Cardiff 40 Llandovery 34.

AFTER a great run of eight cup and league wins including last week’s 34-24 win at Carmarthen, the Drovers went down to a narrow defeat, despite sharing ten tries with Cardiff at the Arms Park

writes Tom Hughes..

But the two bonus points confirmed second position in the Premiership and they will now have home advantage over Ebbw Vale in the semi-final play-off on May 8 with the prize for the winners a trip to Sardis Road for the final against Pontypridd.

Having already won the National 7s back in August, they now have the chance of a terrific Sevens, Cup and Premiership treble which would be an unprecedented achievement for a town of barely 2,000 souls.

Pontypridd will have something to say about that after losing to Llandovery in the semi final of the cup and at Sardis Road will be firm favourites to beat any club in the Premiership final.

These are heady days for the small Carmarthenshire club – founder members of the WRU back in 1881 – as they prepare for the two or three knockout games but their astute coach Euros Evans has his feet firmly on the ground.

"It’s a huge ask for a small squad to keep our momentum going." said the former first class hooker, "but we had to rest some players, it’s going to be tough but we have 25 or so players ready to give their all to the cause."

With only half the side that beat the Quins, Llandovery were not at their best and Cardiff took full advantage of unusually slack defence to build up a commanding 40-16 lead, helped by the sin binning of away flanker Shaun Miles.

Tries from centre and man of the match Richard Smith (2), prop Rhys Carre, lock Cam Dolan and replacement James Loxton - all converted by fly halves James Whittingham and replacement Callum Hall - trumped tries from ex-Cardiff full back Will Thomas and number eight Richard Rees plus two conversions by fly half James Davies.

With the appearance of seven replacements, Llandovery finally raised their game and unconverted tries from lock Jake Baker, replacement back row Richard Brooks and flanker Shaun Miles ensured a couple of bonus points.

Attention switches now to the Swalec Cup final in Cardiff this Sunday evening, kick off at 5.30pm.

Both the Quins who lost at Bridgend and the Drovers have rotated selection before announcing their final sides later this week.

Come what may, it will be a Tywi Valley club that will be Welsh Cup champions come Sunday evening.