After a three week break, Super Rygbi Cymru clubs are back in action this week with the Llandovery – Cardiff clash the highlight writes Huw S Thomas.
The Blue and Blacks – with new coach Dan Fish at the helm – are top of the table after winning six of their seven league games and will face an improving Llandovery at Church Bank.
Cardiff’s only defeat came in the first game of the season when they went down31-19 to Carmarthen Quins but six consecutive wins have taken them up to 34 points, two clear of Ebbw Vale
They are the SRC’s leading try scorers on 38 and have also gained more bonus points – 10- than any other side.
In Dewi Cross and Tom Bowen they have two of the quickest wings in the league, with Bowen – son of former Scarlets fly half Gareth Bowen – earning rave reviews in the Welsh press for his try-scoring feats.
The Drovers lost three of their first four games but wins over Newport (30-28), Swansea (42-13) and Aberavon (33-26) have lifted them to fifth in the table on 23 points.
Injuries and unavailability affected their early season form but the return to fitness of flanker Stuart Worrall and availability of No 8 Joe Powell will bolster the forward effort.
With five consecutive home games to play before Christmas on their spanking new 3G pitch, Llandovery have a golden opportunity to climb the table.
Winners of the 2023 and 2024 play-off finals they are keen to post notice that they will again be in contention for top honours under scrum-half and skipper Lee Rees.
Elsewhere, Carmarthen Quins travel to Bridgend for a Friday evening fixture with Ebbw Vale -Newport, RGC- Swansea and Pontypool – Aberavon scheduled for Saturday afternoon alongside the big clash at Llandovery .
*** The book launch of Blwyddyn Bythgofiadwy – a Chronicle of an Unforgettable Season – will take place at the Church Bank clubhouse post matc