A nailbiting encounter where neither team were ever certain of the spoils, but Llandovery did enough to play at the Arms Park. A well fought win wasn’t handed out easily, but the job was done for the Drovers at the final whistle. Written by Cardiff Met sports media student Seán Richards.
Disrupting from the off were RGC, as they found an early try through Dion Jones. A few chances just short, but Llandovery couldn’t hold out a twisting and turning Dion Jones. Billy McBryde struck the post, leaving the scores 0-5 early on.
Drovers didn’t wait to reply as Jamie Hughes crossed easily out wide. The phases were building and the gap was formed as Lee Rees spotted Aaron Warren who quickly shifted the ball outside him to Jamie Hughes. Following his opposite number, Ioan Hughes struck the post as well to tie things up 5-5 ten minutes in.
RGC looked to be on the front foot with an initial lead coming from a Billy McBryde penalty. McBryde later struck the post again just in front of the halfway line with a penalty, failing to add to the lead.
Shortly after a heroic penalty win on one end of the field, Jamie Hughes powered over for a second try of the evening at the other end, just under half an hour in. Coming agonisingly close from the maul, a few phases broke the Gogs’ defence for the Drovers to regain the lead. A simple kick for Ioan Hughes extended to 12-8.
A lead that didn’t last long at all, as a breaking Billy McBryde powered through the Drovers’ defence and Delwyn Jones was on his shoulder to finish. A try out of nothing, as Delwyn Jones supported to work his way over the try line. No mistake from McBryde as he converts to put the scores at 12-15 to the visitors.
A try fest for the front row saw Cam Lewis add to Hughes’ two as he also powered over. Sharp thinking from a quick lineout saw both Warren brothers combine, but they were just short. The resulting lineout allowed a few phases for Lewis to push over the line. A routine conversion for Ioan Hughes put the scores at 19-15 to the home side not long before the break. This score remained as the teams headed down the tunnel.
Despite a less frantic second half in the early stages, Cam Lewis was at the back of a maul for his second try of the match. Deserving for the Drovers as they looked much improved in the second half. Ioan Hughes converted for a 26-15 lead for Llandovery, a ruthless showing from the pack this far for the home side.
The Gogs looked to reply but failed to put points on the board in a dangerous area. A knock on just short by replacement Pedr Jones, allowed the Drovers to a scrum penalty and exit well for now. Another heroic effort shortly after by Jamie Hughes assisted matters, getting over the ball to secure yet another penalty on their own line. After some choice words for the referee, Llandovery gained ten meters and finally got out of their own half.
As Llandovery couldn’t quite clear their lines as the ball went high, a scrappy aerial battle resulted in favour of Dafydd Thirsk for the visitors, who worked his way over the line. A tough kick from way out wide wasn’t successful by McBryde. A quarter final where every point matters shown, as Lee Rees pointed at the posts before Ioan Hughes slotted a penalty to lead 29-20 with the all important insurance points.
Just in front of the posts for McBryde, there was no doubt he wasn’t going to take points as he slotted a penalty of his own shortly after. With only five minutes to go, RGC required a converted try at 29-23. As RGC had the overlap outside they went wide, but a ball spilt loose out of Delwyn Jones’ hands and into Harri Doel’s and no one would stop him with open space in front of him. An amazing burst of speed from Doel crossed by the posts, allowing Ioan Hughes to convert and a lead now of 36-23 in the dying stages.
Lee Rees left the Church Bank field for one last time. The Llandovery legend got his send off with a win on his four hundredth appearance. As the clock went red, RGC battled till the end with Caio Parry, joint second in the try rankings, crossing for late consolation. McBryde in front of the posts converted, and Ben Connor blew for full time with the Drovers progressing with a 36-30 win at home.
A third trip to the capital for Llandovery this season awaits, as Cardiff were victorious against Carmarthen Quins earlier on in the day. This year’s league leaders won’t be an easy task, but a great result against an in-form RGC, puts the Drovers in good stead ahead of the trip. The other semi final consists of an all Gwent affair as Newport welcome Ebbw Vale.
Llandovery Starting XV (Coach – Euros Evans)
Jamie Hughes, Cameron Lewis, Berian Watkins, Harry Holden, Joe Powell, Dan Gemine, Tom Curry, Evan Sheldon, Lee Rees (C) – 400th, Ioan Hughes, Aaron Warren, Rhodri Jones, Adam Warren, Harri Doel, Jac Davies.
Replacements
Finn Thomas, Tom Phillips, Jac Pritchard, Kai Jones, Tiaan Sparrow, Kian Abraham, Jack Maynard, Lucca Setaro.
RGC Starting XV (Coach – Jon Callard)
Gareth Parry, Jac Petch Jones, Paddy Nelson, Billy McQueeney, Harper Chamberlain, Dafydd Thirsk, Charlie Probert, Sam Williams (CC), Connor Dever, Billy McBryde, Caio Parry, Delwyn Jones, Danny Cross (CC), Sam Jones, Dion Jones.
Replacements
Osian Burt, Jessie Williams, Pedr Jones, Will Kellett, Celt Ffransis Roberts, Morgan Dryhurst-Jones, Tudur Jones, Louis Williams.
Tries
Llandovery – Jamie Hughes x 2, Cam Lewis x 2.
RGC – Dion Jones, Delwyn Jones, Dafydd Thirsk, Caio Parry.
Conversions
Llandovery – Ioan Hughes x 4.
RGC – Billy McBryde x 2.
Penalties
Llandovery – Ioan Hughes x 1.
RGC – Billy McBryde x 2.