Swalec Division Three WC

Llandybie 14   New Dock Stars 24

Llandybie went into this match against a strong New Dock side with half their pack missing and it showed in the first half where Llandybie were pushed backwards at scrum time.

New Dock took the lead with a try by Ian Jones after 3 minutes from a driving maul converted by Jason Baxter. Dock went further ahead soon after with a penalty by Baxter and after 15 minutes, extended their lead with another penalty.

Llandybie scrum half Tom Griffith had a sound game despite having a difficult time behind a retreating scrum and they were further problems when they lost number 8,Merlyn McClelland with a head injury.

From the resulting scrum Dock scored a try by Dan Hatton to lead 18 – 0. Llandybie fought back and centre Aled Tomasson picked up from a good forward drive to dive over, also adding the conversion. Dock led 18 – 7 at half time.

Llandybie conceded another penalty soon after half time for coming in from the side, Baxter again adding the points.

Llandybie brought on Rhys Cann at hooker after Luke Yelland went off with a neck injury and Keenan Jones at prop. The effect was immediate with Llandybie holding their scrum and also pushing Dock backwards on their put in. With their scrum now going forward, Llandybie put in some good attacking moves with Dock defending desperately but with good handling skills from backs and forwards keeping the ball alive, fly half Richard Davies put in a good grubber kick for wing Ben Featherstone to touch down-Tomasson adding the extras from wide out.

New Dock put the ball wide but hooker Cann got across to make a good tackle. Mike Tench and Keri Davies were everywhere in the loose fighting for every ball. Keenan Jones and Dai Lloyd made some good carries and Layton Davies and James Tomasson competed well at line out time.

Llandybie’s right wing was penalised for not rolling away at a ruck and Baxter again kicked the goal to complete the scoring.

This was a setback for Llandybie who lost the game in the first half but will take a positive from the last thirty minutes where they more than held their own, despite the loss of some key players