Drovers have it all to do (From South Wales Guardian)

Drovers have it all to do

7:00am Wednesday 25th April 2012 in Sport

FOR their last game of the season, Llandovery travel to Pontypridd tonight in an attempt to join Llanelli and Aberavon in the Principality Premiership play-offs.

The Drovers not only have to beat Pontypridd, who are themselves in contention for the play-offs, but also have to prevent them getting any kind of bonus point if they are to qualify.

Llandovery got a full house five points in the 38-6 win over Swansea last week, but Pontypridd, Llanelli and Aberavon did the same on Saturday to leave Llanelli on top with 89 points, Aberavon with 88 and Pontypridd on 87.

The Drovers are four points behind Ponty on 83 points so would climb level with the Valley Commandos on 87 if they could snatch a win.

But they must stop Ponty at all costs from getting a losing bonus point or a point for scoring four tries.

If they can do that, they will go through by winning 19 games as opposed to Ponty’s 18.

Coach Lyndon Lewis and Euros Evans were in positive mood at Monday night’s training session.

“Welook at it as a chance and a challenge to go to the toughest place in Wales to win (Sardis Road) and make history for the club,”

said Lewis.

“We lost 3-0 to Pontypridd in the Welsh Cup and if we can improve marginally on that performance we will give them a real game.

“The boys have been superb in doing the double this season over Aberavon, Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Bridgend and Carmarthen Quins, and we have to lift our game again.

“We are under no illusion how hard it is going to be in front of a big Ponty crowd at the House of Pain but everyone is in great heart and relishing the challenge. Win or lose, we will be giving it all we have got.”

The Drovers’ coaching panel are hoping that they will have hooker Emyr Phillips, centre Adam Warren, prop Peter Edward and lock Damian Welch back from duty with the Scarlets and that the mercurial Lee Rees has recovered from injury.

If a full side can reproduce some of the high quality rugby played in recording 18 wins in 25 outings, the Drovers may yet surprise one and all in a game that will be for many of them the most important of their young lives.

● A 53-seater supporters’ bus will be leaving the clubhouse for Pontypridd at 5pm tonight .

There are a few seats remaining – please contact Gina Deering on 01550 721110 or 07794 488231.