Refreshed Drovers edge an entertaining encounter

LLANDOVERY...................26 CARDIFF............................24

THE Drovers just had the better of the Blue and Blacks to record their second win in phase two of the Premiership.

Because of two postponements against RGC and Bargoed, Llandovery had not played league rugby since beating Aberavon in December, but the break looked as if it had done much good.

They came back from a 19-9 half time deficit to win a richly-entertaining game at Church Bank.

Cardiff were soon in the lead when centre Will Rees-Hole powered through a tackle for a try converted by fly-half Gareth Thompson.

Home fly-half Jack Maynard missed a fairly-straight 30 metre penalty before full-back Dan Fish increased the Cardiff lead with a try after centre Adam Jones had made the early running.

The Drovers responded well and Maynard deservedly reduced the leeway to 12-3 with a straight penalty on the half-hour.

When Cardiff loose head Fraser Young was yellow-carded in front of his own posts. Maynard nudged over the three points, but when Llandovery lost the ball near their own posts centre Jones crashed over for a converted try.

Another yellow card for Cardiff – to No.8 Rory Pitman – let Maynard kick his third penalty to leave it at 19-9 to the visitors at the break.

Skipper and No.8 Richard Brooks got a close-range try, converted by Maynard to bring the Drovers to within three points early in the second half.

Aaron Warren was all but over as the Drovers piled on the pressure and fellow wing Lee Williams put Llandovery ahead with a try, converted by Maynard, who soon added a penalty on 60 minutes.

The Drovers defended strongly until Rees-Hole burrowed over to bring his side to within two points with five minutes to go and give Cardiff two hard-earned losing bonus points.