In an extraordinary game, the Drovers ended Newport’s four-match winning run with a performance of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde proportions, writes Huw S Thomas.

Seemingly down and out at half-time, after being completely outplayed by the SRC defending champions, they staged a glorious comeback to record their eighth win in 10 outings.

They stay second in the table, five points adrift of Ebbw Vale, who thumped Aberavon 45-24 at the Talbot Athletic Ground.

The whole world and his dog had ruled out a home win at half-time when Newport were in complete control at 19-3 up, but a three-try rally saw the Drovers edge home.

It would have been a thrilling watch for former players Gareth and Wyn Williams, in whose memory this G & W Memorial Trophy match was named.

In the first half, not once did the Drovers get into the opposing 22, second best in all phases of play and notably in the loose where Newport - in the image of their powerful back row of Australian import Hunter Ward, skipper Ben Roach and Josh Reid - ruled the roost.

A brace of close-range tries from hooker Wade Langley and a well-worked effort from wing Noah Morgan, plus two conversions from centre Harrison James against a lone penalty from full back Jack Maynard, barely reflected Newport dominance.

It would not have been injustice if the visitors had double the lead, so inept and passive were the Drovers, even with the advantage of a strong wind.

Yellow cards for No 8 Osian Davies for offside and flanker Evan Sheldon for a high tackle reduced the side to 13 men at one stage and induced visions of a cricket score.

“We looked cooked at half-time” said coach, Euros Evans. “But we responded – don’t ask me how - with one of our finest comebacks to beat a very strong Newport side.

“It’s a proud moment for all concerned and credit to the never-say-die attitude of the squad ”

The second half was a complete reversal of the first with the Llandovery forwards - magnificently led by lock Joe Powell - shaking off all their first half lethargy to take on the bigger Newport pack.

Powell led from the front, galloping in the loose, tackling hard and stealing Newport lineout possession three times as his team mounted their reply.

Scrum half and skipper Lee Rees took advantage of swifter ball and more space to launch the back division and the mysteriously revitalised pack found the energy and vim to build up patient close-range attacks,

Sheldon crashed through and with replacements in prop Josh Morse, flankers Jordan Evans and the returning Stuart Worrall prominent in the loose, the Drovers worked wing Kian Abraham over after a Morse carry and clever pass.

With two Maynard conversions Llandovery were back to 19-15 with 20 minutes to go and then took the lead after a long and careful build-up ended with Morse burrowing in.

It was all Llandovery now until the final minutes when Newport had last-gasp chances to dramatically snatch the spoils, pounding the home line in search of victory.

Replacement hooker Henry Palmer drove over the line in the last play, only to have the ball dislodged by a chop tackle by Evans and wrap round by fly half Ioan Hughes to save the day for the Drovers.

After three successive home games, Llandovery travel to take on Swansea this Saturday at Dunvant’s Broadacre whilst the St Helen’s ground is being redeveloped.

Llandovery: J Maynard; N Bennett, Adam Warren, R Jones, K Abraham; I Hughes, L Rees (capt); J Hughes, C Lewis, G Hawley, J Powell, H Holden, E Sheldon, O Davies, T Sparrow

Replacements: J Morse, F Thomas, B Watkins, S Worrall, J Evans, K Jones, G MacDonald, C Baldwin

Newport: M Williams; F Baker, C Foster-Smith, H James ,N Morgan; C Penny, D Buckland; H Fry, W Langley, G Harris, O Drake, J Skinner, C Smith, H Ward, J Reid, B Roach (capt) I

Replacements:  H Palmer, T Workman, O Drake, C Bradbury, K Rees, T Chatham, L Welch, T Hoppe.