Youth XV 2011-12

The season has come around again but it seems it might be a long one – with over ten of last year’s youth team stepping into senior rugby and only a few of the boys available in their final year, and with no Under 16’s team last year, the prospect of a large squad is a distant dream, but on we go regardless.

The team, captained by Kevin Jones and his vice captain Dafydd Jenkins, took to the field with Llandeilo able to call on the services of no fewer than 38 players. The afternoon could have been a long one, but the boys battled on and with a few other players coming out of the woodwork, and some having not played for a year, 16 players were available and RARING to go.

It was nip and tuck for the first ten minutes but with the Llandeilo boys’ size and strength and our players having not trained together the cracks started to show and the visitors were soon leading 14-0. But Josh Archer got the Drovers back in with a penalty to make it 14-3. It stayed like this until just before half time, where Llandeilo broke free and scored in the corner to make it 17-3 at half time.

Neville Hughes’s famous speech at half time gave confidence to the boys and they came out tackling like demons. If passes had got to hand we may have had a couple of tries in the corner but it was not to be and the final score flattered Llandeilo 38-6.

But there is potential there and if we could get the boys to train together and a few more boys turn up the prospects could look good.

SO IF THERE IS ANYBODY OUT THERE READING THIS AND KNOW OF ANY YOUTH PLAYERS WANTING A GAME, COME ALONG ON THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 6 PM FOR TRAINING. YOU NEVER KNOW, YOU MIGHT FOLLOW SOME OF LAST YEAR’S YOUTH AND PLAY FOR THE SENIOR DROVERS TEAM.

Amman Utd came to Llandovery to try to avenge last year’s result.

The first half was a dour affair with both teams spilling the ball and few chances going to hand but at half time the Drovers were up 14-0, with tries from Ryan Bailey and captain Kevin Jones, with two conversions from Josh Archer.

With the famous team talk at halftime from Neville Hughes the boys came out firing and were soon further in the lead with a try from new recruit Dominic Wong, with yet another conversion from Josh taking the score to 21-0.

Back came Amman Utd, who took the game to the Drovers and were unlucky not to score, but the Drovers’ persistence paid dividends with Josh scoring and converting his try to make the score 28-0. It then soon became 35-0, with another try for the captain Kevin Jones, converted by Josh.

Amman Utd scored a consolation try and conversion to make the score 35-7 but the Drovers hit back with long range penalty by Josh from near the halfway line to take the score 38-7. A try from Paris took the score to 43-7 and the final whistle.

The prospects didn’t look bright, with a bare 15 taking the pitch including three new boys – who had never played for the club before or had training together – against a formidable 15 who were much bigger than our boys, but it was a game and a challenge to all.

Emlyn players were bouncing off the Llandovery boys and pushing them away like flies, but the boys stuck to their guns and were only 15-0 down at half time. By that stage they were also a player down, making it 15 against 14, but despite Emlyn not pulling a player off the field to balance the sides the Drovers kept to their guns and never gave up. The three new boys showed up well and everyone harried and chased down the opposition.

The famous half-time pep talk by Neville Hughes must have done some good to the Drover boys because they carried on where they finished off the first half and tackled anything that moved. However, with deteriorating weather, incessant rain, and the ball becoming like a bar of soap, the boys’ heads went down when they were reduced to 13 men. Emlyn did lose a man to make it 14-13, but they also scored a few more tries to take the score to 32-0.

An interception and subsequent try by Daniel Lintern and the conversion by Andy Magena bought the score to 32-7. Emlyn came back again with a try to make it 39-7 but the young Drovers kept going and were rewarded with Josh Archer scoring and Andy converting, to make the final score a respectable 39-14.

We would praise the boys for their work rate and commitment to the cause and never-say-die attitude. If this continues there will always be a team with the Drovers. Da Iawn Boys.

Brynamman turned up with a young side and some big boys and the game got started off with the Llandovery pack taking it to the opposition eight. It was not long before the first try came, from a short bullocking run from Captain Kevin Jones which was converted by Josh Archer, making the score 7-0.

The Drovers came very close to scoring another try but were denied by good tackling from Brynamman, but the pressure soon told and a short penalty was run and Kevin scored, Josh converted, to take the score to 14-0.

Brynamman took the game to Llandovery but some good solid tackling made sure that their attacks came to nothing. Llandovery were soon back on the attack and just before half time Josh converted a penalty to make the score 17-0 at the break.

Neville was pleased with the first half but yet another famous pep talk was made and the boys came out firing on all cylinders. They were unlucky not to score on a few occasions but the pressure soon told – Josh scored wide out and converted well to take the score to 24-0.

Changes were made and everybody had game time and, with the weather closing in and a heavy drizzle, the game petered out but it was new boy Ceri Davies who scored in the corner to make the final score 29-0 to Llandovery.

It was a good team performance, with the previous Thursday night’s training doing a world of good to all players – long may it continue.

The weather was hot and sunny – more beach weather than rugby weather – but the Drover boys were up for the first league game of the season, against Kidwelly who boasted Scarlet youth players and seemed to be a well organised team.

Kick off came and the boys seemed to be in awe of their opponents but the Drovers spirit showed through and the tackling was as ferocious as ever. It was Kidwelly who struck first, with a penalty to make it 3-0. The visitors seemed to gain confidence and were soon down in the Llandovery 22, and they extended their score with a try and a well taken conversion to make it 10-0.

Llandovery heads went down but encouragement from the touchline and from Kevin Jones and Josh Archer saw the boys rally and some stout defending made Kidwelly run over the dead ball line before touching down.

With half time approaching and the Drovers gaining in confidence a slip in midfield saw Kidwelly sweep up the field and score wide out, and another excellent kick took the score to 17-0 at half time.

Yet again Neville’s famous words of wisdom made the boys come out for the second half brimming with confidence and this was seen in sweeping attacks time and again and being camped in the Kidwelly 22 for long periods. But the visitors tackled well and denied Kevin Jones, Aled Thomas, Josh Archer, Kiean Evans and Dafydd Jenkins.

But for some disruptive injuries to Aled Jones, Daniel Lintern and Andy Magena the final score could have been very different. The boys ensured with great cover tackling that Kidwelly didn’t score another point and the final score of 17-0 did not reflect the second half dominance that the Drovers showed without gaining any points.

It was a game that took its toll and Thursday night’s training session will show how many walking wound are up for the away game in Ystradgynlais next Saturday.

See Match pictures below

The morning had not gone well for Welsh rugby and the afternoon did not start too well for the Youth, with a bare 15 turning up for the game. Some didn’t have the time to warm up before the game started. But we at least fielded a team – 15 players who wanted to play for the Youth. With two players playing on the wings who should be in the forwards, and several players playing out of position, it was a matter of suck it and see.

The game started off well with Tom Bailey charging down a clearance kick in the first ten minutes and collecting the bounce to score under the posts, with Josh Archer converting. This was the highlight of the first half – with the Wanderers then scoring 2 tries and conversions to lead at the break 14-7.

With a rousing half time talk from Neville it was with hope that the second half started but the Drovers were soon down 26-7 when the visitors scored 2 quick tries and conversions. The boys stuck to their guns and tackled well but another mistake let the Wanderers in for another try to take the score to 31-7.

It stayed like this to the end of the game where Kevin Jones scored a consolation try and Josh converted to make the score 31-14 to the visiting team.

There is a need for everybody to turn up to training and hopefully we will see our walking wounded back sooner rather than later.

The weather was bad and the news from the clubhouse was no better, with only 12 players able to turn up for the match. The mini bus left with 11 players, 2 coaches and one supporter, with another player going by car. Thus arriving in a wet Pontardawe with only the bare bones, and seeing them with a squad of 21, the prospects of an even match looked bleak.

The match started with non contested scrums, 6 forwards and the same amount of backs and with 2 centres being forwards but, as the old saying goes, we TURNED UP!!!!! and we were the first to score with a penalty from Josh Archer. We could have doubled the score if the second penalty had gone over but that was the end of the scoring for the Drovers, Pontardawe scored 38 points and that was up to halftime.

But Neville Hughes’s now famous lecture saw the boys come out with spirits upbeat and they tackled and surged up field and were camped on the home line for a good 15 minutes but unable to score. The boys wore their hearts on their sleeves and, as is the famous tradition of the Drovers, NEVER GAVE UP!!!!

Pontardawe scored another few tries towards the end of the game to take the score to 55-3 but they admitted themselves that they had been in a game and that, as lot of their tries had come from our mistakes, we could take heart. As in life there are learning curves and this was one of those days which the younger players will remember and the experience will do them no harm. But as was said, the boys who didn’t turn up were the losers!!!

But onwards and upwards and as in the song that the Drovers have taken as their anthem NI YMA O HYD!!!!!!! Ymlaen Y Porthmyn!!!!!

With the sun shining and perfect conditions for running rugby the added privilege of playing on the first’s pitch was a bonus to the young team, and with Neville on a sabbatical up in Stoke the boys wanted to show what they could do for the few supporters who came to watch.

Builth came down with 16 players. All seemed to be larger/bigger than the Drovers but size isn’t always everything, though it helps.

The visitors kicked off and the first mistake was made, with a player in front, and the resulting scrum saw them nearly pushing the Drovers off the ball but they held strong. Some loose play saw an offence just outside the 22 where Builth got their first points from the resulting penalty: 3-0. Another penalty soon afterwards and a quick try saw them leading 11-0.

The Drover boys rallied. Josh missed a long-range kick but an attack upfield and a quick ball from a penalty saw Sam crossing under the posts for Josh to convert to make it 11-7.

With a bit of confidence and Builth boys arguing between themselves the Drovers soon got back into the opposition 22 and quick thinking from Josh saw Dafydd Jenkins on his shoulder to step past two players and score under the posts for Archer to have a simple conversion to take the score to 14-11 to the Drovers.

Builth started to roll the mauls and use their bulk and up-field they surged. A score was inevitable and this they did, and converted, to take the score at the interval to 18-14 to them.

Could Gethin give as good a team talk as Neville? The second half saw Builth up for it and the Drovers defending stoutly, with everyone tackling. They surged several times into the 22 and some heroics on the try line saw them drop and fail to score on several occasions but the pressure told and they scored again to take the score to 23-14 to the visitors. This is how it stayed to the final whistle but it could have been different if the young Drovers had taken a few chances and the ball stuck in the hands. It was a game that could have been won.

The weather was yet again dry and sunny and good for open rugby. Llangennech arrived with a large squad of players and seemed to be bigger than the Drovers in all departments.

The game kicked off and it was a hard fought game, with the effects of the night before’s party to be seen on the Drovers players with dropped passes and fumbles. Llangennech were the first to score – an unconverted try in the corner – with Josh Archer kicking a penalty making the score 5-3. The visitors were pressing hard but good tackling and team work was keeping them at bay until a penalty took the score to 8-3 to Llangennech, and this is how it stood to half time.

Neville Hughes was back with his half time team talk and in the first ten minutes the Drovers were all over Llangennech but could not score and Llangennech broke away to score a try, making it 13-5. The Drovers came back well and eventually a tapped penalty was taken, with scrum half James Morgan touching down and Josh unable to convert taking the score to 13-8.

This was the last score for Llandovery, who continued pressurising the Llangennech defence and were unlucky to lose the ball close to the line. When Kevin Jones limped off the heads started to go down and Llangennech rallied and scored another 12 points to end the game winners by 25-8. But the young Drovers had kept going throughout and were gallant losers.

The opposition were again bigger than the Drover boys and in the first twenty minutes this showed in the loose and in the scrums and we were pegged back in our half. The boys seemed not to be coping well with the pressure, with good ball wasted with needless and non directional kicking, but with some encouragement from Neville the game started to change.

Amman took the lead with a penalty goal 3-0 but Llandovery rallied and a sweeping move took us into their 22 where the ball was lost. But back we came and Tom Bailey got on the end of a pass to score near the posts and Josh converted to make it 7-3.

Josh missed with another kick and this how it stayed up to half time but it must be said that, when the Youth had the ball, they now wanted to run everything and it was unlucky that the ball was lost two or three times with the line at their mercy, with the best run going to full back Ceri Davies who was spear tackled close to the line – the ref was oblivious to it, which infuriated Neville.

The second half was all Llandovery – after Neville’s team talk they came out with more appetite and Josh kicked a further three penalties to take the score to 16-3. This was to be a catalyst for Josh – he scored an individual try of brilliance with a chip and chase to the corner to make it 21-3. Amman did get another penalty to make it 16-6 but it could have been much more if thr the weather conditions hadn’t its toll.

With their heads down Amman Utd were now infringing and in total disarray. Penalties were being given away and eventually a yellow card was shown.

One of the highlights of the second half was Andy’s dancing run down the touchline which saw him beat defenders from the 10 metre line to their 22, where eventually he was tackled. With Kevin the Captain out injured his deputy Dafydd Jenkins took the reins and was unlucky not to get on the score sheet.

One of Nico’s bullocking runs eventually paid dividends, with a try under the posts to give Josh another conversion to take the final score to 28-6 to Llandovery.

All the youth played the second half with their heart on their sleeves and it was shown that, as with the famous lad from this area, Shane, size isn’t always everything.

The day started bright and crisp with blue skies aplenty. Would this be the same for the game this afternoon, being the first one since the Christmas break?

With the boys trickling in and Neville hoping for a good turnout against high flying Emlyn it was with a sigh of relief that we could put a full team on the pitch with substitutes to hand.

The game kicked off with the bigger Emlyn pack taking the ball up and ensuring a long day at the office for the considerably smaller Drovers eight. In fact it was said on the touchline that it seemed that the visitors had ten players in the pack (size wise) to our eight, and it was not long before they scored the first try, albeit not before the usually reliable Archer missed a kick for the Drovers, therefore making the opening score 5-0.

Another score seemed inevitable and it came via a drive up the middle and another touchdown in the corner: 10-0. The Drovers seemed to rally a bit and it was not until late on in the half that Emlyn scored a third try, which was converted to make it 17-0.

Then came a turning point in the game. Rhys Morgan ripped the ball from their grasp as they were crossing the line which should have resulted in a 5 metre scrum, but the ref was unsighted and only saw their hand on the ball and he awarded a try. This was the only mistake the referee made all afternoon – he was fair to both sides, but this decision about 5 minutes before halftime seemed to inspire the boys and it was 22-0 to them.

Then came Neville’s famous team talk and a few words of wisdom from Josh had the boys coming out after halftime with a spring in their step, and it was shown from the kickoff what they maybe should have done from the onset. They spoiled, rushed and tackled like demons, with our two smallest – Tom and Rhys – tackling boys 5/6 stone heavier than themselves. This made the other boys look and the intensity picked up, and with the Drover boys peppering their try line it eventually paid off with Archer supporting captain Dafydd Jenkins to barge over the line, and converting to take the score to 22-5. Emlyn scored again to make it 27-5 and this was the final scoring of the afternoon, but it showed that if the Drovers put their minds and hearts to it they can compete with any team.

Praise must be given to all the players involved for showing commitment and the never say die attitude – onwards and upwards, Ni yma o Hyd!

The day did not start off well with only a handful of players turning up at the club but as time wore on it got better and eventually 15 players travelled to Ammanford for the game.

With the bare 15 taking the pitch and Ammanford able to field a team and several subs it was going to be a long afternoon and the boys were yet again up against bigger opponents. But they tackled all game and as ever they never gave up and gave a good account of themselves, but they were unable to penetrate a good defensive line and with tiredness catching up the final score of 27-0 to Ammanford was a fair reflection of the difference between the two teams.

Therefore it is essential that everyone turns up to training on Thursday night!!!

With the weather crisp and dry the Youth travelled to Brecon with 16 players, not knowing what team they would face, but on arrival it was stated that the opposition lacked any props and therefore uncontested scrums were the order of the day.

It was the Drovers who started off well, with attacking rugby and an early try scored by captain Kevin Jones. But Josh Archer had left his kicking boots at home and missed the conversion to give a lead of 5-0. The Drovers were worthy of the lead and Josh added to this with a penalty to take the score to 8-0.

Brecon came out in the second half with all guns blazing and scored a try and conversion to make the score 8-7. They were on the front foot and attacking at all opportunities and were rewarded when they kicked a penalty to take the lead, on 10-8. This was how it remained until the last few minutes when they transgressed and gave Josh the opportunity to snatch the game, but he was wide and that was how the game ended.

It was good to see what the Drovers had practised and trained on Thursday night brought to the field and it therefore can be seen how important training is to one and all. So come on boys, onwards and upwards, the season starts here!!!!!

The afternoon arrived with beautiful sunshine after the morning’s deluge but it seems the sun wasn’t to shine on the Drovers Youth, with barely 12 players on the bus to take on Emlyn and with 2 players having their first game of the season. Yet again players pulled out at the last minute but spirits were undiminished and on arrival it was stated that we only had 12 players, which meant uncontested scrums.

With Emlyn’s large squad it was going to be a long afternoon but this it was not because, straight from the kick off, their power and might was evident. They are a well drilled and solid team with strength in depth. They scored within the first minute and converted but worse was to come, and they soon rattled up 50 points in 25 minutes and we were back in the changing room before half time.

Neville stated that we fulfilled the fixture but the boys that did not turn up should shoulder the blame, not the players that took the field, and that this was one of life’s learning curves. This shows that there is a need for all players to turn up to training and onwards to the next game.

The afternoon started off rather better than a fortnight ago, with the changing room brimming with players and a full team with substitutes!!!!

The game started off at a fair old rate with the bigger Brecon boys taking the ball up but it was the home team that counter-rucked and cleaned out the ball well and were the first to score with a penalty from Dafydd Jenkins, playing out of position at outside half (Josh missing) – 3-0 to us. With the ball being gained it was kicked to the corners well and, with a wind at their backs, it was not long before the Drovers scored the first try of the afternoon through Dafydd Jenkins, and he also converted to take the half time score to 10-0.

The second half would be backs-to-the-wall for the Drovers who now faced that very stiff breeze and soon the Brecon forwards were up in our faces. Some good tackling made sure they did not score but the pressure soon told and they scored wide out to take the score to 10-5. The Drover boys soon mounted a strong run down the middle of the field and two quick tries from Kevin Jones made the score 20-5 and there was a bit of daylight between the teams.

But Brecon came back strongly and it was only good tackling that kept them out, and with another late surge Jed crossed in the corner to take the score to 25-5 to the Drovers. Brecon added to their score right at the end to take the final score to 25-10.

This game shows what can be achieved with a good squad, so come on boys, let’s finish on a high and win the last few games of the season, ensuring that wide grin on Neville’s face stays there until the end of the season!!!!!

See Match pictures below

With the weather more like the middle of summer rather than the end of March it was with an anxious look that Neville entered into the home changing room, where he was pleasantly surprised to see the room full with 20 players so there were subs today!!! and a headache picking the starting 15!!

The game started well, with the boys taking the game to Ammanford, and it was not long before the Drovers scored the first try through a rolling maul from a 5 metre lineout, Andrew Jackson falling over the line with ball in hand and scoring his first try and Josh converting to take the score to 7-0.

With a bit of indiscipline from Ammanford Josh scored three penalties to make the half time score 16-0 to the Drovers.

With Neville’s team talk all looked well for the second half but it could not have started off in a worst fashion, with Ammanford stealing a ball at the lineout and scoring and converting to take the score to 16-7. But worse was to come, with another two converted tries making the score 21-16 to Ammanford. With the afternoon sun taking its toll on both teams and mistakes being made a quick penalty was taken by Josh, and with the backs alert the ball moved across to Ceri on the wing to score wide out to take the score to 21-21, with Josh I’s conversion to come. He took the pressure well and struck a perfect kick over the posts to take the final score to 23-21 to the Drovers and the first league win of the season!!!!

So it seems now the season starts for the Drovers and a good night was had by all. Training on Thursday should be interesting!!!!!

With a substantial crowd gathered to see the first XV take on the Quins it was nice to see a sizeable crowd watch the Youth.

The game started with the two teams’ size difference making an automatic impact and the Drovers were soon down by two tries and a conversion to make it 10-0 to the visitors. But Josh found his kicking boots and the score at half time read 17-6 to the Quins.

With Nev’s inspirational team talk it was with hope that the boys could make a come back and claw back the score line but they were soon scoring again and again and we were soon down by 35-6. But the boys kept plugging away and were rewarded when good work by the forwards and a quick ball out to the wing saw Ceri score in the corner, and an excellent conversion from Josh made the score 35-13.

But the Quins soon came back and scored another two unanswered tries to take the final score to 48-13.

But it was another one of those learning curves which hopefully will pay dividends next year when the boys will all be a year older, wiser and bigger – so come on the Youth, onwards and upwards. Ni yma o Hyd!

See Match pictures below

Yet again the bus left the club with a bare 16 players but turn up we did, and on arrival it was yet again obvious to the neutral that it looked as if the game was men against boys, with their pack double the size of ours, but due to players dropping out in the morning we had to have non-contested scrums which was better for us but not for the opposition!!!

The game kicked off with their bigger forwards and backs attacking at all instances and angles but the boys stuck to their guns and yet again squared up to the bigger opposition. It seems the young Drovers have lions’ hearts and they tackled everything that moved but Llangennech soon scored and were 7-0 up. However Josh struck a fine penalty to make the score 7-3 but they responded and scored wide out to take the score to 12-3. Another try soon followed, taking the score to 17-3.

It could have been very different if they had not made a try saving tackle on Andy on their try line from a fine backs move, Josh missed two difficult penalties, and the score remained 17-3 until half time so the boys were still in with a shout. Nev’s rallying call bucked the boys’ spirits but you could tell that the tackling was taking it out of them.

The second half started badly with their winger scoring two quick tries, taking the score to 27-3 but the Llandovery boys kept going and with positional changes a try came from Josh and a conversion, to take the score to 27-10. A come-back looked on the cards and if it was not for a lot of dropped passes from them the score could have been different but they did eventually score to take the final score to 34-10.

But all credit to the 16 players who went out on that field and faced up to opposition who were bigger and stronger. They deserved the credit and encouragement they were given by Neville and the oppositions’ coaching staff.

So with only two matches left, both away, next week to the Carmarthen Quins and in a fortnight to Kidwelly, we need to ensure that Neville’s hard work throughout the winter is rewarded with a good turnout in training and for both games.