Llandovery 22 Llanelli 16

THE Fosters Challenge Cup game at Church Bank deservedly went the way of the Drovers by three tries to two.

It keeps alive their chance of topping the pool but they will need to not only beat Llanelli and Neath but also the Quins at Carmarthen Park in the final game on January 23.

The game against Llanelli on Wednesday evening game had been scheduled for Parc Y Scarlets but Llanelli had to forego home advantage and suffered the consequences of that money saving decision.

Both clubs see the competition as one where young talent can flag its promise and there was plenty on show to encourage the Scarlets hierarchy.

From a Llandovery point of view, the coaching trio of Euros Evans, Simon Davies and Gareth Potter will have been much encouraged by the displays of a number of players aspiring to a regular place on the 23 man first team squad sheet.

James Davies caught the eye in attack and defence both when at wing and later as fly half, and replacement scrum half Dan Brooks showed up well in the last quarter with his quick service and intelligent choices.

Props Berian Watkins, Bradley Davies and Scott Jenkins did good jobs in the tight and carried the ball well in defence whilst Dafydd Hughes confirmed that he is the front runner for a Wales U20 cap at hooker with his high octane work rate in the loose.

Lock Jake Baker had a real stormer with some charging runs, showing pace more usual for a flanker whilst back rowers Andy Green and Richie Rees were bundles of energy in defence and attack.

Llandovery also had top class performers in first team back regulars Lee Rees, Rhodri Davies, Rhodri Jones and Mike Evans and it was scrum half Davies who set the game alight early on with a brilliant solo effort from a scrum 40 metres out.

The Drovers had the better of things with the advantage of a strong wind and both full back Rees and wing Evans came near to stretching the home lead before a yellow card for fly half Steff Marshall proved costly.

A long cut-out pass from Llanelli fly half Billy McBryde put wing Matthew Owen in at the corner for a try converted by McBryde.

Llandovery responded immediately with a try by skipper Richie Rees, converted by Jamie Davies only for Llanelli No 8 Greg George to charge through for Llanelli’s second converted try and a 16-14 interval lead.

Llandovery came out fighting and the forwards drove over for a try credited to hooker Hughes, converted by Marshall.

The home side relished playing into the wind and dominated territory and possession to run out deserved winners for the third time against Llanelli this season.

Llandovery were due to welcome Llanelli back to Church Bank last night (Wednesday) in the Fosters Challenge Cup.