Cardiff’s reaction to their first defeat of the campaign at Aberavon was to run in 12 tries in an 82-0 hammering of Carmarthen Quins in the only game to survive the big freeze. The Quins head to Church Bank to tackle Evans’ Llandovery side on Boxing Day and the Drovers’ head coach is expecting a massive reaction.
“It’s a local derby and we know they are going to raise their game. The result at Cardiff is just going to fire them up even more and make our task even harder,” said Evans.
“We’re expecting a major reaction from them for a game that means so much to both sides. We have to be prepared for anything and everything and we can’t afford to be complacent.”
While Cardiff are top of the pile, and Aberavon in second, Llandovery are still very much in the hunt for the league title. They are 10 points behind Cardiff in third and have two games in hand.
“A top four place is the first target, to get into the play-offs and then a top two place would give us the luxury of a home draw. But if we have aspirations of being up there we probably need to win on Boxing Day and take a bonus point,” added Evans.
“It is more of a traditional season this time around and I’m all for the concept of the play-offs. There are six or seven teams who could easily break into the top four and it is going to be a hugely competitive second half of the season.
“Newport are coming like a train after a poor start, Aberavon have recovered from their bad patch and RGC have really found some form. On their day, almost anybody can beat any team in the league.”
The Quins haven’t won since the first round and have been unlucky with injuries and retirements. Nic Reynolds and Ed Siggery both stepped down before the season started and Leon Randall has been injured for a while.
With no relegation this season – the league will go up to 14 teams for some inexplicable reason next season – there is no jeopardy, although new coach Marc Jones will be hoping his side can pick up after Christmas.
As for the Drovers, they picked up former Wales and Dragons centre Adam Warren in the summer and recently added Harri Doel to their back division. The Worcester Warriors player has returned to Church Bank after his club folded.
“Harri just wants to play some rugby and is hoping Worcester will return to the Championship in England next season. That’s where he sees his long-term future,” added Evans,
“If that doesn’t happen, he has got a 1st Class honours degree to fall back on and should be able to find some decent employment to run alongside playing back home in Llandovery. Given the likely exodus from the four Welsh regions in the summer, as well as from clubs over the bridge, there may not be a future for him at the full-time pro level in Wales.
“It really is a scary situation for young players.”
