Despite an early try, Newport answered back with three tries in a dominant opening period. With the first half frantic, Newport built a commanding lead before the second half saw an improved Drovers performance, with Llandovery controlling the game much better. Written by Seán Richards, Llandovery RFC Media.
What a start it was for the Drovers, crossing early through Dan Gemine. The field position came through the patience of Jac Davies, who allowed the ball to go dead. Following the scrum in the Black and Ambers’ 22, Dan Gemine crossed untouched after two phases for an easy try. Potter’s effort struck the post, but it was a good start just two minutes into the game.
Newport replied shortly after as some scrappy play allowed Oli Andrew to squeeze over in the corner. Following the maul being stopped by the Drovers, the backs finished it off, with Carwyn Penny adding the conversion from the touchline.
The Port didn’t show any signs of stopping as brilliant work from Brogan Leary set up Ethan Phillips in support. A good initial break and efforts from Drovers’ Jac Davies and Kian Abraham stopped him in his tracks, but Ethan Phillips picked up the offload and got over the line. Carwyn Penny made no mistake with the conversion to give the visitors a 14-5 lead early on.
Dafydd Buckland was the next to cross as he went over for Newport’s third try. The Drovers struck first, but the Black and Ambers fought back, with Buckland breaking cleanly from just outside the 22. A simple conversion from Penny extended the lead to 21-5.
After a quiet ten minutes in the game for a change, Newport crossed again. Some strong carrying from Hunter Ward, who found himself on the wing, allowed him to work his way through the Drovers defenders. A fourth try for Newport took the visitors’ tally to four, but Carwyn Penny couldn’t convert this attempt.
In similar fashion to the first, the forwards earned the right for Sam Potter to conduct play out wide, and it was Jac Davies who crossed. With an advantage in hand for the Drovers, another simple finish gave Sam Potter the chance to convert from close range and put the scores at 12-26.
Dafydd Buckland finished the half with his second try as he scored one of the easiest tries he will ever score. Kian Abraham held him up for almost long enough, but Newport, knowing they were short, recycled the ball to pop up for Buckland to dab it down with ease. With the conversion good from Carwyn Penny, the scores were 12-33 to the visitors at the break.
Despite the cries of a forward pass, Ben Whitehouse awarded the try, with Aaron Warren’s simple finish. Hunter Ward had seen yellow as the pressure mounted, and it was rewarded for the home side with a try. Sam Potter was inches away before a pass out wide, including several deflections, found Aaron Warren to finish it off. The extras were good by Potter to bring the Drovers within fourteen points ten minutes into the second half.
With the majority of the second half controlled by Llandovery, Newport battled on and eventually scored through Tiehi Chatham. Spending some time on the Drovers’ line, the defence finally gave in, with Chatham powering over. Will Ford took over the kicking duties but failed to add the extras.
Debutant Josh Thomas came on for the Drovers and grabbed himself a try by working his way over the line, earning a bonus point. This came just before Newport worked their way up the field to finish the game with a try from Brogan Leary. With the conversion unsuccessful, the full time score was 26-46 to the visitors.
A game where the Drovers had players ruled out and a full front row coming off through injury was certainly not helpful for the home side. A trip to the Brewery Field awaits the Drovers on Saturday.
Llandovery Starting XV (Coach: Euros Evans)
Jamie Hughes, Harry Thomas (SCA), Tom Pritchard, Morgan Jones, Joe Powell (C), Griff Evans, Tiaan Sparrow (SCA), Dan Gemine, Lucca Setaro, Sam Potter, Aaron Warren, Gryff Watkins (SCA), Corey Baldwin, Kian Abraham, Jac Davies (SCA).
Replacements
Cameron Lewis, Tom Phillips (SCA), Jac Pritchard (SCA), Ben Evans, Tom Curry, Tom Hughes, Jack Maynard, Josh Thomas.
Newport Starting XV (Coach: Tyrone Morris)
Ed Thompson, Wade Langley, Ollie Drake, Ethan Phillips, Callum Bradbury, Hunter Ward, Josh Reid, Ben Roach (C), Dafydd Buckland, Will Ford (DRA), Oli Andrew, Chay Foster-Smith, Brogan Leary (DRA), Sam Morgan (DRA), Carwyn Penny.
Replacements
Henry Palmer, Tom Workman, Nathan Davies (DRA), Tiehi Chatham (DRA), Joe Peard, Lucus Welch, Matt O’Brien, Joe Salter.
Tries
Llandovery: Dan Gemine, Jac Davies, Aaron Warren, Josh Thomas.
Newport: Oli Andrew, Ethan Phillips, Dafydd Buckland x2, Hunter Ward, Tiehi Chatham, Brogan Leary.
Conversions
Llandovery: Sam Potter x2, Jac Maynard x1.
Newport: Carwyn Penny x4.
Penalties
Newport: Will Ford x1.
Yellow Cards
Newport: Hunter Ward.