Principality Premiership

Llandovery 24 Swansea 15

The Drovers maintained their Premiership challenge with a hard-earned win over bottom side Swansea but will consider themselves fortunate to claim a bonus point victory.

They outscored the All Whites by four tries to two largely because of the power of their driving line-outs but never showed their customary fluency and crispness behind the scrum.

Swansea were always willing to attack and came close to at least three tries after spirited attacks from deep.

A scintillating break from wing Rhys Williams was only foiled by full back Liam Gadd dropping the ball in sight of the try line.

Llandovery’s bonus point win keeps them in the top three two points behind Pontypridd and level with Carmarthen Quins who remain second because of having won more games than Llandovery.

As valiantly as they tried, poor Swansea now look almost certain to be relegated at the end of the season.

Llandovery went 5-0 up when big lock Bryn Griffiths finished off a forward surge but with the advantage of the wind the All Whites hit back with an excellent corner try by full back Gadd.

The conversion from fly half Cameron Clement gave them the lead but it soon disappeared when No 8 Richard Brooks crashed over at the end of a driven line out.

Serious injuries for both flanker Lloyd Phillips and centre Matthew Jacobs disrupted home momentum and Clement kicked a penalty to tie the scores at the interval.

Phillips suffered a dislocated shoulder and Jacobs a badly bruised ankle and both look to be out for the rest of the season

The All Whites kept playing with a confidence that belied their league position but Clement missed a close range penalty to give them the lead.

Wing Rhys Williams made his slashing break for Swansea but the next score went to the Drovers with replacement Lawrence Reynolds ending very good and swift handling for a try converted by fly half Ian Brooks.

Another Reynolds try from close range, converted by Brooks made it 24-10 but Swansea were game enough and Richard Williams grabbed a consolation after scooping up a finely judged diagonal kick from fellow wing Rhys Williams.

Swansea had no time left to claw the bonus point their efforts deserved and they face a huge task to stay in the Premierrship.

The Drovers entertain Bedwas in a league on Friday night (KO 7 15 pm) needing a win to stay in third place in the Premiership