College’s comeback effort falls just short

ON a day that Llandovery College announced a new partnership with Cardiff Rugby, the home side went down to a 47-29 defeat to Cardiff & Vale College, writes Huw S Thomas.

A 29-point second-half fightback could do no more than give respectability to the scoreline.

This partnership with Cardiff signifies a historic moment in the college’s history as it becomes the only independent school in Wales partnered with all four professional sides.

But on the day, CAVC proved they are the favourites to retain the Welsh Schools and Colleges title with this bonus-point win against the side they beat 23-17 in last year’s final at the Principality Stadium.

They had the game won by half-time as tries from centre Ethan Rudij, outstanding No. 8 Lucas de la Rua, centre Elijah Evans and wings Dylan Lewis and Flynn Baker knocked the stuffing out of the Carmarthenshire school.

Not that the Lilywhites were without try-scoring opportunities, but poor distribution at key moments and an inability to release more favourably positioned team-mates cost them a couple of scores.

With CAVC fly-half Tom Hughes adding four conversions to make it 33-0, things looked bleak for Llandovery. And when, soon after the break, Hughes kicked another conversion to a try by lock Evan Saltman to make it 40-0, the home side looked to be heading for a real thrashing.

To their great credit, they shrugged off their first-half lethargy and brittle defence to hit back with a fine solo try from deep by full-back Iori Badham.

Confidence restored, defence shored up and ball-carriers in the shape of lock Will Evans making more headway, the Lilywhites looked a different team as they went on to score four more tries.

Passes stuck, support was swifter and surer and with the Cardiff side failing to match its high first-half tempo, Llandovery staged a courageous fightback

Wing Josh Jackson, replacement forward Yestyn Cook, wing Owen Griffith and replacement back Owain-harri Davies all finished off fluent moves, with skipper and fly-half Fraser Jones adding two conversions.

Left wing Lewis got one back for CAVC, who used all their replacements to end up deservedly clear winners after their outstanding first-half display of direct running and fine support work had proved unstoppable.