Second half tries from Jacob Cowley and Rhodri Davies helped the Drovers build an unassailable lead over fellow high-flyers Vale. It set-up a semi-final clash with Pontypridd this weekend.
The win was a virtual mirror-image of the 16-13 quarter-final triumph the Drovers notched at Ebbw Vale two seasons ago before they went down 29-27 to Cross Keys in the semi-finals. It also ended a miserable week for the Steelmen, who had lost 26-14 at Cross Keys in the Principality Premiership earlier in the week.
The West Wales side have been a model of consistency all season, epitomised by outside-half Jack Maynard, who led the way once again at Eugene Cross Park. Maynard kicked two early penalties to settle the visitors’ nerves.
Vale’s outside-half Iain Smerdon hit back with his own three-pointer in a tense opening period between two in-form teams. But the Drovers began to dominate after the restart and made the hosts pay for some sloppy defending.
Centre Cowley got a crucial try on 52 minutes to make it 11-3. And scrum-half Davies scampered over on the hour mark to extend Llandovery’s lead and leave the Steelmen with a mountain to climb.
Llandovery stuttered over the line though, with Wyn Jones shown a second yellow card by referee Gwyn Morris to reduce the Drovers to 14 men. Vale got a try late on when a powerful driving maul allowed the impressive Cam Regan to score in the corner, but it was too little too late and the Drovers march on to the semis.
The semi-final will give Llandovery the chance to avenge their 36-0 quarter-final drubbing at the hands of Pontypridd in last season’s quarter-finals as they attempt to emulate their great triumph at the Millennium Stadium in 2007 when they beat Cardiff 20-18.
SSE Swalec Cup semi-finals
(to be played on the weekend of 16 April)
Carmarthen Quins v Cross Keys
Pontypridd v Llandovery
