The Drovers did it, but did it late. In the last ten minutes a try from Gryff Watkins was the winner following a very tough start. A five point win is what finished off the first block of the SRC Campaign. Written by Seán Richards, Llandovery RFC Media.
It was the home side who took the first points through Corum Nott who finished off the hard work done by scrum half Scott Whitlock. A penalty conceded and the scrum half went quick and a simple two on one put Nott over in the corner. Charlie Thomas was left with the conversion that went wide, but an early lead for the visitors.
The Drovers equalised shortly after with the returning Adam Warren crossing. An untouched finish as Lucca Settaro spotted the small space left on the blind. A very tough kick wasn’t converted by Sam Potter.
Scott Whitlock produced the first try and then got his own with the quick tap the cause again. A penalty in the middle of the field around the Drovers 22’ set up the fast ball before a phase later, the scrum half snuck over. Thomas was able to convert with ease to regain the lead that shortly furthered. A nightmare for Drovers would be the driving maul after Ebbw Vale’s three, came back to haunt them on Halloween as Luke Davies crossed on his two hundredth appearance for the Wizards. Another try scored out wide denied the conversion.
After a tough start, the Drovers grew back into the game and scored through Tomi Lewis. Bursting into the gap, there was still work to do but weaving his way through the reach was enough for the try. A vital score on the brink of half time and without the extras added it was 17-10 at the break.
An emphatic start by the home side who looked to play with urgency and quick ball, but the Drovers started growing back into the game before the break and the home side were only a score ahead. Starting slowly for both sides in the second half, it was Llandovery who crossed first through Aaron Warren. Aaron Warren with the easiest job to do, as a good half break came through Sam Potter who was supported well by Llien Morgan and Tomi Lewis who sent Aaron Warren over with ease. Sam Potter kicked the game level with half an hour to play.
Aberavon got very close on a fast counter and the ball back inside for Whittlock looked like he was over. The Drovers scrambled back with desperate defence denying almost a certain try. The next easy points also weren’t taken by the home side with Charlie Thomas’ penalty effort striking the post.
Sam Potter came off injured and the kicking duties were left to center Tom Hughes who filled in at fly half. Following a penalty, a pin point kick by Hughes put the Drovers less than ten meters short. Although the maul didn’t make it over, the backs took over and Gryff Watkins had enough space to burst into and score late on for the Drovers.
With the clock red and the bonus point win secured, Tom Hughes slotted a penalty for the full time whistle to come at 27-17 to the Drovers. Agonising for Aberavon who lost their losing bonus point following this. Controlling the second half much better, leaving the home side without any points in the second half. This caps off the first block as we head into the international break and sit in fourth.
Aberavon Starting XV (Coach: Chris Davies)
Tyler Murvai, Luke Davies (200th appearance), Conrad Delfosse, Lewis Marsh, James Clegg, Rhys Thomas (C), Zac Evans, Ashton Evans, Scott Whitlock, Charlie Thomas, Corum Nott, James Price, Frankie Jones, Sam Jardine, Morgan Williams
Replacements
Theo Malik, Saul Hurley, Dewi Brown, Shay Smallman, Evan Hill, Brandon Owens, Elis Horgan, George Thorrington.
Llandovery Starting XV (Coach: Euros Evans)
Tom Phillips, Finn Thomas, Llŷr Green, Harry Holden, Joe Powell (C), Kai Jones (SCA), Tiaan Sparrow (SCA), Dan Gemine, Lucca Setaro, Sam Potter, Aaron Warren, Adam Warren, Gryff Watkins (SCA), Llien Morgan, Tomi Lewis (SCA)
Replacements
Cam Lewis, Dino Dallavalle, Gwilym Powell, Morgan Jones, Griff Evans, Tom Curry, Tom Hughes, Josh Thomas
(SCA) – Denotes Scarlets allocated players. (OSP) – Denotes Ospreys allocated players.
Trys
Aberavon – Corum Nott, Scott Whitlock, Luke Davies.
Llandovery – Adam Warren, Tomi Lewis, Aaron Warren, Gryff Watkins.
Conversions
Aberavon – Charlie Thomas x1.
Llandovery – Sam Potter, Tom Hughes.
Penalties
Llandovery – Tom Hughes
Yellow Cards
Aberavon – Brandon Owens
Llandovery – Dino Dallavalle