Llangennech 7 Llandovery 57

In their opening friendly of the season, the Drovers were far too strong all round for the Division One West side, writes Huw S Thomas.

Coaches Euros Evans and Simon Davies will have learned little for the game such was the disparity in size, speed and control between the two sides.

They will however have been glad to see no hint of the ill discipline that so dogged the team last year and will have been pleased with the nine try haul.

Almost 30 players featured on the night and looked fit and hungry for the busy season that lies ahead.

Even more pleased at the end of the game were a band of veteran Llandovery supporters who had backed the Drovers to beat Llangennech by over 16 points.

One of the world’s leading online betting companies Bet 365 had unexpectedly -even incomprehensively - opened a market on the game offering an amazingly generous 10/11 against Llandovery covering the handicap and were reputed to have very heavily hit by a flood of winning bets.

The bet was never in doubt with the eventual margin of victory 50 points – 34 more points than the layers had forecast.

The writing was on the wall after just two minutes when ex-Narberth flanker Steve Worrall was driven over at the line out and the driving maul at the line out turned out to be a potent Llandovery weapon through the evening.

Further first half tries from the young duo of centre Rhodri Wall and wing Rhys Gealy plus conversions from ex-Bedwas fly half Jack Maynard made it 19-0.

And although Llangennech got an interception try through centre Ryan Newnes, converted by ex-Scarlets fly half Ceiron Thomas, a raft of Llandovery replacements upped the tempo in the second half.

Prominent was the new back row combination of Andy Green, Richard Rees and flanker Shaun Miles whose work rate and speed to the breakdown were the highlights of the second half.

All three were rewarded for their energy with a try apiece to add to efforts from full back Jacob Clement, centre Craig Woodall and the impressive Wall.

With fly half Steffan Marshall knocking over four conversions, it ended a highly satisfactory evening for players - and punters - alike.

The Drovers entertain National One side Cinderford at Church Bank this Saturday (KO 2 30) and the Forest of Dean outfit will offer a far more severe challenge to the Premiership side.