RHODRI IS THE DROVERS HERO
LLANDOVERY .................... 27 ABERAVON ......................... 21
RHODRI Jones was the Llandovery hero as he crossed for the decisive score at the death to earn his side victory and top spot in the WRU Premiership Cup West table.
In a terrific battle for first place, the home side rallied from behind to complete the double over the Wizards and leapfrog them in the table as both banked home quarter-finals in the new year.
“When Aberavon scored with five minutes to go, we had to dig deep to find something,” said Llandovery head coach Euros Evans.
“We created one last shot and that try was a fitting end to a high-class game.
“We wanted to secure a home quarter-final and we’ve got that.
“Now we’re going to find out how good the top sides are in the east when the cup returns.
“We’ve got something to look forward to in the second half of the season and now the task is to reach the play-offs in the league campaign.
“We start at home against RGC and then have two tough away trips to Ebbw Vale and Carmarthen Quins.”
Aberavon were in control in the opening quarter, building up a 14-0 lead with tries from scrum-half Rhodri Cole and fly-half Joe Thomas. Full-back Chris Banfield converted them both.
Llandovery had hardly touched the ball in 20 minutes, but then a weaving run from full-back Will Thomas gave them some impetus. Now it was Aberavon’s turn to defend, and they were lucky when home fly-half Kris Jones failed to take a difficult pass near the goal-line.
The Drovers kept improving, and on the stroke of half-time relentless charges at the Aberavon line ended with centre Rhodri Jones sending wing Ashley Evans over wide out. Kris Jones converted to make it 14-7.
Three minutes into the second half the Drovers were level as scrum-half Lee Rees put in wing Aaron Warren.
Fly-half Jones again converted from the touchline.
Home tails were up and Jones kicked a penalty for the lead in an absorbing contest.
Another Jones penalty made it 2014 with 10 minutes to go.
In a tense finish, Aberavon replacement Jon Phillips touched down when he fielded a cross-kick right in the corner and Dan Edwards added the extras for the lead.
With time almost up, Llandovery attacked from a line-out for Rhodri Jones to slip through wide out, with namesake Kristian adding another
touchline finish.
LLANDOVERY Tries: A Evans, A Warren, R Jones. Cons: K Jones (3). Pens: K Jones (2).
ABERAVON Tries: R Cole, J Thomas, J Phillips. Cons: C Banfield (2), D Edwards.