Drovers battle to B and I Cup triumph (From South Wales Guardian)

Drovers battle to B and I Cup triumph

12:00am Thursday 18th October 2012 in Sport

Unbeaten Llandovery had it far from their own way against a physical Nottingham side but came through to grab a win in their opening British and Irish Cup fixture, writes Huw S Thomas.

The English forwards were predictably big and abrasive and had the better of both tight and loose, but the Drovers defence stood up well, but it was the sharper and more direct Llandovery backs who proved the difference.

A chip-and-chase try from wing Chris Knight gave the Drovers an early lead before Nottingham replied with an easy penalty.

Llandovery went 15-3 ahead with a penalty from fly-half Cerith Rees after the sin binning of wing Jack Cobden and then a converted try from No 8 Luke Kendall.

When Drovers lock Shaun Jones was sin-binned for offside, Nottingham took advantage to power over wide out.

Luckily for Llandovery, Nottingham missed the conversion and two penalties before Rees extended the Drovers lead.

After the break, Nottingham added two penalties against one from Rees before centre Jack Roberts dummied through for a solo try, converted by Rees.

It was all Nottingham in the final 10 minutes and centre Cobden crossed for a converted try to make it 28-21.

The visitors piled on the pressure but Llandovery stood up to close examination to keep the Championship side out.

Llandovery managed to slow down Nottingham ball in vital areas cannot afford to give away so many penalties when they travel to Melrose for their second British and Irish Cup game at the weekend.