But the sign of a good team is to win when you’re not firing on all cylinders and the champions did that 17-15 – just as they had done against Pontypridd in their previous match a fortnight earlier.
Ebbw’s 25-17 triumph in the reverse fixture at Eugene Cross Park back in October remains the only blemish on Llandovery’s otherwise winning record in league and cup so far this season.
And, had outside half Evan Lloyd – normally so clinical from the kicking tee – taken either of the two penalty opportunities he was presented with in the last five minutes, it would have snatched a stunning win for the Steelmen and completed a dream double. But he was unable to do so and the Drovers held on, but only just.
“Conditions made it difficult and it was never going to be a big margin for either team, so just delighted to get over the line and it’s four important points for us,” said Llandovery head coach Evans.
“We were 14-3 up at half time, which was probably a few points short really given the strength of the wind. We got to 17-3 and looked comfortable and then they came back in and made it really difficult for us with two tries.
“They could have nicked it with a penalty late on but we managed to grind out the win which was pleasing.”
Lloyd kicked the visitors ahead but hooker Craig Thomas’ try, converted by full-back Jack Maynard, along with a first half penalty try, had the Drovers 14-3 to the good at half time.
Maynard extended that lead with a penalty after the re-start, but the Steelmen fought back in the second half. They were awarded a penalty try of their own before second row Dylan Bartlett went over.
Craig Thomas on the charge for Llandovery
Lloyd missed the conversion and with it the chance to level matters and then, agonisingly for Ebbw, he was unable to take advantage after Llandovery were twice penalised, handing Ebbw a shot for victory.
As it was Llandovery held on for another narrow home win and was their 10th league victory on the bounce since that defeat in October and a 14th win from 15 overall this season. Having started the weekend two points clear, Llandovery move five points clear of Ebbw with two games in hand.
“The performance was really pleasing and we had two kicks to win it in the last five minutes; it was a game we should have won, if I’m honest,” said Ebbw head coach Jason Strange.
There will be a third instalment though, with these two sides locking horns again on March 2nd at Aberavon in the semi-finals of the WRU Premiership Cup.
“One of the focusses of this week was definitely to make sure we got this result and go into the cup semi-final with one win each,” added Evans. “We now look forward to hopefully a dryer day and a nice track down at the Talbot Athletic Ground.”
And, given where the two clubs currently are in the table, a potential fourth meeting in the play-offs could yet prove to be a title showdown.
Scorers: Llandovery: Tries: C Thomas; Penalty try; Con: J Maynard; Pen: J Maynard. Ebbw Vale: Tries: Penalty try, D Bartlett; Pen: E Lloyd
