Llandovery 39 Cross Keys 17 (From South Wales Guardian)

Llandovery 39 Cross Keys 17

11:00am Friday 15th March 2013 in Sport

Principality Premiership

THE Drovers saw off Cross Keys in style on Friday night with an outstanding five tries to two win over the tough men from Gwent, writes Huw S Thomas.

Victory was established by a great first half performance which blew Keys away in thrilling style with backs and forwards combining smoothly to fashion tries for centre Jack Roberts (two) and wing Sam Soul.

The win kept alive Llandovery’s dream of a play-off spot with six games left to play.

The Drovers have very important away games against rivals Carmarthen Quins (March 30) and Bedwas (April 27) as well as visits to Swansea and Bridgend.

They have just two home games left, against Aberavon and Neath.

On Friday’s performance they must have a very good chance of making the top three with the return of good ground conditions favouring their running approach.

Coach Lyndon Lewis was delighted to see his charges return to top form.

“Recent results when losses could have been wins made the boys determined to get back on track and this win against a side we have found difficult to beat in recent years will do our confidence the world of good,”

he said.

Friday saw the whole back division play with the élan and verve of early season as full back Chris Knight, Roberts and half backs Lee Rees and James Garland produced their best games of the season.

Roberts’ first try was a magnificent team effort before the pocket battleship sprinted clear of despairing tacklers.

Garland’s tactical kicking was top class and he put over a dozen points from kicks that were far from easy.

The pack too played with gusto to contain the fierce Keys forwards and take the game to them.

Soul’s second half try made by a run and beautifully judged kick from Rees brought the bonus point and although Keys rallied with a brace of tries, replacement Shaun Miles nipped through 12 minutes from time to secure the result.

Llandovery play Seven Sisters at Betws RFC tonight in the semi finals of the Brains SA Cup.