In front of the S4C cameras, poor Swansea fell to yet another defeat at the hands of the Drovers writes Huw S Thomas
Llandovery had not lost to the All Whites for 5, 164 days – since August 28 2010 – and rarely looked to be in danger of surrendering that astonishing record.
They came away with six points, including two bonus points, to signal that their early season blimp of form is behind them.
Not that they dominated the All Whites who kept battling to the very end but they always looked the more dangerous with ball in hand and more clinical in their finishing.
In full back Ellis Mee, they had the most explosive runner on the field, the ex-Nottingham player scoring a try and making another with a brilliant run on his debut for the club.
Signed by the Scarlets in the close season, the Welsh qualified speedster – Nottingham’s Player of the Season last year – looks destined for higher things.
It was not only his running that impressed but a cannon ball boot and crisp tackling made hin look something special.
In one mover he gained huge ground with the boot, followed up smartly, tackled the receiver and then forced a penalty at the ensuing breakdown.
Coach Euros Evans accepted that Llandovery’s maximum points win was a boost but was still short of being satisfied.
“We’re still not up to last year’s speed of ball from the breakdown and also need to work on our discipline.”
“Two yellow cards are two too many and we won’t get away with it against the top sides.”
The Drovers led 21-13 at the break without being anywhere near their best.
They had to rely on close range line out rumbles for two of their three first half tries – the first when wing Aaron Warren joined the driving maul, the second from promising hooker Finn Thomas.
Mee – taking advantage of a floated pass from fly half Ioan Hughes – got his try just after Swansea lock Chris Thompson was yellow carded and with Hughes converting all three, the Drovers were ahead 21-6, with time all but up.
Full back Josh Phillips had kicked two penalties for the All Whites but when home lock Morgan Jones was yellow carded near his own line, flanker Luca Giannini showed fine pace off an attacking scrum to go in under the posts.
Llandovery were soon down to 13 men when No 8 Evan Sheldon was sin binned for a dangerous tackle and it was only the intervention of a touch judge that saved the Drovers from punishment.
Wing Brandon Wood sped over in the corner only for the score to be knocked off for a forward pass.
Mee then made a slashing break from deep, with Jones making up for his yellow card with a try and when Swansea flanker Geraint Powell was sent off for 10 minutes for foul pay on Lee Rees, Llandovery pulled clear with a 14 point spurt
Thomas got over from another close range line out before centre Ilan Phillips finished off intense pressure to make everyone but Euros Evans happy with the day’s work.
*** The Drovers face a stiff task on Saturday when they travel to Aberavon
Llandovery
Tries: F Thomas (2), Aaron Warren, L Mee, M Jones, I Phillips
Cons; I Hughes (5), J Maynard
Swansea
Try: L Giannini
Con: J Phillips
Pens: J Phillips (2)
Llandovery E Mee; T Baldwin, I Phillips, R Jones, Aaron Warren; I Hughes, L Rees (capt); D Dallavalle, F Thomas, G Hawley, M Jones, E Scragg, O Davies, E Sheldon, S Worrall
Replacements: J Hughes, I Thomas, B Watkins, C Long, D Kossuth, Adam Warren, Jack Maynard, H Morgan
Swansea: J Phillips; B Wood, J Thomas (capt), S Matthews, L Edwards; H Williams, I Tremblett; E Thompson, J Cox, K Hire, M Dodd, C Thompson, G Powell, J Greaves, L Giannini
Replacements E Fackrell, F Chapman, Chris Davies, S Pailor, Cai Davies, A Hemmings, M Aubrey, T Edwards