A resilient and strong second half performance from Llandovery sees them earn a well-deserved victory in the opening game of this SRC season, coming back from a 5-point halftime deficit to win the game 20-27 against the reigning champions, Newport writes Drovers’ new rugby correspondent Harri Beckwith.
Defending Champions Newport were unable to break through a great Llandovery second half performance which saw the visitors earn what could be a crucial victory come the end of the season.
A strong start for Newport saw them ahead 15-10 at the break, but unfortunately for the hosts, they would have to wait until the final play of the game to score again, earning a losing bonus point in the process. Llandovery, however, were able to score 17 unanswered points in this time, including a try for Josh Morse, the 12-times capped Wales u20 international, who powered through a gap in the Newport defence to score, on his return after a long injury, shortly after half-time.
The first half produced some great rugby for Newport such as the brilliant opening try from their winger, Fin Baker, who slid into the corner, following a perfectly weighted grubber kick through the Llandovery defensive line by Carwyn Penny. More Newport attacking pressure followed, and the game looked to be heading in their favour.
Llandovery answered shortly after, with a powerful try for Sturat Worrall, which opened the game up and provided an early look into the mentality and will-power that Llandovery would use to see the game out come the second half. Worrall’s try led to a short flurry of attacking pressure from the visitors, with Ioan Hughes’ boot a powerful weapon for the Drovers.
Whilst throughout the game, the Drovers defence was seen to be formidable, Newport managed to break through with Josh Skinner’s 22nd minute try, undoing the work of Llandovery. Following the Skinner try, the momentum shifted back in favour of the hosts, however their attempts to play the ball through the hands proved to be a problem for Newport, with the wet conditions after downpours all day leading to multiple knock-ons.
As the halftime whistle neared, Llandovery found a way back into the game, through Ioan Hughes’ effort to cross the line after strong forward play and a penalty advantage on the Newport try line. The game’s Player of the Match was unable to convert his own try but had provided his team with a lifeline to come back into the game.
Llandovery looked like a different team in the second half, using the kicking game of both sides to their advantage. Josh Morse’s aforementioned try provided the Drovers with their first lead of the game, and the visitors never looked back.
Keeping their heels on the neck of Newport, who by now were down to 14-men, Llandovery’s Cam Lewis drove over the Newport try-line to increase the lead of the cup holders, minutes after their 3rd.
On multiple occasions Llandovery proved why they believe they are title contenders this year, with major defensive victories on their own try-line, Stuart Worrall being key in many of these instances, and key substitutions from coach Euros Evans helped keep a strong consistency in this defensive effort.
A 69th minute penalty, slotted over by Ioan Hughes, proved crucial in seeing out the game for Llandovery, leaving Newport only able to fight for a losing bonus point, Barney Nightingale crossing over the line in the last play of the game following 2 Llandovery sin-bins in quick succession.
Llandovery, will look to use the momentum gained from this well-fought, gritty performance next week, as they host Swansea RFC in their home opener at Church Bank.
Tries
LLANDOVERY – Stuart Worrall, Ioan Hughes, Josh Morse, Cam Lewis
NEWPORT – Fin Baker, Josh Skinner, Barney Nightingale
Lineups
LLANDOVERY
Coach – Euros Evans
Josh Morse, Cameron Lewis, Berian Watkins, Chris Long, Joe Powell, Osian Davies, Stuart Worrall, Dom Kossuth, Lee Rees (C), Ioan Hughes, Aaron Warren, Rhodri Jones, Adam Warren, Corey Baldwin, Kian Abraham
Replacements
Finn Thomas, Jamie Hughes, Jac Pritchard, Dylan Alford, Dan Gemine, Llien Morgan, Jack Maynard, George Macdonald
NEWPORT
Coach – Tyrone Morris
Tom Devine, Henry Palmer, Ollie Drake, Josh Skinner, Callum Bradbury, Ioan Rhys Davies, Josh Reid, Ben Roach (C), Dafydd Buckland, Carwyn Penny, Fin Baker, Chay Foster-Smith Jon Morris, Lloyd Lewis, Morgan Williams
Replacements
Tom Workman, Wade Langley, Garin Harris, Cerrig Smith, Kobi Rees, Lucas Welch, Matt O’Brien, Barney Nightingale
Referee – Adam Jones