DROVERS ON THE ROAD TO MERTHYR

Llandovery return to Indigo Premiership action this Saturday with a trip to Merthyr writes Huw S Thomas

The Drovers are still licking their wounds after Newport had turned a 17-3 half time deficit into a 27-17 win at Church Bank on January 29.

First half tries from back row Lloyd Pike, lock Osian Davies and wing Tomi Lewis suggested that  the Drovers were ready to chalk up another victory but the Newport fight back led to only the second defeat of the season for Llandovery

Not having played for seven weeks since beating RGC , the side looked short of match fitness against a side that had the advantage of a recent game.

Newport had enjoyed a most impressive 45-17 Cup win over Bridgend on January 22 and that gave them the edge in match fitness at Church Bank.

The Drovers faded badly after the break to allow the Black and Ambers to score 24 unanswered points to clinch a bonus point win.

Merthyr confidence will have been dented after Sunday’s narrow 17-16 loss to Aberavon in the quarter final of the Indigo Premiership Cup.

They were leading 16-10 in the 86 th minute and in reach of a semi final spot only to concede a controversial penalty try to the Wizards.

The referee Aled Evans explained that it was “illegal wheeling of the scrum after Aberavon were driving forward” that made up his mind.

 But Merthyr coach and hard task master Dale McIntosh will make sure that the Ironmen will be up and ready for the visit of Llandovery.

The last time the two teams played each other was back in November 2019 when tries from centre Kristian Jones and scrum half Lee Rees laid the foundations of a very hard fought 17-14 home win.

The sides look very evenly matched this Saturday and it could well turn out a thriller at a newly modernised Parc Y Wen.

 

— Huw S Thomas Rugby World Schools Editor 4 Maes y Coleg Llandovery Carms SA20 0HS 01550 720028  07866 553920