Cardiff 22 Llandovery 48 (From South Wales Guardian)

Cardiff 22 Llandovery 48

9:00am Wednesday 5th September 2012 in Sport

Principality Premiership

LLANDOVERY recorded their fourth consecutive Premiership win over Cardiff as they ran in six tries at the famous Arms Park, writes HuwS Thomas.

They were the only Premiership side on Saturday to claim a full house of five points, and sit at the top of the table.

The Drovers finished fourth in last year’s campaign but on this crisp and decisive form they look capable of an even higher finish.

They played adventurous rugby from the start and completely dominated the first half with a brand of fluid, open rugby thatwas a credit to coaches Lyndon Lewis and Euros Evans.

Producing 15-man rugby with forwards as comfortable as backs in ambition and execution, the Drovers swept the ball around the park. The back line entertained as an unit and individually with both dashing full back Lee Rees and wing Chris Knight showing energy, vision and pace in a five-star display.

Half backs Rhodri Williams and Cerith Rees opened the game out at will, centresAdamWarren and Jack Roberts were as sharp as knives in midfield and wing Sam Soul always threatened with his speed and bulk.

Lee Rees made two tries for the quick Knight – the first with a finely judged kick and the second with a perfect pass – and with prop Owen Evans, son of former Wales prop Ricky Evans, also crossing, Llandovery were 33-3 clear at half time.

Cardiff made a better fist of the second half and started with a welltaken try from flanker Reuben Tucker. But Llandovery, for whom former Blues lock Bryn Griffiths made a storming debut, soon had a bonus point in the bag when tireless skipper and flanker Phil Day crossed wide out. Fly half Cerith Rees went off after contributing 18 points with the boot before Lee Rees and number eight Richard Brooks added more tries despite the temporary absence of sin-binned lock Shaun Jones. Two tries in the last ten minutes from wing Matt Smith and Tucker exposed some Llandovery defensive frailties and gave Cardiff a modicum of consolation.

The Drovers travel to the Gnoll this Saturday in an attempt to record a first away win over Neath.

Their trip to Pontypridd, scheduled for Wednesday, September 19, has been switched to Friday, February 1.