The Drovers chalked up their fourth consecutive win of the season to continue their steady climb up the SRC table writes Huw S Thomas with kind permission of the Brecon and Radnor Express
Four tries and a winning margin of 16 points gave Llandovery a maximum six points to move them up to fourth spot in the league and with three home games to come before Christmas, they are neatly tucked in behind Cardiff, Ebbw Vale and Newport.
Victory over the Ravens celebrated the official opening of Church Bank’s new 3G pitch in the presence of the great and good of the WRU, Welsh FA, Sport Wales and Carmarthenshire County Council.
It was also quite a day for 31 year old wing Aaron Warren –affectionately known to all as “Panda” – who, after 13 years of loyal service, made his 250th appearance for the club
He scored his 115th try for the club in a fashion, familiar to all home supporters, with a stabbing , weaving, slaloming effort that gave the Drovers a fragile 14-12 interval lead.
He and brother Adam are two of a long line of brothers who have served the club with distinction over the years, going back to the Adams brothers – George and Les- through to the likes of Geraint and Carwyn Williams, Handel and John Davies, Wyn and Alun Morgan, Chris and Adrian Davies.
Both Warren brothers were again outstanding against a very competitive, well balanced Bridgend whose full blooded effort was not reflected in the score line.
Llandovery were never in command of the game and it was only in the dying minutes that they got the vital fourth try when their best forward, lock Ed Scragg – outstanding in loose and line out – bullocked over from close range.
“We never have it easy against Bridgend” said coach Euros Evans “and they made life difficult in all areas of the game and field.”
“That we got a maximum six points for the win was a huge bonus because Bridgend often looked dangerous and disrupted our rhythm in attack and posed us problems behind.”
This was particularly evident in the first half with fly half Ben Burnell intelligently using the swirling wind to put his side into promising field positions.
From one such cannon of a kick and attacking line out, full back Ed Howley got the opening try and although Llandovery replied with one from prop Jamie Hughes, converted by full back Jack Maynard, the Ravens soon hit back.
A close range line out and driving maul brought a penalty try, yellow card for home No 8 Joe Powell and a 12-7 lead.
Bridgend lock Evan Hill was then sin binned for dangerous play and Aaron Warren’s grand effort gave the Drovers a fortuitous 14-12 interval lead.
When hooker Taylor Davies rumbled over for a trade mark effort from a driven line out, Llandovery went ahead 21-12 and looked set to turn the screw.
Not a bit of it, as Bridgend threatened only to find the home defence defiant, both Maynard and Adam Warren winning important turn overs in key areas.
With replacement scrum half George Macdonald showing neat touches and Jordan Evans – back to fitness – busy in the loose, the Drovers finished with a flourish after fly half Ioan Hughes had put them into prime attacking positions with his fine touch finding.
Off rumbled the pack from a five metre line out .to see Scragg use his 120 kilo bulk and power to seal victory with Llandovery’s fourth converted try of the day.
*** Llandovery entertain Pontypool this Saturday (KO 2 30 pm) in the hope of extending their winning run in the SRC to five matches.
Llandovery
Tries: J Hughes, Aaron Warren, T Davies, E Scragg
Cons: J Maynard (4)
Bridgend
Tries: E Howley, pen try
Llandovery:J Maynard; I Phillips, Adam Warren, R Jones, Aaron Warren; I Hughes, L Rees (capt) ; J Hughes, T Davies, L Green, C Long, E Scragg, O Davies, J Powell, S Worrall
Replacements: D Dallavalle, G Williams, B Watkins, J Evans, E Sheldon, N Hart, M Meaclem, G Macdonald
Bridgend: E Howley; J Thomas, J Gatt, R Wilkins, M Rowley; B Burnell, C Williams; H Olding, T Olding, L Tobias, B Waddell, E Hill, A Llewellyn, K Harris, Z O’Driscoll (capt)
Replacements: E Yardley, A George, E Cowan, T Huntley, I Pascoe, C Smith, I Griffith, C Nott