The Drovers were edged out 28-23 at Colwyn Bay in September but this time it was they who narrowly gained the spoils to chalk up a fifth consecutive win in the SRC writes Huw S Thomas with thanks to the Brecon and Radnor Express.
Now in fourth position, it puts them five points clear of fifth placed Pontypool, suggesting that the team finishing top of the regular table will be one out of Cardiff, Ebbw Vale, Newport and Llandovery.
A top four finish will ensure a home draw in the play offs, a vital advantage which went Llandovery’s way in the 2023-2024 all-conquering season when they had home draws in the play offs, first against Cardiff and then Newport.
The North Walians were desperately unfortunate to get nothing out of this game because they were the better side for much of the 80 minutes, only to be let down by inaccurate passes and poor decision making in the Llandovery 22.
That Llandovery ended up with five points and RGC none was manifestly unfair in a game that flowed back and fore from the outset.
Thr RGC line out was faultless, their defence powerful, their ball carrying strong and their back division found more holes in the home defence than any other side has achieved in years.
They had an outstanding player in 22 stone, 6’ 7 “Fijian lock Isaia Lotawa but although the Drovers were not in great form, they knew how and when to up the tempo and strike.
Their chosen moments brought four tries and a bonus point, two coming from wing Aaron Warren with trademark swerving runs and fine finishing..
Without centre Adam Warren – away at the World Schools Festival in the UAE with Llandovery College – defensive organisation lacked bite and the RGC attack found plenty of weaknesses to exploit through the middle and out wide.
For the Drover, it was an early Christmas present to get five points without being the better side on the field and the visitors will be bitterly disappointed at returning home pointless.
Tries from the excellent Warren – soon after RGC prop Pat Nelson was yellow carded – and centre Rhodi Jones, both converted by fly half Ioan Hughes trumped three penalties from fly half Dion Jones to make it 14-9 at the break.
In Llandovery’s best movement behind the scrum, sleight of hand and good angles worked in Warren for his second score to make it 21-9.
The North Walians responded in style, hooker Jac Petch-Jones burrowing over from a close range line out and No 8 Sam Williams popping up at the end of a flowing move.
With Jones hitting both conversions, the visitors led 23-21 but then lost Williams to the sin bin as Llandovery forced a penalty try from a close range line out surge.
With forwards Nathan Hart and Chris Long making an impact off the bench,a penalty by replacement Jack Maynard took the Drovers a score clear before RGC were denied any consolation when Jones’s ambitious last gasp penalty fell just short.
*** Attention now turns to this Saturday’s the local derby with Carmarthen Quins, captained by former Llandovery scrum half Rhodri Davies.
Llandovery
Tries: Aaron Warren (2), R Jones, Pen try
Cons:I Hughes (3)
Pen:J Maynard
RGC
Tries:J Petch-Jones, S Williams
Cons: D Jones (2)
Pens: D Jones (3)
Llandovery:
J Davies; L Morgan, R Jones, I Phillips, Aaron Warren; I Hughes, L Rees (capt); D Dallavalle, T Davies, B Watkins, M Jones, E Scragg, O Davies, J Powell, E Sheldon
Replacements: J Hughes, G Williams, L Green, C Long, N Hart, T Baldwin, J Maynard, B Thomas,
RGC: C Parry; R Tudor, D Cross (capt), A Bagshaw, S Stoddart; Dion Jones, T Jones; C Hone, F Petch-Jones, P Nelson, I Lotawa, I Evans, D Owen, S Williams, C Probert
Replacements: R King, J Parry, P Jones, T Taylor, E Fackrell, D Roderick, B McBryde, Delwyn Jones