INDIGO PREMIERSHIP REVIEW
LLANDOVERY made sure of a home play-off semi-final in the Indigo Premiership with a 27-24 win at Aberavon.
The double-chasing Drovers, fresh from a third cup triumph last Sunday, only needed a point from their remaining three league matches to ensure they will be at Church Bank in the semis as they bid to retain their Premiership crown.
Left wing Aaron Warren, inside centre Rhodri Jones and lock Chris Long scored first half tries for the visitors at the Talbot Athletic Ground with captain and scrum-half Lee Rees making sure of the bonus point for Euros Evans’ men with a try in the second half. Jack Maynard kicked two conversions and a penalty.
Luke Davies, Rhodri Cole and Brad Roderick were the Wizards’ try scorers, all converted by James Davies who also sent over a penalty.
The result takes Llandovery on to 95 points, nine behind leaders Newport with two games in hand. With Newport having now finished their regular fixtures, the Drovers can still finish top which would also ensure a home final should they win their semi.
NEWPORT finished in style, racking up 13 tries in a crushing 89-24 defeat of Bridgend Ravens. The win also takes the Black and Ambers past 100 points in the league this season.
Newport scored seven tries in the first half, to lead 47-7 at the break, followed by a further six tries in the second.
Outside-half Matt O’Brien, twice, centres Joe Westwood and Chay Foster-Smith, wingers Iwan Prys Jones and Lloyd Lewis and scrum-half Che Hope all dotted down for Newport in the first 40 minutes. O’Brien added the extras to six of them.
Skipper Ben Roach then helped himself to a second-half hat-trick with lock Rynard Landman and back-rower Josh Reid also scoring tries with Lewis grabbing his second of the match to round off the try scoring.
O’Brien added another six conversions to finish with a 34-point haul of two tries and 12 conversions.
Wing Corum Nott scored twice on debut for Bridgend with Gabe Lacey and Edd Howley were also on the scoresheet to ensure they left with a bonus point. Jamin Hodgkins kicked two conversions.
EBBW Vale recovered from 24-15 down at half time to run out eventual 28-24 victors at Carmarthen Quins.
The Steelmen had earlier gone 12-0 up through tries from hooker Ieuan Morris and Hamish Anderson, who was making his first start on the wing. Outside-half Kieran Meek converted the latter’s try.
But Quins, looking to restore some pride after their mauling at Cardiff, hit back with two tries from full-back Rhodri Davies and one for outside centre Iestyn Gwillam. All three tries were converted by outside-half Charlie Titcombe who also kicked a penalty.
Ebbw replacement Owen Hatherill scored the only try of the second half, converted by Meek, with two further Meek penalties adding to one in the first half ensured the visitors left west Wales with the win.
THERE was late drama in Colwyn Bay where late tries from centre Ryan Wilkins and replacement Curtis Greenslade snatched a 29-27 win for Pontypridd at RGC.
Wilkins also scored in the first half for Pontypridd with flanker Sion Parry and right wing Liam Lloyd also on the scoresheet. Ben Burnell and Joe Scrivens kicked one conversion apiece.
Gareth Parry, Rhys Tuder and Afon Bagshaw got the RGC tries, all converted by Sam Earl-Jones – who also landed two penalties.
ELSEWHERE Swansea overcame Neath 33-25 in an entertaining clash at St Helen’s.
Harri Houston was at the double for the Whites who also had Rhys Jones, Matt Dodd and Owen Thomas among their scorers. Jones added four conversions.
Ryan Griffiths, Kieran Charles and Chris Morris went over for Neath. Kristian Jones kicked two conversions while Steff Williams added two penalties.