Principality Premiership

Llandovery 30 Cross Keys 20

Llandovery opened their season in the Premiership in spectacular style, overcoming Cross Keys after a thrilling second half comeback at Chruch Bank, writes Huw S Thomas

With the new points scheme in place, they trailed 18-2 after just 15 minutes and 18-6 at half time but rallied in brilliant fashion after the break to deny Keys a consolation bonus point.

Llandovery fielded most of the squad that had won the Fosters National Sevens at Cardiff as well as former Scarlets skipper Rob McCusker in the back row, and it was their speed and sleight of hand that made the difference in the second half.

Coach Euros Evans was delighted with the start.

“You do not often give Cross Keys a 16-point start and end up denying them a bonus point” said Evans.

“We were rusty in the first half but once we got parity up front, we had the speed to open them up.”

“Our backs can be brilliant but fair play to the pack for coming back hard in the second half with the front row of Jamie Kaijaks, skipper Luke Lewis and Greg Cunniffe particularly outstanding.”

So too were lock Phil Day, McCusker and Richard Brooks in one of the finest comebacks at Church Bank for a decade.

Losing Keys Coach Greg Woods was not too pessimistic at the end of a very entertaining game and was sporting in defeat.

“To open the season away to Llandovery was a tricky challenge and despite a storming first half display we could not live with the tempo imposed by the Drovers in the second half.”

With the pack on top, lock Dan Hodge and fly half Ethan Davies crossed for the visitors in the first half, both converted by Davies who also added a penalty.

All the Drovers could muster was three penalties from outstanding debutant fly half Jack Maynard but it was a different matter in the second half with Llandovery gaining the possession that their quick backs demanded.

Two quick tries from No 8 Brooks and flanker Shaun Miles plus a Maynard conversion tied the scores before a Maynard penalty edged the home side ahead for the first time 22-20.

The wind was in home sails as the heavier Keys tired and a series of inventive and well supported attacks eventually ended with a try from centre Matthew Jacobs, converted from the touch line by Man of the Match Maynard.

Llandovery entertain Llanelli at Church Bank this Saturday (KO 2 30 pm)