The kick off saw the home side attacking and the Drovers were defending well but Ponty soon went ahead and converted to take the score 7-0. This was soon doubled to 14-0 and the visiting boys were a bit taken aback by the ferocity but they tackled and took the game to the opposition.

The second 20 saw a few changes and a few choice words from Neville and the boys came out with gusto and Richie scored in the corner, converted by Daf – game on! We were soon attacking again and Ponty seemed surprised with this and with a good drive upfield we were soon on their line and with a few more drives Harry scored and Daf converted to take the score to 14-14, with the last thirty looming.

But the home team seemed to have a few players with old heads and even when they were penalised and down to 13 men the Drovers could not penetrate their defence and with the amount of tackling and defending taking its toll the last 10 minutes saw Ponty score four times to take the final score to 38-14. But it must be said that this was the first game of the season and possibly the hardest so it bodes well for the rest of the season and the boys enjoyed the experience.

The day was fine and sunny with a good squad of players so it seemed to hold good hopes for the game but from the onset it was obvious that Builth were more physical in all aspects of the game. They bullied the Drovers off the ball and with Kieran spraining his ankle it seemed the day could not get worse.

But worse it got and there is not a lot to say about the game in the first half, with the score being 21-0 to Builth at half time. The Drovers came out in the second half with more vigour but could not penetrate the visitors’ defence and they scored two breakaway tries to take the final score 33-0. This was a bad day at the office and there is a lot of work to be done at training!!!!

See below for pictures from this game.

With just enough players for the game to start the Drovers attacked from the start but they were pegged back by some good tackling and disruption of quick ball by the Ammanford forwards. This is how it was for most of the half but the Drovers found a way through and Daf scored and converted to take the score 7-0 to the Drovers, and this is how it stayed for the rest of the first half.

With the wind behind them the Drovers took the game to Ammanford and attacked at all opportunities but were repelled, but eventually the ball was handled well by the backs and Jack Evans score wide out and Daf converted, to take the score 14-0 to the Drovers.

With pressure mounting the Drovers were unable to score and with one of their attacks Ammanford scored from a penalty and converted to make the score 14-7 to the Drovers, and this is how it stayed with good attacking and defending from both sides.

The league games bode well for both teams and this was a good hard game in preparation for next week’s Welsh Home Cup Tie against Blackwood. Therefore it is essential that all players turn up for training on Thursday and with a good turnout on Saturday!!!

See below for pictures from this game.

With a dry day and a full changing room all looked well for a good game but it was soon dented when Blackwood turned up looking like a second team – they were big!!! But we have been here before and come out the other end with a win so we had faith (and needed it!!!)

The game began well with Blackwood kicking off and making their bulk tell from the first attack but it was Dan who cut down their prop with a tackle on the ankle and the boys picked up. It seemed that we could run them down and this is what happened. The Drover boys attacked their line and eventually broke through wide out, with Jack scoring and Daf converting to take the score to 7-0.

Back came Blackwood and attacked through their forwards but they were cut down by our boys and we attacked again with great inter-play between Daf and Jack, which led to Jack running up the middle and evading tackles to score under the posts with Daf converting – 14-0.

All seemed to be going well but the visitors got on the score sheet with a close range lineout and drive and converted the try to make it 14-7, and then scored a penalty to make it 14-10 to the Drovers. Good attacking play soon got us into their 22 and Rhys was unlucky not to score when the defenders pinched the ball in front of the try line, but it was soon recycled and Alun scored. The try went unconverted to take the score to 19-10.

Blackwood came back again and scored a try close to the posts from a scrappy scrum. This was converted to make the half time score 19-17 to the Drovers, who would have the wind in the second half. It was there to be won.

The second half started with a few injuries to our front row and we soon had to make uncontested scrums, which suited our lighter forwards. The score remained the same until the last ten minutes where the Drovers went on the offensive – Jack got the ball just in their half from where he attacked and chipped the full back and all present were amazed how he acrobatically scored just before the dead ball line. Daf converted to take the score to 26-17 to the Drovers. This knocked the stuffing out of Blackwood and two quick scores from Connor wide out, with one converted, made the final score 38-17 to the Drovers.

Roll on the next round!!!

With a few injuries and a few of the boys unavailable due to other commitments the Drovers nevertheless had a team to put out on the field. Llangennech had a large squad but as ever the Drovers will play as long as we have thirteen players (as was the case last year).

The Drovers went into the lead with tries from Richie and Rhys, with one conversion and a penalty to take the score 15-0 to the Drovers. But that was the end of the scoring for the Drovers and it went downhill from there. The visitors came back into the game when the Drovers had a player sin binned, Llangennech scored a few tries and brought the match back to 15-12 at half time.

However it was still there for the taking but due to injuries and having no substitutes, just after halftime the Drovers were reduced to 12 players. Llangennech could only score three tries and two conversions to eventually take the game 29-15 but it shows the character in the Drovers team to keep them to that score. We hope for a few players back next week when we play a combined Penygroes/Cefneithin Youth, playing away.

So onwards and upwards!!!

The day was a good one, with a drying wind, but as the bus rolled in to take the boys to the match you could see that Neville wasn’t a happy man – due to withdrawals on the previous night and on the morning of the game, there were only 13 players on the bus. One other player did turn up before kick off to make the number 14 players – again – against 15.

It was a hard start, with a ding dong battle, and it was a penalty from Richie which took the lead. But then the game changed and the Drovers were all over the home side, giving a half time score of 34-0 thanks to three tries to Richie – all converted – and a couple to Harry and Alun playing like Jamie Roberts in the centre.

You could see that the heads of the Cefneithin/Penygroes boys were down and it was not long before the Drovers scored again with 2 tries, one each for Evan and Richie.

The opposition did pull one back but it was soon curtains and the score of the day was from Sion the prop, who gained a burst of speed from the half way line, a chip over the full back and a sprint for the try line and scoring wide out to make the final score 55-5 to the Drovers and an early bath for all!!!

So when you start with 14 and score 55 points in so many minutes what’s the problem!!

But boys reality does strike home if the boot was on the other foot. So come on, let’s rally and get to training this Thursday with a minimum of 20 boys, because we have a home derby against Llandeilo on Saturday and a Welsh Youth Cup tie away to Cwmbran a week on Saturday.

The weather wasn’t the best, with heavy showers, but the changing room was packed with 19 players ready for the tough game against local rivals Llandeilo.

Llandeilo came up the valley with the intention of taking the points back home. Their pack was yet again bigger than the Drovers’ but as usual the boys never gave up, and they tackled their hearts out into the wind and rain of the first half and were well worth their 2 penalties from Richie to be 6-0 up within the first twenty minutes.

Llandeilo’s handling was not good and they lost the ball on several occasions. However they soon replied with 3 points making it 6-3 and just before half time they scored wide out and missed the conversion to lead at halftime 8-6.

With the wind and rain now at their backs and only two points behind the Drovers turned around with an air of confidence. It was ding dong for the first quarter and, with Llandeilo losing their nerve, Richie stepped up to slot over a couple of penalties from within the Drovers’ half to take the score to 15-8.

But back came Llandeilo and the Drovers tackled and tackled but, with time running out, the visitors scored to move the score to 15-13 to the Drovers, with the conversion to come. This looked to be straightforward but the young outside half forgot about the wind. This was also the case for one touch judge who put his flag up as soon as the ball was kicked but the wind took it across the front of the upright and the Drovers had won a close match!!!

Now we need a good turnout in training because the next game is Cwmbran away in the Welsh Cup

This was a wake up call and we soon were back to attacking and defending. A hard game was the order of the day but just before half time our ever present Callum was injured and the match was held up.

After the re start the forwards attacked, with Harry scoring close to the posts and Dafydd converting to take the score to 7-5 to the Drovers. But just before the half time whistle Tumble scored and converted to make the score 12-7 to the visitors.

The second half was a bit of a farce with heavy rain and wind, and with the Drovers taking the wrong options and Tumble tackling everything that moved the game petered out and was lost 12-7.

With a bare 15 in the changing room and on the field the Drovers looked to be in for a beating from a buoyant Brecon side and soon after kick off Brecon took a 3-0 lead with a penalty. However the Drovers faced up and tackled anything that moved. As the half wore on it was evident that this was going to be a close game and with the score still at 3-0 to Brecon at the break everything was to play for!!!

The second half started as the first half finished, with both teams wanting to play open rugby, and it was hard but Bradley chipped through and caught the ball and beat several defenders to score close to the posts and Daf converted – 7-3 to the Drovers.

This is how it stayed for a long time with a nip and tuck game but yet again it was a kick and chase from Brad that opened up the game with only the full back to beat to the try line but he was tackled short. A close range scrum saw Harry pick up and score wide out to take the score to 12-3 and this is how it stayed to the final whistle.

So we end the year with a win!!! So boys we start back training on the 2nd of January and we need to see all the players turn up, including the players who have been injured, so that we can mount a challenge and build on this win!!!

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the players and supporters of Llandovery Youth.

With the festive season behind us and well into the first month of 2014 it was on a wet Saturday afternoon that we entertained Glynneath.

The boys as ever gave Neville a headache, with a sparse dressing room and 14 players for kick off. We did eventually field 15 but with a bigger pack and general better play from the opposition it was going to be a long afternoon, especially with many of the boys out of position. But it was a game, and Glynneath eventually won 36 nil.

The score looks very one sided and the Llandovery boys made many errors which were punished but it was a game in bad conditions. We need to see a lot more in training on Thursday for the away Cup match next Saturday against Pontyberem. So boys, roll up muck and show we still want to play rugby for the Drovers!!!!!

With the weather kind this was only our second game in 20014!! But it was after Wales had beaten France, where some of the boys had over-indulged to say the least, but at least it was a game.

Bonymaen turned up with a full squad whereas Neville was still prancing up and down the changing room and chopping and changing the team with every new arrival. But we did put a team on the pitch (some had to come off to get rid of last night’s beer and kebab but that’s another matter).

The Drovers started off, as usual, very slowly and were punished, and were 17-0 down within 10 minutes. The boys then woke up and took the game to the visitors, and tackled a lot better. Bonymaen then scored late on in the half, with the wind behind them, to take the halftime score to 22-0.

It didn’t look good but Nev’s pep talk did a bit and we narrowly lost the second half 7-5, with Harry scoring in the corner to make the final score 29-5 to Bonymaen.

Therefore boys we need a good turnout to training this Thursday, with an away league match on Saturday against Llangennech.

See below for pictures from this game.

With the weather dry it was with a bit of nerves that the Llandovery boys travelled to Llangennech, with a squad made up of more forwards than backs and players out of position. But if we can, we go and play, and give our best!!!

The game kicked off and the Drovers were soon on the attack and should have scored a try or two but the last pass went astray and Llangennech soon found their feet – and this was to be an understatement!!! Llandovery were soon down by 14 points but the boys fought back and Harry scored wide out to take the half time score to 14-5 to the home side.

The second half was uphill in more ways than one and, with the opposition stretching our defence and passing the ball wider, they were able to run around us and score. With the score going up to 31-5 the Drovers as ever showed a fighting spirit and did get the last score to make it 31-10 at the final whistle.

Therefore boys we need to turn up in DROVE(r)S to training every Thursday to avoid Nev being so frustrated. We could then show how we can really play as a team!!! So, starting this Thursday.

The night started well with a full changing room!!!!! But it started to go downhill when the visitors arrived and stated that they only had one prop and therefore required uncontested scrums.

It showed that we had not played for a while – the ball was getting spilled and easy passes were going astray. They came upfield, missed a long range penalty, although the next one sailed through the posts, to give the opposition a 3-0 lead, and give a gee up for the Drovers.

We eventually put together a phase of play and a good individual break by Bradley brought a try near the posts, and a conversion from Richie gave us the lead at 7-3. Not long after, a good break and passing along the line saw Floris scoring in the corner: 12-3

But the opposition were a determined team, and lack of tackling saw them power through and score under the posts and the conversion took the score to 12-10, and this is how it stayed until halftime.

With the usual team talk from Nev the Drovers came out with all guns blazing and two quick tries from Bradley, followed by a surging run from Alun which brought a try for Harry, plus one conversion by Richie, took the score to 24-10. The visitors’ heads started to go down and, with the Drovers getting the upper hand, further tries were scored by Richie and Evan. Both were converted, one each for Richie and Bradley, to take the final score to 38-10.

There is room to improve and this will have to be soon with the local derby coming up on the weekend, away to Llandeilo. With this in mind remember the bus leaves the club at 12.45 sharp – we need a full squad!!!

It was with a bit of a lurch to the heart that the bus left the club with only 8 players on board but all was well when it was noted that the changing room was filling up as the afternoon wore on and eventually we had a full team and 5 reserves.

The game started off with a bang and Llandeilo, wind assisted, were to the fore with driving forwards and were soon awarded a penalty, which they missed. The Drovers were tackling everything that moved and went upfield and were awarded a penalty which should have given them a 3-0 lead, but it went wide. This was a dour first half, with both sides tackling and spilling the ball, and the halftime whistle was blown with a 0-0 scoreline.

This was a game the Drovers should now win, with the wind and rain at their backs, but it was a day for the forwards, with a heavy pitch and the ball not going out to the wings. The Drovers got the first try wide out with Daniel scoring his first try for the Drovers, but the kick was wide, setting the score at 5-0.

With a spring in the step and a lot of arguing by the opposition it seems the tide was with the visitors, and not long afterwards a bullocking run by prop Caerwyn led to him being pushed over the try line, the conversion by Richie making it 12-0. It was now do-or-die time for Llandeilo but the tackling by the Drovers was the main reason that they were leading, and a dropped ball by Llandeilo’s fullback deep in their territory brought a scrum from which Harry picked up and scored. With no conversion the score moved to 17-0 to the Drovers, and this is how it ended.

Praise must go to all the players for their commitment to the tackle area and to ensuring that Llandeilo’s attack was snuffled out!!!! We go into Wednesday’s home league game with Ammanford on a high, so boys, the same turn out as today and the same result – it shows what working and playing well together can achieve.

So Dafydd Hughes, Welsh Under 18’s international, you will have to fight for your place come the end of the season!!!!

Silly season continues with another midweek match, with some of the boys having their fourth game in eight days. (Congratulations to Daniel, Caerwyn, Richie and Alun for playing for Carmarthenshire East 18’s on Monday night against Pembrokeshire).

With the above in mind there was a need to rest some boys for the first half of the game, and with a squad of 20 players it was easy to do.

The Ammanford squad looked big and physical and this was evident straight from the kick off and the Drovers found themselves 19-0 down after 20 minutes. But we know that the boys always start off slowly but will fight back, and they tackled and hounded the opposition with great effect and half time approached with the boys attacking.

The second half started well and we were soon up the field and, with the forwards keeping it tight, we were able to score two tries for Harry, converted by Bradley, to bring the game back to 19-14.

With more pressure coming from the Drovers the visitors were starting to panic and this showed in their penalty attempt for goal to take the score to 8 points clear, but it failed. The Church Bank boys were now tiring and Ammanford attacked and were awarded a try in the corner right at the end to take the final score 24-14 to Ammanford.

So we go forward to Saturday’s away league match against Tumble, with the bus departing at 12:45 prompt. So boys, come on, turn up!!!!

After last Saturday’s wasted journey to Tumble (where the ref called the match off due to a waterlogged pitch) it was back home to play Pontyberem Youth.

It was touch and go whether we had enough players for the game, with a lot of boys pulling out on the morning of the match and a few injuries, but we did manage to gather 16 players, a few of whom played out of position – and it must be noted that Callum played the whole game at prop, having never propped before!!!!

We started the better and were soon 3-0 up through a penalty from Jack but before long were behind due to missed tackles leading to a try and conversion for the visitors: 7-3 to them. It was ding dong for the rest of the half but Pontyberem did get another penalty just before the break to take the score to 10-3 to Pontyberem.

Nev’s team talk at half time pepped the boys up and we were soon on the attack but a break down in the opposition’s 22 saw them kick upfield and score wide out, and the conversion took the score to 17-3. This looked a long way back but the never-say-die attitude of the Drovers was soon plain to see and they scored two tries, through Rhys and William, to reduce the deficit to 13-17. But time was not on our side and with the dropping of the ball in try potential areas the game petered out with Pontyberem winning a good game 17-13.

So boys another away game on Saturday with the bus leaving the club at 12:45 prompt, so we will see you all there!!!!!!