By David Williams
Llandovery did everything they needed to do to hold onto the top spot in the Indigo Premiership as they beat Swansea 52-24 and with two games to go they at least now know they’ve done enough to secure a top four place.
The next target has to be to keep on winning and to claim a top two finish to ensure they have a home tie in the semi-finals. They face a trip to fifth placed Aberavon on Saturday and still have to go to another top four contender, Newport.
This was Llandovery’s 24th consecutive league and cup win over Swansea, a record that dates back to August 2010 when the All Whites won 37-16 at Church Bank.
For Swansea 13 years of pain continued but even with a number of young Ospreys, they found life difficult throughout against the Premiership leaders.
Another great day @llandoveryrfc today with a convincing win v @SwanseaRFC , but also a lot of fun with #ladiesday too – this is what Club rugby is all about. Images are here https://t.co/Cc4ISTyS7s Please RT pic.twitter.com/UXZXyWRfLI
— Riley Sports (@RileySports) April 8, 2023
The Drovers were irrepressible throughout under the leadership of lock and skipper Jack Jones and the non-stop prompting of ebullient scrum half Lee Rees.
They also had the Premiership’s leading scorer in full back Jack Maynard in fine form scoring a try, penalty and six conversions for a personal tally of 20 points. The home side had the game sewn up by half time with their crisp handling and outstanding support play creating gaps all over the park.
Tries from wing Callum Dodd, centre Rhodri Jones, a penalty try and one from Maynard plus a penalty had them 31-5 up, Swansea’s sole answer an opportunist try from centre James Davies.
🚨FULL-TIME🚨
The Drovers of Old Llandovery Town 52 v @SwanseaRFC 24
Smiles all round at the final whistle – great atmosphere at the club with Ladies Day 💃 in full flow.
Pob lwc Abertawe am gweddill y tymor.We go again next week!
Un Clwb, Un Dre, Un Cymuned!
🔴⚪🟢@Ioan_Dyer pic.twitter.com/A929oaYXPX— Clwb Rygbi Llanymddyfri (@llandoveryrfc) April 8, 2023
Three yellow cards did Swansea no favours as fly half Ioan Hughes, all action prop Jamie Hughes and Jack Jones went over but Swansea never gave up.
With Llandovery throwing on all their replacements, the All Whites crossed through replacements Harvey Nash and Kieran Charles to add to an earlier try from Wales U20 centre Tom Florence.
Scorers: Llandovery: Tries: C Dodd, R Jones, pen try, J Maynard, I Hughes, J Hughes, J Jones; Cons: J Maynard 6; Pen: J Maynard. Swansea: Tries: J Davies, T Florence, H Nash, K Charles; Cons: J Davies, D Edwards
MATCH REPORT | Get the lowdown on the afternoon here ➡️ https://t.co/UxkJJu3L7Y
✍🏼 – @paulhopkins1983
📸 – @RileySports pic.twitter.com/r2VKRsD0WD— Swansea Rugby Club (@SwanseaRFC) April 8, 2023