LOCAL RUGBY ROUNDUP

JON Phillips scored the vital try to put the Wizards back in front near the death and Aled Thomas’ nerveless touchline conversion proved to be the final nail in the Drovers’ cup coffin.

Three times in the match the visitors led, included twice after the break as Jack Maynard dropped a goal and then kicked a penalty to edge them nearer to what would have been a fourth successive Specsavers National Cup semi-final.

It took Llandovery a mere six minutes to stamp their mark on proceedings when they worked an opportunity for Wales Sevens and U20 wing Tomi Lewis to show off his finishing skills and cross for a try that Maynard converted.

Aberavon were quick to reply with an equalising try five minutes later from livewire hooker Ieuan Davies and they built on that success to edge in front 14-7 when Aled Thomas added a second conversion to another home try by scrum half Rhodri Cole.

Drovers’ full back Gavin Thomas levelled things up in the 25th minute with a try that Maynard again improved and it remained 14-14 at the break.

There was all to play for in the second half, especially as Aberavon were pushing to reach the last four for the first time since 2014.

While Llandovery’s home ground at Church Bank has been a graveyard for Aberavon hopes in recent years, the Drovers had lost on five of their previous six visits to the Talbot Athletic Ground.

Maynard’s drop goal seven minutes after the re-start pushed his side back in front, but Cole’s second try of a highly competitive cup tie then made in 19-17 to the Wizards just on the hour mark.

The nerves began to twitch in both camps and when Aberavon coughed up a penalty four minutes from the end of normal time, Maynard’s boot pushed Llandovery past their hosts for a third time.

There was no panic in the ranks of the Aberavon players or management and they used their powerful pack to move forward.

They won the ball that allowed the back line to spread the ball wide to Phillips, who finished with a flourish in the 79th minute.

That regained the lead again for the Wizards and Thomas’ conversion was the final seal on a deserved victory that kept them on course for their first piece of silverware since winning the National League Division One title way back in the 2002 season.

ABERAVON: Tries: R Cole (2), I Davies, J Phillips; Cons: A Thomas (3).

LLANDOVERY: Tries: T Lewis, G Thomas; Cons: J Maynard (2); Pen: J Maynard; DG J Maynard

BARGOED moved to within six points of Specsavers National Championship leaders Pontypool after running in seven tries to record a 45-5 bonuspoint triumph at second bottom Tata Steel.

Darren Humphries dotted down twice with Jordan Purcell, James Leadbeater, Callum Jones, Geraint Edmunds and Steffan Jones their other scorers – while the latter added five conversions.

Meanwhile with four sides set to drop out of the Championship at the end of the season, fifth from bottom Cross Keys now have a nine-point cushion on the relegation zone.

That is after the Gwent men won 24-0 at Glamorgan Wanderers – their fifth win from the last seven.

Loui O’Brien converted Joe Thomas’ first half try and also kicked a penalty to steer Keys into a 10-0 interval lead.

Further tries followed after the break from skipper Scott Andrews and Connah Vaughan, both converted by O’Brien, to seal another crucial win and also inflict a sixth defeat in seven on the Wanderers.

That win edges Keys four points further clear of Beddau, who slipped to a 24-7 loss at Maesteg Quins.

Beddau had won the reverse fixture 27-12 back in October but Quins got their revenge thanks to Lee Ronan, Adam Hiller-Rees and two tries from skipper Steve Williams.

Geraint Evans added two conversions.

Sam Edwards went over in the first for Beddau, converted by Morgan Price, but it could not save them from a fifth successive league defeat.

Trebanos, in 12th, are two points further back and now 11 from safety after going down 24-10 at in-form Ystrad Rhondda.

First half tries from Rhys Truelove, which he also converted, and Jarrad Llewellyn gave Ystrad a 12-3 half time lead.

Ryan Howells and Sion Summers than crashed over in the second half with Truelove adding another conversion to secure a fifth straight victory and also avenge their 24-16 defeat by Trebanos back in October.

A second half penalty try added to a Jack Evans penalty in the first for Trebanos.

Bottom club Ystalyfera were beaten 33-19 by Cardiff Met.