Twelve tries – but Evans won’t be too happy

MERTHYR ........................... 48 LLANDOVERY .................... 40

THERE’S not much to dislike about an 88-point, 12-try thriller – unless you are Llandovery head coach Euros Evans.

It was Evans who ended up on the wrong side of the scoreline as his side were defeated at Merthyr.

His side ran out of steam in the end and saw a game they looked like rescuing at one stage finally get away from them.

The Drovers had beaten Merthyr 36-12 in the Premiership last month but this time had to accept being second best.

The surprise result throws Group D of the WRU Premiership Cup wide open. Cardiff beat Merthyr 50-15 in their opening game but Llandovery will have home advantage against the Blue and Blacks in the showdown at Church Bank on December 3 when a home win could mean a three-way tie with calculators ready to decide who goes through to the knockout stages.

In a helter-skelter first half of 47 points, the lead changed hands constantly as the hosts led 24-23.

Tries from centre Dafydd Thomas and wing Sam Jones – allied to a penalty try – were responded to by efforts from centre Adam Warren (2) and scrum-half Lee Rees.

After the break the tries came thick and fast. Merthyr went 4523 ahead thanks to touchdowns from full-back Ben Jones, hooker Dan Wall and wing Jarrod Cushion.

The Drovers, who had made some uncharacteristic mistakes in defence, responded bravely with tries for prop Jamie Hughes, full-back Kian Abraham and lock Joe Powell to come back to within five points.

A penalty by home fly-half Gareth Thompson made it 48-40 and Llandovery’s goose was cooked when replacements Callum Dodd and Dafydd Land were yellow-carded in a frantic finale.

Llandovery return to Premiership action on Saturday when they travel to Cardiff. Both sides go into the game with identical records – five wins from as many matches and with 22 points to their names.

They are eight points behind leaders Aberavon.

MERTHYR  Tries: D Thomas, pen try, S Jones, B Jones, D Wall, J Cushion. Cons: G Thompson (5). Pen: G Thompson (2).

LLANDOVERY  Tries: Adam Warren (2), L Rees, J Hughes, K Abraham, J Powell. Cons: K Jones, J Maynard. Pens: K Jones (2).