Llandovery College 24 Millfield School 17
AFTER recent heavy defeats in the Welsh Colleges League, Llandovery College regained form with a fine win over Millfield writes Huw S Thomas.
It was only the second Llandovery win in 11 years against arguably the most consistent school on the British rugby circuit.
This year, the famous Somerset rugby school – alma mater of England captain Chris Robshaw and the legendary Gareth Edwards - had lost very narrowly to Wellington College, Sedbergh and Bromsgrove but came to Wales full of confidence.
But they were rattled by the huge commitment of the Lilywhites who were back to virtually full strength after recent disappointments.
In a very tight game that could have gone either way as play flowed back and fore, it was a close range try two minutes from time by stand in skipper Carwyn Harries that eventually separated the two sides.
For Llandovery there were first half tries to dashing wing Cameron Petrie and No 8 Ianto Jones, then Petrie got his second to put College 17-10 ahead before Millfield pulled it back to 17-17.
In a tense final period, the English school looked for the killer punch but the Lilywhites in the image of outstanding flanker Cai Devine defended for their lives.
And when a series of pick and goes gave them a sniff of a win, it was loose head prop Harries who latched on to a pass to drive over for the conclusive score, fly half Ewan Starling adding his second conversion of the day.