyr Phillips.

New fly-half Steffan Rees shone against his old club, distributing accurately and running hard, Mike Jones was all deft touch and timing in the middle of the park, and club skipper Rob Walters was his busy self at the base of the scrum.

Flanker Gareth Williams again showed that extra bit of class that makes him one of the best open sides in the Premiership, omnipresent in the loose and the winner of some excellent tail-of-the-line-out ball. It was his take that led to a try by No 8 Gareth Bennett, soon followed with a brilliant one-handed scoop of the ball off the floor to send Walters racing in. Williams then supported a dodging run by centre Steffan Thomas to get try number four before ex-Cambridge Blue Thomas cashed in on the tidying up of Bennett to get the last try.

With Rees adding the conversion from right out on the touch-line to finish the match with four conversions out of four, Llandovery had done enough to emphasise the gap between the Premiership and Division One.

Coach Iestyn Thomas will now have the difficult ask of picking his best 22 for the visit to Newport. "The great thing this year is that we have far more competition for places and selection will be difficult in lots of areas," said Thomas. Of those away on Saturday prop Prys Lewis, hooker Adam Yelland, lock Steve Covington, No 8 Chris Jenkins, flanker Jack Lydiate, full-back Ioan Davies, centre Jon Lewis and wing Owain Rowlands must all be in the frame.

"We saw lots of promise from our new signings," added Thomas. "If we can gel that little better and cut out some silly handling errors, we will go to Newport full of positive intent."

2nd half:
Matthew Lemon, Chris Matthias, Mike Jones, Steffan Thomas, Viv Jenkins, Steffan Rees, Rob Walters, Endaf Howells, Emyr Phillips, Andrew Bryn Jones, Gareth Bennett, Haydn Pugh, John Bowen, Gareth Williams, Dafydd Thomas (Tom Walker)

1st half: Try: Gwilym Evans; Con: Richard Cunniffe
2nd half: Tries: Gareth Bennett, Rob Walters, Gareth Williams, Steffan Thomas; Cons: Steffan Rees (4)

John Kendrick reports:

Despite the handicap of playing for most of the second half with only 14 men the Drovers held on to their first half lead to record a first ever victory at Rodney Parade. 

A delighted Head Coach Iestyn Thomas was full of praise for his side, “I thought our commitment  in defence was outstanding particularly when we were down to fourteen and Newport were hammering at our line. To pick up three yellow cards, particularly when Newport were more frequently penalised than us without further punishment, was hard – I was happy with the last one but felt the first two for technical offences in the ruck  were harsh”.  

Newport, with 11 of the squad present who handed out a 68-10 drubbing to the Drovers in last season’s fixture at Rodney Parade started off at a furious pace. Within three  minutes the Drovers threequarters were caught offside  and outside half Dan Griffiths converted an easy penalty . However the sides were soon equal when his opposite number Steffan Rees replied in a similar manner. 

The two sides approached the game in contrasting styles with the Drovers prepared to open the game up at every opportunity with the home side adopting a Gwent like approach with pick and go, rolling mauls and driving lines out. Whilst Llandovery held a territorial advantage there was a lack of fluidity and timing about their passing game and they failed to find that final pass to break the home side’s defence. 

Llandovery centre Mike Jones was prominent as was wing Owain Rowlands who looked lively with his few chances in attack and it was his defence that earned him the Llandovery Man of the Match award. From a maul on the 22 lock Matthew Veater, prominent in all of Newport’s forward efforts, broke clear and with no defenders in front of him a  try looked odds on.  However Rowlands, showing electric speed, caught him up and floored him inches short of the try line. In the resultant ruck Newport were penalised and the Drovers were able to clear their lines. 

A second Steffan Rees penalty took the Towy Valley side into a 6-3 lead and ended the scoring for the afternoon. 

The second half was a dour affair played out mainly between the 22m lines. With the three yellow cards coming at regular intervals, firstly for flanker Gareth Williams, then as soon as he returned lock Hayden Pugh was shown yellow, and then near the end outside half Steffan Rees found it his turn to go to the bin. To add further complications to the contest the Drovers had to call for uncontested scrums. Within minutes of the kick off prop Prys Lewis was forced off with ankle ligament damage to be replaced by Endaf Howells, but when Wales international prop Ben Broster, on permit from the Scarlets,  was forced off with a calf injury mid way through the second half the only front row replacement was hooker Adam Yelland which signalled the end of the competitive scrum. 

With the home side still trying to bash a way through with forward power against the 7 man Llandovery pack it was the end for the  Drovers as an attacking force, whilst Newport showed limited ideas in attempting to break down the hugely committed  defence. Steffan Rees had two more long range shots at penalties, one hitting the post and the other dropping short. Griffiths had one shot at converting a penalty to draw the game but was off target. 

Next week, looking for a positive boost to the start of their season,  Llandovery are on the road to Gwent once again when they travel to the Bridge Field to take on a Bedwas side smarting from a home defeat by Pontypridd. 

Pens: Steffan Rees (2)

John Kendrick reports:

After the celebrations following last week’s first ever league victory over Newport it was a reality check for the Drovers as they crashed to a 54 points to 25 defeat away at Bedwas.

The first 15 minutes was the crucial period when the home team amassed 24 unanswered points.  Slack defensive cover allowed tries from flankers Neil Lewis and Robert Downs followed by a third from former Llandovery centre Rhodri Gomer Davies. Stuart Thomas converted all three and also kicked a penalty goal.

At this stage the Drovers realised that the game had started and began to force their way back into the contest. Their first points came from a Steffan Rees penalty, quickly answered by a second penalty from Stuart Thomas, before the Drovers crossed for their first try.

Good inter-passing amongst the forwards and backs provided the platform for both tries. The first touchdown was awarded to lock Steve Covington whilst hooker Adam Yelland  went over for the second. Unfortunately neither try was converted and there were no further points scored until half time was reached with Bedwas leading 27-13.

In the latter stages of the first half Llandovery looked to be capable of rescuing the game but it was essential that they obtained the first score of the second half. The visitors built a good attacking platform going through the phases but a turn-over from the ruck spilled the ball to speedy Bedwas wing Nathan Hill, who with the defence caught out of position raced from his own half to score the fourth try for Bedwas. Stuart Thomas converted from in front of the posts and at 34-13 it looked all over for the Drovers. This became a certainty with another turn-over when a line out throw went astray and  Bedwas stole the ball. Moving it smartly across the backs  they set up opposite wing Adam Hughes for a fifth try in the corner. Thomas once again added the extra points with a fine touch line kick.

To their credit the Drovers didn’t fold but as in the first half they fought back to score two tries themselves thus earning a valuable bonus point for the four tries. The first unconverted try went to debutant wing Chris Mathis and then following a series of infringements near the line referee Jon Mason went under the posts for a penalty try. Richard Cunniffe, replacement fly-half added the conversion. Between these tries full back Stuart Thomas added a third penalty goal for the home side.

Now throwing all caution to wind the Drovers threw the ball around even when pressed behind their own line. With the defence tiring and mistakes coming this policy opened the door for two late unconverted tries for Bedwas. These went to replacements Peter Harrison and James Pizey to round of the scoring and a miserable afternoon’s second visit to Gwent for the Drovers.

Coach Iestyn Thomas speaking to his players afterwards was forthright in his comments condemning his players for their casual approach in the opening exchanges of the game. He urged them to think about their performances and demanded a much improved performance in their next two games at home to both Pontypridd and Cardiff in successive weeks.

Subs: Endaf Howells, Emyr Phillips, Glyn Davies, Chris Jenkins, Wayne Williams, Richard Cunniffe, Viv Jenkins

Tries: Adam Yelland, Penalty try, Chris Mathias, Steve Covington; Con: Richard Cunniffe; Pen: Steffan Rees

Llandovery’s  hopes of starting off their home league programme with a victory were dashed when Pontypridd ‘Man of the Match’ Dai Flanagan  completed a 25 point haul with the boot. Despite outscoring the visitors by 4 tries to 2, seven penalty goals and two conversions by the Ponty outside half doomed the Drovers to a Church Bank defeat. 

With a strong wind blowing directly down the pitch the visitors were able to sustain long periods of territorial domination against a Drovers team who tackled and defended with great spirit and determination. After 30 minutes the score stood at 10-5 in favour of Pontypridd, a try by wing Kristian Baller who pounced on a loose, bouncing ball after a kick ahead was converted by Flanagan who also kicked a first penalty goal. For the home side on a rare break out wing Viv Jenkins crossed in the corner for a good try. 

The last 10 minutes of the half was where the Drovers lost their way and was the major contributor to the final outcome. Ill discipline cost a yellow card for flanker Wayne Williams, four penalty goals to Flanagan and a try for lock Grant Harrington naturally converted by Flanagan. As the score rose from a manageable 10-5 to a near impossible 29-5 deficit Llandovery coach Iestyn Thomas remarked, “This is a 10 or 15 point wind but not a 25 pointer”. 

To add to the Drovers' woes they lost outside half and goal kicker Steffan Rees with a head injury after only two minutes of play. Worse was to follow when full back Matthew Lemon the back up goal kicker was forced off with a facial injury later in the same half. 

The result was that, when the Drovers came to have second half use of the strong wind they had to look around for a third goal kicker. To his credit replacement outside half Ioan Davies volunteered for the task but when he missed two relatively straightforward kicks near goal the decision was made to kick penalties to touch and go for tries. 

The first Llandovery try of the second half fell to replacement full back Owain Rowlands who used his winger's speed to support a passing movement and touch down in the corner. The third Drovers try was the best of the afternoon. Captain Rob Walters burst away from the back of a ruck, got behind the defence and found prop Phil John with a well placed pass. The ball was moved to wing Viv Jenkins who finished off with a try in the corner. Remarkably Ioan Davies who had missed the easy penalty attempts put over both conversions from the touchline. With the score now standing at 29-19  a penalty was awarded to the home side and  Davies added the three points to bring Llandovery within the 7 point bonus margin. With 10 minutes left on the clock and Llandovery dominating the game the impossible – a home victory now looked a distinct possibility. 

But then ill discipline and that man Flanagan struck again. Pontypridd shielding the ball well and using forward drives secured territorial advantage and  the Ponty outside half banged over penalties 6 and 7 against the wind to snatch away the bonus point. Showing great determination the home side fought back and when Pontypridd full-back Jason Pocock was yellow carded for a spear tackle Llandovery made the extra man count when Ioan Davies added the try that secured the bonus point for four tries. This time the conversion failed , the final whistle sounded and the second bonus point for being within 7 points was lost.

Click here for pictures of this game, courtesy of Mark Davies of ffotograffics

Subs: Phil John, Glyn Davies, Jack Lydiate, Adam Yelland, Ioan Davies, Adrian Williams, Owain Rowlands

Tries: Viv Jenkins (2), Owain Rowlands, Ioan Davies; Cons: Ioan Davies (2); Pen: Ioan Davies

Match sponsors: Gareth Williams and “The Pipeline Boys”.

Match ball sponsor: Clee Tomkinson & Francis

After a promising start to their Principality Premiership programme, with a first ever away win at Newport the Drovers' fortunes have slumped. They have now lost three successive games and find themselves at the lower end of the table.

For the second week in a row Llandovery found themselves the victims of an outside half with a big boot. Last week Pontypridd’s Dai Flanagan kicked 25 points and this time it was Cardiff’s Craig Evans with a personal second half tally of 16 points from 3 penalties, 2 conversions and a drop goal who secured the win for the visitors.

The first half hour was evenly contested, Cardiff going through the phases but with a ponderous midfield they made little impression on a sound home defence. Llandovery, more direct in their approach, took the lead after 30 minutes when following excellent inter-passing by backs and forwards wing Owain Rowlands put the finishing touch to an opening try, converted by Richard Cunliffe making his first start for the Drovers.

Showing more enterprise Llandovery began to pressurise Cardiff and were rewarded when Cunliffe converted a penalty goal. The half ended with another Drovers attack when a fine run by wing Viv Jenkins, supported by full back Matthew Lemon was halted just short of the try line. A 10-0 half time lead was a reasonable return from a half where the Drovers increasingly  held the upper hand.

A half time talk by Coach Justin Burnell brought about a total change in the visitors' tactics. Ignoring back play the Blue and Blacks concentrated on 10 man rugby and with their forwards becoming increasingly dominant Craig Evans had a comfortable time sitting back in the pocket. From here his prodigious kicks to touch or territory kept the Drovers pinned back and they were rarely able to get out of their own territory.

To add to their problems the Llandovery line out was not functioning and they regularly turned the ball over or failed to cross the gain line when they did secure possession.

Soon after the half time break Evans was successful with his first penalty and then on the hour a second made the score 10-6. A drop goal by Evans brought the score to 10-9 and with Cardiff playing much of the game in the home half it looked ominous for the Drovers. To add to their problems when they did get into the Cardiff half Richard Cunliffe was off target with two penalty attempts.

However, it wasn’t until the 76^th minute that Cardiff took the lead for the first time in the game when Craig Evans was successful with his third penalty goal.

Llandovery never looked likely to overcome this slender 10-12 lead and then in the last minute of full time they lost their bonus point. A rolling maul split up and Cardiff No 8 Adam Powell was able to steal away for his side's first try. This was followed in the second minute of injury time when, following another stolen Llandovery line out throw, flanker Adam Whitney raced away for their second try.  Naturally Evans converted both tries from near the touch line and in the end Cardiff kept up the pressure on Neath at the top of the table.

Click here for pictures of this game, courtesy of Mark Davies of ffotograffics

Subs: Rob Hughes, Glyn Davies, Emyr Phillips,  Jack Lydiate, Justin Lewis, Adrian Williams, Chris Matthias

Try: Owain Rowlands; Con: Richard Cunniffe; Pen: Richard Cunliffe

Match sponsors: Huston Cox Insurers, and Adeilad Cladding Llanwrda

Match ball sponsor: Llandovery Tyres and Batteries

John Kendrick reports:

A storming display by the Cross Keys pack laid the foundations of this fourth successive league defeat for the Drovers. In their victory the Keys gained a 4^th try bonus point but the kicking and general play of outstanding full back Leon Andrews was also a large factor in this win.

The former Cardiff player was in great form with his goal kicking converting all four tries, three from the touchline, along with three penalty goals in a personal tally of 17 points. His huge touch finding kicks and kicks for territory punished many of the Llandovery attempts to establish themselves in the home territory and built territorial advantage for his side.

Poor discipline in defending was once again to cost the Drovers dearly as in addition to the three Andrew’s penalty goals three of the Cross Keys tries resulted from penalty kicks to touch to establish positions close to the Llandovery try line. Twice the home pack drove the maul over from these positions for lively hooker Lloyd Burns to be awarded the touch down on both occasions whilst the third time the ball was moved smartly away across the backs for winger Lee Humphreys to touch down in the opposite corner. The other Keys try came when the defenders made a mess of controlling a harmless looking chip kick and centre Dan Dark following up was able to dive on the ball as it rolled over the try line.

The first 40 minutes was a poor advertisement for Premiership rugby. Wrong options, handling errors, aimless kicking and a willingness to concede penalties when constructive rugby was attempted saw neither side offer much positive attacking play.

The first try came after 15 minutes when the Drovers were penalised at successive lines out enabling the home side to establish a third line out 5m from the try line from which Burns scored the first of his tries. A first Andrews penalty took the lead to 10-0 before on a rare excursion into the home territory Steffan Rees converted a penalty for the Drovers. Keys regained their 10 point lead when following a ‘hands in the ruck offence’ Andrews converted his second penalty on the stroke of half time.

That the score was kept down to 13-3 at half time was partly due to the Llandovery line out who stole four of the home teams throws and also in part down to the ill discipline of the home side who seemed prepared to concede penalties whenever the Drovers attempted constructive play.

The second half was better entertainment for the small crowd with a further 31 points being added to the scoreboard. For a time it even looked as if the Llandovery side could against all odds grab a rare win at Pandy Park. Within 3 minutes of the restart the Drovers scored the best try of the match. Beginning a movement deep in their own territory they swept down field with the ball passing through at least 10 pairs of hands before winger Owain Rowlands crossed in the corner from where Steffan Rees converted with an excellent kick.

At 13-10 the visitors were in the ascendancy and looking lively in their approach. Steffan Rees missed a second penalty kick at goal and following two more penalties conceded by the Keys defence the option was taken to go for touch and establish driving mauls. Unfortunately each time they were driven back by the stronger home eight and the chance to take the lead was gone. 

From that point it was all Keys as first centre Dark took advantage of the inability to kill off a rolling ball, followed by tries from winger Humphreys  and a second for hooker Burns bringing the bonus point. When Andrews, who had kicked a second half penalty, sent the ball sailing through the posts after this fourth try the scoring was at an end and a bitterly disappointed Llandovery were left anchored near the foot of the Principality table in 12^th place.

Subs: R Hughes, Glyn Davies, Jack Lydiate, Adam Yelland, D James, Adrian Williams, Richard Cunniffe,

Tries: Owain Rowlands; Con: Steffan Rees; Pen: Steffan Rees

During a competitive first half there were no indications of the crushing defeat that Neath were to hand out to the Drovers on their own patch at Church Bank. 

In fact the home side enjoyed a slight territorial advantage and if Steffan Rees had been more accurate with his goal kicking they could well have reached half time with a slight lead. Unfortunately the normally reliable Drovers outside half fluffed easy goal shots in the 4^th and 19^th minutes before his first success on the half hour cancelled out a previous successful Neath penalty by Howard Thomas. 

Neath’s pack looked strong in the tight where Osprey lock and former Drover Lyndon Bateman was impressive in the line out. The home side were lively in the loose and all three back row forwards, Gareth Williams, Gareth Bennett and Chris Jenkins were impressive in carrying ball. Their contributions in the tight defence around the fringes was first rate. 

Just on the stroke of half time Llandovery were turned over in the line out. Neath moved the ball wide and up popped Captain and lock Martin Morgan to power his way through the defence and over the try line for the game’s opening try and a half time lead of 8 points to 3 to the visitors. 

Early in the second half the writing was on the wall for the Drovers. Neath won their line out ball and moved it through the hands to centre Kevin James. The league’s leading try scorer just ran hard and straight past a number of weak Llandovery attempts to tackle. He touched down under the posts and Howard Thomas added the extra points from the easy conversion. 

The next score, after both sides had seen their attacks snuffed out, fell to Llandovery with Steffan Rees putting over his second penalty of the match to leave the game well balanced at 15-6. At the same time ex-Llandovery College and Wales U21 Captain James Merriman was shown the yellow card for killing the ball in the ruck. 

The sin-binning of Merriman seemed to act as a catalyst but it was not the Drovers who rose to the occasion but the fourteen man Neath side. The next 15 minutes were a disaster for the home side as the Welsh All Blacks ran in a further four tries.  The rush of points was more down to a wretched Drovers defence than any great subtlety from Neath who took advantage by just running hard and straight.  

The third try of the afternoon was a second success for centre Kevin James. A weak chip kick on half way by Llandovery went straight into the hands of Neath wing Matthew Nuthall who sprinted away before sending a neat inside pass to centre James who had an unopposed walk in for the try converted by Howard Thomas. 

The bonus point try fell to co-centre Aled Bevan who took advantage to gather the ball and cross in the corner when the defence made a complete hash of securing the ball following a harmless looking kick down the centre of the pitch. 

The fifth and sixth tries, both presented on a plate to Neath by more poor defensive tackling, were scored by replacement scrum half Gareth James and full back Gareth King. Both tries were converted by the former Drovers outside half  Howard Thomas. The Llandeilo product now playing on the wing for Neath racked up a personal tally of 11 points from 4 conversions and a penalty against his former club. 

Watching Drovers coaches Iestyn Thomas and Lyndon Lewis were tearing their hair out at the total second half collapse of their team and indeed it was one of the worst 40 minutes seen at Church Bank for a long time. The Drovers will certainly need to sharpen their act up when they take on bottom club Bridgend at the Brewery Field  in their next outing. The Ravens have lost all six games this season and a defeat here would send the Drovers tumbling to the foot of the table. Attitude, character and commitment are certainly required if the Drovers are going to halt their disastrous slide down the table with five successive defeats.

Subs: R Hughes, Emyr Phillips, Wayne Williams, Glyn Davies, Richard Cunniffe, Mathew Lemon, Justin Lewis

Pens: Steffan Rees (2)

Match sponsors:

Match ball sponsor:

Huw S Thomas reports:

Click here for pictures of this game, courtesy of Ian Williams of Riley Sports Photography where you will find many more Premiership photos

G Evans 6; O Rowlands 7, I Davies 5, S Thomas 5, V Jenkins 6; S Rees 4 (J Lewis), R Walters (capt) 5; E Howells 7 (W Williams), E Phillips 7, B Broster 7 (A Yelland), S Covington 6 (G Davies), H Pugh 7, C Jenkins 5, G Bennett 7, G Williams 7

Tries: Penalty (2); Con: Steffan Rees (2)

But there were smiles all round in the Llandovery camp when the news came through from St Helens that Bridgend had gone down to Swansea and trail the Drovers by four points.

Principality Man of the Match: Haydn Pugh (Landovery)

Tries: Owain Rowlands (2), Gareth Bennett Steffan Thomas, Phil John; Con: Ioan Davies (2); Pens: Justin Lewis (2)

Match sponsors: Phil Davies (President) and Handel Davies (Chairman)

Match ball sponsor: Mrs Evelyn Davies

1 Which country knocked New Zealand out of this year’s World Cup?

2 Which Principality Premiership side club are known as the “Old Parish”?

3 Which Springbok wing was recently voted IRB Player of the Year?

4 Who was a) the leading points scorer and b) the leading try scorer at the 2007 World Cup?

5 Which country had the most yellow cards in the tournament – Tonga, USA or Fiji?

6 Who refereed the 2007 World Cup final?

7 Which English club will be coached by Argentina’s Marcelo Loffreda this season?

8 Who is the only current Welshman to be coaching a Guinness Premiership side?

9 Which two countries played out the only draw in the 2007 World Cup?

10 On which ground did the Barbarians first play South Africa on January 26, 1952?

1 France; 2 Maesteg; 3 Bryan Habana; 4 a) Percy Montgomery (105 points) b) Bryan Habana (8 tries); 5 USA with 4 yellows; 6 Alain Rolland (Ireland); 7 Leicester; 8 Mike Ruddock (Worcester); 9 Canada 12 Japan 12; 10 Cardiff Arms Park

With bottom club Maesteg winning at Bedwas and Bridgend getting a bonus point at Cross Keys it was not a great day for the Drovers but they cling on to twelfth position in the Premiership, five points behind the All Whites, their next opponents this Saturday at St Helen’s, Swansea. 

Justin Lewis 7 (Steffan Rees); Darren Daniel 6, Viv Jenkins 5, Steffan Thomas 5, Owain Rowlands 7; Ioan Davies 5, Rob Walters 6 (capt) (Adrian Williams); Phil John 5, Emyr Phillips 5 (Adam Yelland), Andrew Jones 5 (Rob Hughes), Tom Walker 5, Haydn Pugh 7, Marc de Marigny 6, Gareth Bennett 5, Gareth Williams 6

Pens: Steffan Rees; Justin Lewis (4)

Match sponsors: Barry Saunders RWB Developments & Jones Brothers Henlan and Associates

Match ball sponsor: Dave Gilbert & Phil Jones

Huw S Thomas reports:

Click here for pictures of this game, courtesy of Ian Williams of Riley Sports Photography where you will find many more Premiership photos

Ioan Davies 5; Nathan Brew 5 (Matthew Lemon), Mike Jones 7, Steffan Thomas 5, Viv Jenkins 6; Steffan Rees, Adrian Williams 5 (Rob Walters); Phil John 6, Adam Yelland 6 (Emyr Phillips), Ben Broster 6, Tom Walker 7 (Steve Covington), Haydn Pugh 8, Marc de Marigny 6, Gareth Bennett 5 (Wayne Williams), Gareth Williams 5

Pen: Steffan Rees (2), Ioan Davies

John Kendrick reports:

A highly entertaining Konica Minolta Cup third round tie came to a thrilling end when in the 79^th minute wing Vivian Jenkins crossed in the corner to seal a victory for the Drovers and ensure their place in the hat for the fourth round draw. 

In an absorbing game of rugby, with both sides scoring four tries the cup holders held their nerve to come from behind to save themselves the embarrassment of falling at the first hurdle in their defence of the trophy. 

It was the student underdogs of division 1 who took the game to their Premiership opponents and with some sparkling running rugby ended the first quarter of the match having opened up a 19 points to 3 lead. 

The opening try came after only 5 minutes when open side flanker Guy Thompson stole away from a maul and finding the blind side undefended raced over for a try in the corner. Worse was to follow when the Drovers debutant outside half Gareth James hit the post with a penalty kick, the ball was grabbed by the students' full back Alan Awcock as he raced out from behind his own line. 

With the Llandovery players watching the flight of the ball slow to turn and recognise the danger Awcock reached half way without a hand being laid on him. A long kick and chase downfield was won by Awcock to record an outstanding individual try. The extra points for the conversion were added by Simon Humberstone and within 10 minutes of the start the students were 12-0 ahead. 

A second penalty attempt from James was successful and the visitors were finally on the scoreboard although this was not the end of their first half misfortunes. Lock Tom Walker, a tower of strength in the Drovers set up, had to leave the field with a suspected fracture to the hand and soon after the students ran in their third try. Again it was flanker Guy Thompson who took advantage of some weak tackling to cross for his second try. Simon Humberstone added the extra points and with 20 minutes gone the home side had established a commanding 19-3 lead and an upset looked to be on the cards. 

Keeping cool heads and securing a score before half time were essential if the Drovers were to avoid what would be a headline defeat and when Number 8 Marc De Marigny dived over following a line out for the opening try, with Gareth James adding the conversion there was some hope that the cause was not lost. Doubts were again raised, however, when prop Andrew Jones was yellow carded for ‘over-vigorous’ rucking and Humberstone kicked the penalty to establish a half time lead of 22-10 for UWIC. 

A great second half display was required if Llandovery were to avoid becoming the first Premiership side to lose to a club from a lower division for over two years and to their credit they rose to the occasion.  Prop Phil John was outstanding in his efforts for his team and in this he was most ably supported by young open side flanker Wayne Williams, both players carrying the ball disrupting UWIC  play. The pair were also responsible for the second and third Drovers tries. 

Phil John peeled off from a maul, made a good 25 metres before slipping a pass to Williams who had a clear run to the line. A second penalty by James really opened the game up at 22-18 and then in the 65^th minute the Drovers took the lead for the first time in the game. Once again it was Phil John to the fore, breaking away from a maul he forced his way through the student defenders to gain the touch down. Justin Lewis converted and the Drovers led by 3 points. 

With the Llandovery pack producing good ball for the backs Cambridge Blue Steffan Thomas at inside centre was prominent in breaking the gain line to set up a string of attacks but drama was not far away and against the run of play in the 70^th minute UWIC pounced for their 4^th try. Blatant crossing in the centre, seen by all at the game except for Referee Huw David who allowed the move to continue, disrupted the Drovers defence and left wing Rhys Crane was free to touch down. Humberstone added the conversion and with 5 minutes on the clock the visitors once again found themselves trailing by 29 points to 25. 

Then in the 79^th minute the final twist in the tale – as once again Steffan Thomas broke the gain line, fed co-centre Mike Jones who ghosted through the smallest of gaps to free wing Vivian Jenkins to sprint for the corner outpacing the defence and secure the try. Justin Lewis added the conversion although Llandovery had to endure 3 minutes of nail biting extra time before they could begin their celebrations from a very narrow escape.   

Tries: Marc De Marigny, Wayne Williams, Phil John, Vivian Jenkins;  Cons: Gareth James, Justin Lewis  (2); Pens: Gareth James (2)

Huw S Thomas reports:  

But when replacement hooker Richard Wilkes was yellow-carded ten minutes into injury time to reduce his side to 13 men, the Drovers at last created something to send centre Steffan Thomas crashing through for a consolation score, improved upon by James.

O Rowlands 8; C Matthias 6 (R Cunniffe), M Jones 7, S Thomas 6, V Jenkins 6 (I Davies); G James 5, R Walters (capt) 7 (A Williams); E Howells 5 (P Lewis), A Yelland 6, G Cunniffe 5 (A Jones) D Jones 6 (A Lloyd), S Covington 6, M de Marigny 5, G Bennett 6, W Williams 7 (G Williams)

Llandovery man of the match: Owain Rowlands

Try: Steffan Thomas; Con: Gareth James; Pens: Gareth James (2)

Man of the Match Evans read a long midfield pass to intercept and run in from 45 metres for a try that he himself converted for a personal tally of 18 points in an impressive all round display.

J Lewis 4 (I Davies); D Daniel 7, M Jones 6, S Thomas 4 (C Matthias), O Rowlands 6; G James 4, A Williams 4 (R Cunniffe); E Howells 4, A Yelland 5, A Jones 6 (G Cunniffe), D Jones 6 (S Covington), H Pugh 4, W Williams 5 (G Bennett), M de Marigny 4, G Williams (capt) 5

Pen: Gareth James

Match sponsors: George Parker of Parker Plant, Llanelli and Brian Jones of Castell Howell, Carmarthen.

Match ball sponsor: Mr. M