In a classic game of two halves, the Drovers scored 15 unanswered points in the opening 40 before the Whites came storming back into the contest with 13 points of their own without reply. That cut the gap to two points and set up a nervy final quarter.
“We are making a habit of letting teams back into games. It’s happened a couple of times this season,” said Llandovery outside half James Garland.
“Swansea came out fighting in the second half and we had to show a lot of guts and determination in defence to keep them out. It’s a condensed season and we’ve just got to keep on winning and hope some other results go our way.”
The visitors certainly made life difficult for themselves as they played 46 minutes of the game with only 14 men. Back row man Griff Evans followed home wing Curtis Davies to the sin-bin on the half-hour mark and picked up a second yellow four minutes after the re-start for a deliberate knock-on.
That action prevented a try for the Whites and got the home side on a roll. Penalties from James Davies and then Marc Popham cut the gap to two points and put the Drovers under extreme pressure.
Llandovery’s bright opening contained two tries from livewire hooker Jamie Cox – one from a driving line out and the other as he supported a neat break from Callum Williams. Kris Jones converted the later and garland landed a 25 metre drop goal to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
After that, though, it took them 46 minute to add to their total. Jones landed a long range penalty and then Garland kicked to the corner for replacement wing Ashley Evans to gather on the full and claim a try that Jones improved.
Swansea scored in the last play of the game when Hanno Dirksen went over for a try that he quickly converted, but it was too little, too late and the final whistle saw Swansea fall just short.
Llanelli host top of the table Newport on Sunday, while Bridgend will be hoping to pick up their first win of the season and try to move off the bottom when they head to Carmarthen Quins today. It has been a tough season for the Ravens, who have already lost twice to the Quins in the WRU Premiership Cup.
“There have been some really good improvements and positives to take out of recent performances and we’re looking forward to going to Carmarthen,” said Bridgend outside half and backs coach, Matthew Jones.
“We’ve played them twice already and we will definitely be targeting a win. It has been hard with a change of coach in the middle of the season.”
The former Wales and Ospreys No 10 believes Newport are the most complete team in the league and the side to beat. They will have the advantage of knowing what is going on behind them this weekend with a Sunday kick-off and all eyes will be on second place Cardiff’s home clash with Aberavon.
It will be the first time the two teams have clashed in two years and Cardiff head coach Steve Law can’t wait.
“A lot of people have been building up this game as they believe we should both be in the mix come the end of the season. Even though Aberavon have only played three league games this year their games in the Challenge Cup have shown how good a side they are,” said Law.
“We know how big a challenge it will be. We’ll go into the game with some consistency in our selection and looking to carry forward the form we showed in picking up a bonus-point against a much-improved Llanelli side.”
Pontypridd will have revenge on their minds when they host near neighbours Merthyr. The last time they met at The Wern in the WRU Premiership Cup the Ironmen won 61-32, although last weekend’s win at Llandovery will have given Justin Burnell’s side a considerable boost.
RGC host Ebbw Vale in the other game today with the Gogs looking to improve on their current standing in fourth. The Steelmen have won once in four games to date in the league.
