Bridgend 13 Llandovery 48

THE Drovers got back into Premiership action on Sat - urday with a resounding sev - en-tries-to-one win over the Ravens at the Brewery Field, writes Huw S Thomas .

A stunning second-half performance in which they racked up 33 points to the opposition’s nil moves them from eighth to fifth in the league table, leap-frogging Cross Keys, Llanelli and Bed - wasand sets them up for this Friday’s game against the defending champions Pon - typridd at Church Bank.

Not having played since los - ing to Cardiff on October 4, Llandovery looked rusty in the first half. Their handling was hasty, their tackling fragile, option-taking dubi - ous and their line-out failed to claim any decent ball.

Rising above the general level, Lee Rees buzzed away at the base of the scrum, lock Matthew Harbut battled hard in the loose and both prop Wyn Jones and hooker Taylor Davies carried the ball with vim and vigour.

An early Jones try and one from wing Richard Williams after a clever kick from fly half James Garland, plus five points from the boot of Garland, had trumped a try from wing Mike Powell and eight points from the boot of skipper James Dixon for Bridgend to make the score at the interval 15-13.

But whatever coach Lyn - don Lewis said to his players at the break had a wonderful effect. The Drovers’ handling and passing were now fluent, their ball retention and sup - port work of a new quality.

Wing Aaron Warren ran elusively, Davies and the for - wards supported swiftly and the three-quarters linked flu - ently – putting in wing Wil - liams for his second try.

When full back Rhys Wil - liams ran in a brilliant solo try from his own 22 to claim the bonus point it signalled all-out attack.

Centre Matthew Jacobs, skipper and flanker Phil Day and replacement No 8 Law - rence Reynolds all crossed at the end of some flowing attacks against a tiring Brid - gend who had replacement lock Andrew Waite and No 8 Scott Hicks yellow-carded