Llandovery 22 Neath 10

Llandovery got a much needed win in beating The All Blacks for a record sixth consecutive time in the Premiership, writes Huw S Thomas.

The Drovers move up to 27 league points in the table and nine clear of bottom side Newport

The hosts were deserved winners as they tried to play all the rugby against a Neath side that was one dimensional in driving on through their muscular but predictable forwards.

Coach Lyndon Lewis was also delighted with the quality of his side’s defence which stood up to huge battering in the second half after referee Jones had sinbinned three Drovers in lock Bryn Griffiths, hooker Luke Lewis and prop Jamie Kaijaks.

“We got away with it through some magnificent last ditch tackling whether we were at 13, 14 or 15 men in that second half “ said Lewis.

“I have never seen so many try-saving tackles on or near the goal line and it was a credit to the team spirit that exists among the group.”

The Kaijaks sinbinning very late on when Neath were on the attack and which resulted in passive scrums - given that Llandovery had no fit props left – proved controversial.

Neath coach Patrick Horgan vented his anger.

“My understanding is from a Premiership clubs meeting at the start of the year that the side reduced to uncontested scrums must then take off a player.” said Horgan.

“I remonstrated with the referee but nothing happened and the chance of getting a bonus point evaporated.”

“We need urgent clarification on what is the law on uncontested scrums”

That said Llandovery were always the more dangerous with ball in hand and were always the readier to open up.

With more steadiness and unselfishness in the first half they would have been well clear at half time instead of being just 16-10 up.

Full back Richard Williams spoiled the best chance when he unsuccessfully dummied the full back with wing Aaron Warren unmarked outside him five metres from the Neath line.

A Warren try after fine work from James Garland plus 11 points from the boot of the fly half against a try, conversion and penalty from scrum half Rhodri Cole was not a true reflection of home ascendancy.

In the second half the Neath pack had opportunities galore when Llandovery were depleted but for all their hard driving in the loose they could not unlock a defence in which No 8 Richard Brooks and centre Rhodri Jones were particularly outstanding.

Two more penalties from Garland, which took him to a 17-point tally, guaranteed the fifth Llandovery win in 13 games.