Super Rygbi Cymru champions Llandovery followed Wednesday’s 87-0 demolition of Llandybie with a comfortable seven tries to one win over Championship side Narberth writes Huw S Thomas (printed with the kind permission of the Brecon and Radnor Express).
With friendlies all over Wales cancelled because of the rock hard pitches, both teams profited from a valuable pre-season run out on Llandovery’s velvety 3G pitch.
It was a very good work out for the Drovers as some of their uncharacteristic sloppy play forced them to defend hard against Narberth attacks.
“As it turns out, it was what we needed as some of our errors gave Narberth plenty of ball to put us under pressure “said coach Euros Evans.
“We restricted them to just the one try early on and that effort was just as satisfying as scoring seven tries “
“It sets us up nicely for a challenging visit to Merthyr for our last friendly before the SRC season kicks off at Pontypool.”
The home backs had that bit of extra pace that divides SRC and Championship sides, exemplified by the way full back Kian Abraham and wing Llien Morgan strode away for their tries.
But full credit to the Otters who were half a dozen regulars short – including captain Tom Powell, brother of Llandovery skipper Joe – as they scrapped and fought hard for every ball but Llandovery weight up front and speed behind were decisive.
Outstanding up front for the Drovers were lock Morgan Jones – back from a spell with Doncaster Knights – No 8 Joe Powell, flankers Tom Curry and Kai Jones along with back to fitness prop Dino Dallavalle.
Behind the scrum, new recruit from Merthyr centre Tom Hughes, wing Ned Bennett – fresh from his hat trick against Llandybie – and Abraham showed flashes in attack but handling errors and poor choice making in general cost at least a couple of tries.
Kai Jones – son of ex-Drover prop Ceirian Jones – got a fifth minute try from close range but Narberth, now enjoying their best spell of the game, replied when No 8 Jesse James launched himself off the back of the scrum.
By half time, Llandovery were up to 26-7 and well in control.
A Dallavale surge down the middle, supported by Morgan Jones sent centre Gryff Watkins in, Dallavalle himself crashed over from close range and Llien Morgan sprinted home after a clever Griffiths offload.
Abraham intercepted for his try, then ran 60 metres before slipping the ball to supporting fly half Sam Potter but the Pembrokeshire boys continued to give it their all.
Both scrum half Josh Thomas and replacement fly half Ashley Sutton came close to scoring but a Morgan side step rounded off a predictable victory for the SRC champions.
Llandovery
Tries: L Morgan (2), K Jones, G Watkins, D Dallavalle, K Abraham, S Potter
Cons: S Potter (6)
Narberth
Try: J James,
Con: R Phillips