Llandovery returned to winning ways with a six-point victory in the SRC Trophy. A spectator
seated at the clubhouse end would not have seen much action, as a true game of two halves
saw both teams dominate towards the far end of the field at different times. A short cameo
from George MacDonald produced two early tries, while Brandon Wood had a similar impact
for Swansea in the second half. Written by Seán Richards, Cardiff Met Sports Media
student.
Llandovery started with instant impact, scoring within the opening two minutes through
George MacDonald, who ran an outstanding support line. An offload came his way before a
kick forced the Swansea skipper to carry the ball over his own line, resulting in a scrum. A
solid shove from the Drovers created space after one phase, allowing MacDonald to run
through untouched under the posts. Ioan Hughes added the routine conversion to make it
7–0 early on at Church Bank.
Sustained pressure from Llandovery led to several chances, with most of the play taking
place in the Swansea half. Corey Baldwin came closest to extending the lead but knocked
on just short of the line. Despite missed opportunities, the pressure was beginning to tell.
Once again it was George MacDonald making the difference. Following the recent retirement
announcement of Lee Rees at the end of the year, the scrum-half position looks in safe
hands. MacDonald’s second try came twenty minutes in and required more work. A stray
pass was pounced on by the scrum-half, who kicked the ball on the volley before regathering
with a strong chase. He then leapt over in the corner to make it 12–0, with no conversion
from out wide. Unfortunately, an injury brought his evening to an early end after just 25
minutes, but his impact was outstanding.
Throughout the first half, Swansea struggled to gain control as Llandovery played
intelligently to both the conditions and their structure. A rare break saw Luca Giannini find
space down the line, but the move ended in touch and Swansea were unable to capitalise.
Llandovery continued to clear effectively through Hughes, though their failure to convert
further chances left the score at 12–0.
At half-time, Swansea would have felt fortunate to still be within touching distance, but
creating more opportunities was the clear focus. This proved difficult as Ioan Hughes
controlled proceedings with his kicking game and experience.
The second half began at a frantic pace, with both sides moving the ball from end to end.
Lee Rees cleared following a turnover, and substitute Harri Doel showed blistering pace in
the chase. Swansea, who lacked threat in the first half, looked more dangerous after the
break, with Harri Houston standing out for his acceleration off the mark.
A team talk that clearly worked saw Brandon Wood cross for Swansea just a minute after
coming off the bench. A simple close-range scrum allowed the backs to attack, and Wood
found space with ease to get Swansea on the scoreboard. Josh Phillips added the
conversion to reduce the deficit. Llandovery responded quickly, however, with Ioan Hughes
converting a straightforward penalty to extend the lead to 15–7 after fifty minutes.
The Drovers kept this spell quiet as Swansea’s Josh Phillips was shown a yellow card
following sustained pressure. A quick tap from Lee Rees was followed by patient phase play,
with Llandovery remaining calm under pressure. The phases built and gaps began to
appear, allowing Ned Bennett to score his first try for the Drovers. Despite difficult conditions
out wide, Hughes converted to make it 22–7 after sixty minutes.
Two yellow cards followed shortly after for Kai Jones and Liam Lloyd, as the referee issued
warnings for repeated pinning down at the breakdown. Despite being on the receiving end of
this infringement, Llandovery will feel hard done by to have Kai Jones sent to the sin bin,
resulting in a brief period of thirteen versus fourteen players.
Llandovery defended resolutely, producing strong maul defence, but Brandon Wood crossed
once again for Swansea. Simple play and space out wide allowed Wood to show impressive
pace and finish in the corner. The conversion was missed, bringing Swansea back to within
ten points at 22–12 with just over ten minutes remaining.
Wood nearly completed his hat-trick moments later but was unable to hold onto a cross-field
kick just metres from the line. Swansea continued to apply pressure, dominating the scrum
and spending several minutes inside the Drovers’ 22 without allowing Llandovery a clean
exit. That release finally came following a penalty with five minutes left.
The decisive moment arrived when Rhodri Jones won a penalty for holding on. Further
backchat from Swansea allowed Ioan Hughes to kick to the corner, leaving Llandovery just
ten metres out. A penalty from close range followed, before opting for a scrum. From there,
Kian Abraham powered through the defence to seal the match, with Hughes converting to
confirm a 29–17 victory for the Drovers.
It truly was a game of two halves. Llandovery dominated the first half, as they so often do at
Church Bank, while Swansea responded strongly after the break. A physical contest
throughout, the key to Llandovery’s victory was their ability to punish mistakes and control
the game, particularly in the opening forty. The Drovers now prepare to travel to Aberavon
next week, hoping to rediscover the form shown earlier in the season.
Llandovery Starting XV (Coach – Euros Evans)
Tom Phillips, Finn Thomas, Harri O’Connor, Joe Powell (captain), Harry Holden, Griff Evans,
Tiaan Sparrow, Evan Sheldon, George Macdonald, Ioan Hughes, Llien Morgan, Rhodri
Jones, Corey Baldwin, Ned Bennett and Kian Abraham.
Replacements
Cameron Lewis, Jamie Hughes, Berian Watkins, Osian Davies, Jordan Evans, Kai Jones,
Harri Doel and Lee Rees.
Swansea Starting XV (Coach – Joe Thomas)
Tom Crockett, Logan Lloyd, Ed Thompson, Chris Thompson, Ben Roberts, Iwan Shenton,
Oliver Jones, Luca Giannini, Ellis Lewis, Josh Phillips (C), leuan Cornelius, Luke Davies
Joe Thomas, Liam Lloyd and Harri Houston.
Replacements
Jamie Cox, Daf Davies, Nathan Hills, Cai Arnold, Jacob Hopkins, Matthew Aubrey, Callum
Carson and Brandon Wood.
Tries
Llandovery – George MacDonald x 2, Ned Bennett, Kian Abraham.
Swansea – Brandon Wood x 2
Conversions
Llandovery – Ioan Hughes x 3
Swansea – Josh Phillips
Penalties
Llandovery – Ioan Hughes
Swansea –
Yellow Cards
Llandovery – Kai Jones
Swansea – Josh Phillips, Liam Lloyd