The two teams on their tail, reigning champions Cardiff and high-flying Merthyr, both bagged the extra point in their wins at Swansea and Llanelli respectively, and both have a game in hand over the Drovers. But head coach Euros Evans isn’t panicking about a home semi-final just yet.
“We’ e probably done just about enough to make the play-offs but we still want to earn a home draw. It is incredibly tight at the top, but there is still a lot of significant rugby to be played,” said Evans.
“Every game seems to be a cup final for us at the moment and I was pleased we became the first team to win at the Brewery Field this year against a Bridgend side that is very much improved from the first half of the season. A lot of the teams ni the top six still have to play against each other, s it is hard to predict how the final four will end up.
“There are plenty of permutations, although it was a shame we didn’t pick up the bonus-point because we were relatively comfortable in the game.”
With only three games left to play, Evans’ men face a real dog fight to claim a top two spot and a resulting home draw for the play-off semi-finals on 14 May. Included in those three games are tough away trips to Aberavon and Newport, who are both in the hunt for a top four finish.
Llandovery attacked from the start but the Ravens defence soaked up pressure well and it took two penalties from full back Jack Maynard against one from opposite number Ed Howley to establish a 6-3 lead on the half hour.
A galloping run from skipper Zac O’Driscoll put Bridgend into a strong position before a handling error in mid field stopped the momentum.
Maynard kicked his third penalty and in the key moment of the first half, the Llandovery backs ran some clever decoy moves to send centre Adam Warren in under the posts.
Maynard’s conversion made it 16-3 at the break in a game tighter than the scoreline suggested. Another Maynard goal stretched the lead but Bridgend were inches away from a try after a series of forward drives.
Adam Warren was a constant danger in midfield but it was replacement wing Macs Page who got the second try after some slick passing. The home forwards kept plugging away and wing Mike Powell finished well in the corner to make it 24-8 with 10 minutes to go.
The Drovers went in search of the bonus point and wing Aaron Warren went in under the posts but a fourth try proved elusive for the league leaders.
Scorers: Bridgend: Try: M Powell; Pen: E Howley. Llandovery: Tries: Adam Warren, M Page, Aaron Warren; Cons: J Maynard 2; Pens: J Maynard 4
