A rampaging Cardiff side ruined the Ladies Day celebrations, securing six points in a vital hunt of a home semi final. Filled with big hits and fast paced rugby, a frantic affair wasn’t in favour of the Drovers this evening. Written by Cardiff Met sports media student Seán Richards.
A red card for George MacDonald and many injuries for Llandovery wasn’t an assisting matter, but Cardiff used this advantage well. Jamie Hughes’ favourite memory was winning at the Cardiff Arms Park against today’s visitors, but the blue and blacks took the spoils at Churchbank on his 200th appearance for the club.
The visitors opened the scoring with a great try from their own half. Some simple hands and blistering pace set up Osian Darwin-Lewis in the corner starting from almost 65 meters out. This left a tough conversion which was missed by Harri Wilde.
The opening eight minutes were end to end including a chance for Jack Maynard missing a penalty, who came into the starting fifteen on short notice for Ioan Hughes who pulled out during the warm but it was Cardiff who claimed first points.
Shortly after this, George Macdonald saw red for a tip tackle on Steffan Emanuel, which the Drovers fans were quick to disagree with. A passage of unfortunate events started with Stuart Worrall coming off injured and Sparrow too who replaced him suffering a head injury. A big sacrifice had to be made so Aaron Warren made way for Lee Rees came on at scrum half.
The fourteen men of Llandovery kept battling on in this physical affair, as Tomi Lewis crossed following a miraculous offload by Rhodri Jones to Doel who moved it on for a simple finish. No errors from the tee by Maynard as he crossed to give Llandovery a 7-5 lead.
Standing at first receiver, some brilliant hands again by Rhodri Jones allowed Adam Warren to cross. A build up of penalties and pressure saw yellow for Ben Fry after a repeat of offences in a danger area. Maynard converts to lead 14-10.
The blue and blacks weren’t long to bounce back as Osian Darwin-Lewis who returned from Wales U20’s, crossed for his second of the evening. A very similar try to his first on the other side saw him supporting Tom Bowen to catch and dive over again. An easier kick didn’t phase Harri Wilde, putting the scores 14-12 to the home side.
Some hot stepping for Dewi Cross allowed him to score after some electric footwork to weave his way over the line. So far, a frantic opening half at Churchbank came to an end as Wilde added the extras from wide, giving the visitors a five point lead 14-19 just before the break.
A first half full of miss fortune, franticness and feist wasn’t enough for a lead for the home side. As Ladies day brought the noise to Churchbank, a sting to the Drovers with MacDonald’s red card a key factor for the scoreline.
Fresh out of the Wales U20’s camp on spectacular form, Tom Bowen crossed for Cardiff’s fourth try under the posts. The halfback duo of Ethan Lloyd and Harri Wilde set up the initial
break and Bowen pounced on the offload. An easy conversion extended the lead to 14-26 from Wilde, giving a mountain to climb in the second half.
Tom Bowen went from hero to zero as he took Tomi Lewis out in the air facing ten minutes in the sin bin. Both fans cried appeals, but referee Rhys Jones showed him the yellow card.
Both teams started to get closer but it was Cardiff who crossed again through Joe Goodchild. Harri Wilde first set up the chance by regathering his kick, and a quick recycle allowed Joe Goodchild to cross with a huge dive placing with one hand in the corner.
Cardiff piled on the pressure as it only took a couple of minutes for Ben Fry to score again for the visitors. Looking extremely dangerous in the second half with the extra man proving to be vital as the Drovers got tired much quicker. An excellent conversion from Wilde further extended the lead to 14-38 an hour in.
Showing no signs of stopping were the visitors, replacement Aled Ward broke through to secure a seventh try for Cardiff with ease. Wilde converts the simple extras with the lead 14-45.
With only three games remaining, the chase for a home play-off will be a tougher task for the Drovers. It was another classic game of two halves, something seen frequently with Llandovery this season. The second half was largely influenced by Cardiff’s extra man, which allowed them to break down the Drovers.
Llandovery Starting XV ( Coach – Euros Evans )
Jamie Hughes ( 200th ) , Cameron Lewis, Berian Watkins, Dan Gemine, Joe Powell (C), Osian Davies, Stuart Worrall, Evan Sheldon, George Macdonald, Jack Maynard, Aaron Warren, Rhodri Jones, Adam Warren, Harri Doel, Tomi Lewis.
Replacements
Finn Thomas, Dino Dallavalle, Jac Pritchard, Harry Holden, Tiaan Sparrow, Kian Abraham, Sam Potter, Lee Rees.
Cardiff Starting XV ( Coach – Dan Fish )
Joe Cowell, Alun Rees, Tom Harper, Craig Hudd (C), Ethan Phillips, Ben Fry, Nathan Hudd, Lucas de la Rua, Ethan Lloyd, Harri Wilde, Dewi Cross, Steffan Emanuel, Osian Darwin-Lewis, Tom Bowen, Matty Young.
Replacements
Tom Howe, Ioan Emanuel, Will Davies-King, Aled Ward, Jason Harries, Joe Williams, Joe Goodchild, Rhys Cummings.
Tries
Llandovery – Tomi Lewis, Adam Warren
Cardiff – Osian Darwin-Lewis x 2, Dewi Cross, Tom Bowen, Joe Goodchild, Ben Fry, Aled Ward
Conversions
Llandovery – Jack Maynard x 2
Cardiff – Harri Wilde x 5
Yellow Cards
Cardiff – Ben Fry, Tom Bowen
Red Cards
Llandovery – George Macdonald