You have to go back to 4 October, 2014, for the last time Cardiff tasted success at Church Bank and the Drovers have won six and drawn one of the last eight meetings between the two teams. No wonder the Blue & Blacks skipper, Morgan Allen, isn’t taking anything for granted.
“We showed a bit of resilience against Merthyr and worked hard for each other and that’s certainly something we will need to take with us to Llandovery, which is a tough place to go. They are a bit more physical than they have been and it is going to be a tough old battle,” said Allen.
The Drovers are three games behind due to the wet weather this season and certainly haven’t given up on trying to catch-up the league leaders. Head coach Euros Evans is expecting a tight tussle, but still believes that after 10 straight wins the title is now Cardiff’s to lose.
“You’d have to say that Cardiff are the Premiership’s equivalent of Liverpool in the Premier League at the moment. They are so far ahead it is theirs to lose,” said Evans.
“We know we’ve got to reduce the gap to stand any chance of catching them and playing at home we will go into the game confident of testing them. We’ve got a good record at Church Bank and a good record against Cardiff.
“We’ve lost a few games to the weather already this season, and we’ve lost a couple of close games due to some inconsistency. We will have to be at our best this weekend, that’s for sure.
“There is a lot to admire about what Cardiff have done this season and Steve Law, their head coach, has created a good environment. They have a model that works for them and for the Blues and they have managed to fully integrate the professional players coming down, as well as developing some youngsters to promote into the regional team.”
The gap at the top of the table is currently 12 points, although second placed Carmarthen Quins have a game in hand. The Drovers are 25 points behind Cardiff, but have three games in hand.
The Quins head to Merthyr looking to make it seven wins in a row – and to inflict a seventh defeat of the season on the reigning champions. The Ironmen’s challenge has really fallen away this winter as they went in search of a fourth successive crown.
Aberavon will also be hoping to get back to winning ways after losing in their last four outings. Prior to that they had enjoyed a five match unbeaten run and with two home games in a row against the bottom two teams, Ebbw Vale and Bridgend, they won’t get a better chance to get back into the winning habit.
Bridgend will be the visitors to the Talbot Athletic Ground on Boxing Day, but this weekend they welcome Swansea to the Brewery Field for another must-win game. The boot of Owen Howe, who kicked six penalties, saw they sneak a win at Ebbw Vale last Saturday, and back-to-back wins would be the best Christmas gift they could five to their fans.
Llanelli have climbed steadily up the table on the back of five wins in a row and will be seeking to add Pontypridd to their away scalps in a much improved season. They have already triumphed at Ebbw Vale, Aberavon and Merthyr.
Indigo Group Premiership – Round 11
Aberavon v Ebbw Vale
Bridgend v Swansea
Llandovery v Cardiff
Merthyr v Carmarthen Quins
Pontypridd v Llanelli
