Llandovery fall to a disappointing defeat at the hands of Cardiff in the capital as the hosts secure a convincing 37-28 win and edge ever closer to the Drovers in the SRC table, writes Llandovery’s rugby correspondent Harri Beckwith
Cardiff started the game strongly from the first kick, scoring an unconverted try after just 2 minutes through Osian Darwin-Lewis. Llandovery looked completely switched off and Cardiff took perfect advantage to take an early lead.
The Drovers did bounce back quickly however, brushing themselves off and launching multiple phases of attack on the Cardiff try line before Adam Warren was able to power over to level the score. Steffan-Jac Jones added the extras from the tee, and Llandovery had taken the lead.
An issue for Euros Evans’ Llandovery team so far this season has been their lack of discipline, which was apparent in this game too. After multiple penalty advantages, Cardiff retook the lead through the boot of Lloyd Lucas.
Cardiff also had their issues with discipline in the game, captain Sean Moore seeing yellow in the 18th minute, allowing Llandovery to make the most of their man advantage with Tomi Lewis running into the corner to retake the lead following great passing play and individual brilliance from Dan Gemine to get the ball out to the winger. Steffan-Jac converted once more.
Similarly, to the first kick of the game, Llandovery seemed to switch off after Tomi Lewis’ try which, after a few phases, allowed Cardiff’s Tom Harper to cross for 5 points. Unlike their first try, Lloyd Lucas converted, and Cardiff were now ahead once more.
Whilst both teams were creating chances, it was Llandovery who looked to be on top and would have felt disappointed to be behind. Things would get worse for the away side however, as just before halftime, Cardiff talisman Alun Rees scored to mark his 100th cap for the hosts, extending their lead further before the referee’s whistle.
The second half started in a very cagey fashion, both teams created chances, but nothing of note. Llandovery’s lack of discipline caught up with them once again as Adam Warren was sent to the bin. Cardiff, as Llandovery had done in the first half, exploited their numerical advantage, scoring just 2 minutes later. Steffan Emanuel crossing for the bonus point and Lloyd Lucas converting.
The Drovers’ second half performance was poor, and Cardiff looked the far stronger team, but Llandovery have shown many times this season that they cannot be ruled out, and in the 69th minute, many of the Drovers’ supporters were asking once more “we couldn’t, could we?” as Kian Abraham danced and weaved his way through the Cardiff defence to dive over underneath the posts and give Llandovery a lifeline. Jack Maynard easily converted in front of the posts, and it looked as if Llandovery had a chance to mount an unlikely comeback.
This comeback would be short-lived however as Llandovery’s lack of discipline once again proved to be their undoing. Dan Gemine saw yellow and Cardiff, as they had done several times over the course of the game, capitalised on Llandovery switching off and the numerical upper hand. Tom Williams scoring an unconverted try to take the game out of the reach of Llandovery.
All that Llandovery could play for in the dying minutes was a bonus point. Tiaan Sparrow’s marvellous run into the corner did just that, and Jack Maynard’s boot helped narrow the scoreline.
Llandovery will be very disappointed with their result at the Arms Park, with Cardiff closing the gap between the two teams, who now sit 2nd and 3rd respectively in the SRC table at the end of the second block of games. After a 2 week break, Llandovery will play their next 3 games at Church Bank and will look to take full advantage of their fantastic home support to gather momentum for the rest of the season.
Lineups
Cardiff Starting XV (Coach – Dan Fish)
Joe Cowell, Alun Rees, Tom Harper, Evan Rees, Sean Moore (C), Benjamin Fry, Nathan Hudd, Aled Ward, Ethan Lloyd, Lloyd Lucas, Tom Williams, Steffan Emanuel, Osian Darwin-Lewis, Joe Goodchild, Matty Young
Replacements
Gavin Parry, Ben Murphy, Christian Brooke, Ethan Phillips, Lucas De La Rua, Sion Davies, Ben Coomer, Jason Harries
Llandovery Starting XV (Coach – Euros Evans)
Josh Morse, Harry Thomas, Berian Watkins, Chris Long, Dan Gemine, Griff Evans, Jordan Evans, Osian Davies, Lee Rees (C), Steffan-Jac Jones, Aaron Warren, Adam Warren, Macs Page, Tomi Lewis, Jac Davies
Replacements
Cameron Lewis, Jamie Hughes, Gabe Hawley, Kai Jones, Tiaan Sparrow, Kian Abraham, Jack Maynard, George Macdonald.
Tries
Cardiff – Osian Darwin-Lewis, Tom Harper, Alun Rees, Steffan Emanuel, Tom Williams
Llandovery – Adam Warren, Tomi Lewis, Kian Abraham, Tiaan Sparrow
Conversions
Cardiff – Lloyd Lucas (3)
Llandovery – Steffan-Jac Jones (2), Jack Maynard (2)
Penalties
Cardiff – Lloyd Lucas (2)