The fortress of Churchbank held firm once again tonight as Llandovery remained unbeaten at home. With rain lashing down, the Drovers dug deep to secure a vital six-point victory. Their position becomes even more interesting after Ebbw Vale’s emphatic 38–6 win over Carmarthen Quins last night, a result that keeps Llandovery just three points off the top, with everything still to play for. Written by Cardiff Met sports media student Seán Richards.
Returning to the team, Tiaan Sparrow grabbed his sixth try of the season 10 minutes into thecgame. It was all against the run of play as Kian Abraham ripped the ball just outside his own 22 meter line and steamed down into the Wizards’ half. Abraham was only 5 meters away from the try line but got brought down, then Tiaan Sparrow used some brilliant handling skills to finish the try off, giving the Drovers an early lead however Jack Maynard missed the extras.
Aberavon then had a dangerous attack as an almost coast-to-coast attempt almost saw
them cross the line, which would’ve been a potential try of the season as they opted against kicking, but Ioan Hughes stopped the attempt by dabbing the ball down giving him a chance to clear his lines.
The visitors Aberavon then scored a try of their own in a very similar fashion to Llandovery. Totally against the run of play again, started by Captain Joe Gabe who pounced on a loose ball, then Frankie Jones just found a small amount of space and was then allowed to use some blistering pace. Keillen Cullen was left with a simple kick to add the extras, leaving the score 5–7 to Aberavon 21 minutes in.
Continuing from last week’s form, Harry Holden was at the breakdown to steal the ball to give Lee Rees a chance to get a 50/22. After some ferocious carries from the Drovers, Aberavon held firm and managed to secure a penalty and exit.
Just before half-time, straight off the training field, Kian Abraham was at the heart and soul of the try again. A great angle as he pierced through the first phase and when he ran out of space, sent a pass out wide for Jack Maynard to finish off. He then was able to convert his own try, sending the teams in at half time 12–7 to Llandovery.
As rain lashed down for the second half, Llandovery continued as they finished the first with a try. An excellently placed penalty to touch by Ioan Hughes gave Llandovery the opportunity to drive a maul over the line. Scored by Harry Thomas out wide to allow a great conversion by Jack Maynard, sending the score to 19–7.
Trying to grow back into the game, Aberavon got fortunate to secure a 5 meter lineout from a good kick but Jack Maynard usually would prevent it from going out to touch. Only 5 meters out, a huge chance went begging as the throw wasn’t straight. It then went from bad to worse for the visitors as Llandovery secured a scrum penalty to exit.
It was now Llandovery’s turn to come close as Harry Holden spilled the ball just short.
Keeping the Wizards down there, a huge scrum by Llandovery secured them a penalty and an easy 3 points for Jack Maynard.
Some excellent work by Dan Gemine to steal the ball twice in consecutive lineouts thrown in by Aberavon became key for the Drovers. Following the hard work of Gemine, Lee Rees as always taps early and sent Llandovery down the pitch, securing a penalty. Llandovery then punished with a strong driving maul and Harry Thomas got his second try of the night in the same way. Maynard then provided the extras out wide, putting the scores at 27–7.
Jayden Gray then saw yellow following some back chatting to the referee, which the Wizards were punished for just before for the same offence.
With not long left to play, after some fierce pressure by Aberavon, the early replacement for the injured Rhys Thomas, Felix Gilbert, crossed the line with a powerful carry to secure a second for the travelling Wizards. Although Aberavon crossed the line, Ioan Hughes saw a yellow card for repeated offences in the area.
Just before the full-time whistle went, Llandovery killed the clock with an easy penalty for Steffan-Jac Jones to secure that 6th point. Ben Whitehouse then blew the final whistle with the scores 30-14 to Llandovery, for an all-important 6-point win at the fortress Churchbank.
Yet another win at Church Bank as the Drovers’ fortress remained unbeaten in this season of SRC action. A very tough game against Aberavon was expected and some end-to-end tries showed how hard it was to get the breakthrough. Ultimately it was the Drovers who stayed the most clinical and finished off their chances with 2 strong tries at the maul again. The Drovers will now face last year’s campaign winners Newport at home on Saturday the 6th of December.
Llandovery Starting XV ( Coach – Euros Evans)
Josh Morse, Harry Thomas, Gabe Hawley, Joe Powell, Harry Holden, Dan Gemine, Tiaan
Sparrow, Osian Davies, Lee Rees (C), Ioan Hughes, Ned Bennett, Rhodri Jones, Adam
Warren, Kian Abraham, Jack Maynard
Replacements
Cameron Lewis, Jamie Hughes, Berian Watkins, Evan Sheldon, Kai Jones, Gryff Watkins,
Steffan-Jac Jones, Lucca Setaro
Aberavon starting XV ( Coach – Jason Hyatt )
Scott Delnevo, Cori Lewis-Jenkins, Bradley Roderick, Joe Gage (C), Frankie Jones, Keillen Cullen, Caelan Carson-Jones, Jordan Walters, George Merritt, Geraint James, Shay Smallman, Lewis Marsh, Rhys Thomas, Ashton Evans, Charlie Herdman.
Replacements
Jayden Grey, Sam Jardine, Felix Gilbert, James Clegg, Owen Griffiths, Morgan James, Ross Fox, Freddie Chapman.
Tries
Llandovery – Tiaan Sparrow, Jack Maynard, Harry Thomas (2)
Aberavon – Frankie Jones, Felix Gilbert.
Conversions
Llandovery – Jack Maynard (2)
Aberavon – Keillen Cullen (2)
Penalties
Llandovery – Jack Maynard (1), Steffan-Jac Jones (1)
Yellow Cards
Llandovery – Ioan Hughes.
Aberavon – Jayden Gray.