It was the second time this season that Euros Evans’ driven Drovers had lowered the Cardiff colours at Church Bank and now they have a great shot at overtaking them at the top as the business end of the campaign comes into sharp focus.
“It was a big win for us, but we still have a long way to go,” admitted Drovers head coach Euros Evans.
They have seven games to play before the end of the regular league season, including doubles against both fourth placed Aberavon and Swansea. They also host bottom of the table Llanelli at Church Bank and travel to face Bridgend and Newport .
As for Cardiff, they have six games to go. Top four teams Aberavon and Merthyr have to travel to the Arms Park, along with Bridgend, while they have to travel to Swansea, Carmarthen Quins and Ebbw Vale.
“We weren’t good enough, simple as that. We could have scored a few more tries, but Llandovery thoroughly deserved their win,” admitted Cardiff head coach Steve Law.
“We’re being held together by sticking plaster at the moment and we picked up a few more injuries. We could be without James Beal, Tom Habberfield and Joe Goodchild next week.
“This is a difficult time of the year for us with our model. When it works, it works well, but it is hard for us at the moment.
“Llandovery were at full strength and played very well. We just need to stay int he top four, hopefully still get a home semi-final and take it from there.”
The Blue & Blacks had been forced to cling on to win 29-26 in their first league encounter with the Drovers at the Arms Park this season and then lost at Church Bank in a WRU Premiership Cup pool match. ive minutes but were this time outplayed and outthought by the irrepressible Drovers
The Drovers put in a first half performance of the highest order, the forwards disciplined and direct, the backs inventive, adventurous and clinical.
The line out which has been the Achilles heel of recent performances worked like clockwork with the return from injury of skipper and lock Jack Jones and with quick ball the home backs had the room to exploit Cardiff weaknesses.
Despite Cardiff taking an early 3-0 lead from a penalty by veteran fly half Dan Fish, the handling, passing and support work of the home side put them 27-6 clear at half time.
Tries from two outstanding centres in Rhodri Jones and Adam Warren and another from nimble footed No 8 Osian Davies plus a drop goal from fly half Ioan Hughes and nine points from the boot of full back Jack Maynard trumped a second penalty from Fish.
A yellow card for flanker Stuart Worrall halted Llandovery momentum, ex-Drover hooker Alun Rees scoring from close range but soon after Cardiff centre Arron Pinches was yellow carded, wing Harri Doel elegantly slipped his marker for the bonus point.
Despite another yellow for flanker Lloyd Pike, Llandovery went further ahead with a Maynard penalty and swarmed forward in search of another try.
Against the run of play replacement Harrison James got a very late and meaningless consolation try for the well beaten visitors.
Scorers: Llandovery: Tries: R Jones, O Davies, Adam Warren, H Doel; Cons: J Maynard 4; DG: I Hughes; Pens: J Maynard 2. Cardiff: Tries; A Rees, H James; Cons: D Fish 2; Pens: D Fish 2
