The Drovers are flying high at the top of the table and have enjoyed a brilliant start to the season. Lyndon Lewis’ side are unbeaten after eight games with six impressive victories and two draws. Convincing early season wins over Cardiff, Neath, Bridgend, Swansea, Newport and Llanelli saw the Drovers pick up maximum points from their first six games.
Their two most recent games have resulted in draws with a 32-32 thriller at Aberavon and in awful conditions, a 6-6 draw at home to fellow high flyers Bedwas, outside half Rhys Jones, elder brother of Keys’ Dorian kicking two penalties.
Since Keys’ defeat in the game at Carmarthen Quins almost two weeks ago, plenty has changed. Prop Marc Jones has announced the game at Carmarthen was his last for the club and he was joining Neath.
Then last Friday came the news that Mark Ring was joining Cardiff RFC as their new backs coach. Ring has played his part in turning around Keys’ fortunes over recent seasons but felt it was time to move on. Head coach Greg Woods has stated that a replacement will not be appointed straight away and the role will be left in the hands of coaches already at the club.
Saturday’s clash with the league leaders will be tough a test for an out of form Keys side.
They are fortunate to be able to call upon the services of Dragons’ fly-half Steffan Jones while his regional teammate, hooker Sam Parry, provides the cover on the bench with Gerwyn Price only just returning from a shoulder injury.
Cross Keys: 15 Gareth David 14 Kristian Baller 13 Leon Andrews 12 Aled James 11 Nathan Trowbridge 10 Steffan Jones 9 Ryan James, 1 Richard Cornock 2 Gerwyn Price 3 Anthony Lott 4 Danny Hodge 5 Tom Lampard 6 Rhys Peebles 7 Rob Nash (c) 8 Adam Powell.
Replacements: Sam Parry, Ollie Hodge, Craig Gould, Scott Matthews, Luke Williams, Dorian Jones, Rhys Dyer.
Llandovery: 15 Lee Philip Rees 14 Christopher Knight 13 Mathew Jacobs 12 Jack Roberts 11 Sam Soul 10 James Garland 9 Robert Walters, 1 Dorian Williams 2 Jonathan Lewis 3 Thomas Jones 4 Phillip Day 5 Bryn Griffiths 6 Shaun Miles 7 Lloyd Phillips 8 Luke Kendall.
Replacements: Gareth Howells, Owain Jones, Shaun Jones, Senio Aiono, Thomas Ball, Jake Randell Cerith Rees, Geraint Jones.
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