Drovers shake off lethargy to gain their revenge

LLANDOVERY gained revenge for their earlyseason defeat at The Gnoll by winning this freescoring game by six tries to two.

The burden of playing nine games in 35 days looked to have taken its toll when the Drovers trailed 23-7 at one point, but lovely handling, running and support work gained a fine win.

Bottom club Neath belied their position by taking it to the Drovers and took that deserved 16-point lead thanks to a combination of scrum superiority, plus Llandovery ill discipline and suspect handling.

Neath got tries through prop Ryan Thomas and wing James Roberts, the second after a weaving run from wing Mike Evans, while full-back Ed Howley kicked 13 points.

Llandovery’s only score up to that point was a try by prop Jamie Hughes and a conversion from centre Jack Maynard, but they suddenly shrugged off their lethargy. Skipper and No.8 Richard Brooks grabbed a try and although Howley kept the Neath side of the scoreboard ticking over, his team could not cope with the invention of the Llandovery backs under will o’ the wisp scrum-half Lee Rees.

Tries from outstanding centre Rhodri Jones, wing Lee Williams and hooker Dafydd Hughes gave them the lead and the Neath bonus point was taken away from them with a late Jones try, Maynard ending up with five conversions out of six. Star man Rhodri Jones - Llandovery