Llandovery U16s 31 Neath Athletic U16s 21

HAVING won the toss the Drovers chose to play away from the Clubhouse and into a strong breeze.

Neath Athletic started the stronger and their impressive outside half was the first to score, under the posts, after some strong forward play led to an overlap on the narrow side. The Drovers then started to force the play but unfortunately, through a home side error, the Neath centre scored the visitors’ second try, again under the sticks. The outside half converted both tries.

After 15 minutes the Llandovery boys were 0 – 14 down and it looked like being an uphill struggle for the remainder of the match.

But the Drovers now began to show their strengths. Their pack was looking very powerful in the set piece, pushing their opponents back constantly, and they began to dominate, with the front row of Daniel, Garan and Dyfrig leading the battle. The Raymond brothers in the second row were outstanding and good support was coming through from the back three of Rhodri Bullock and flankers Cai and Rhys Evans.

The lineouts were also going well, with Garan’s throws successfully finding Rhys in the middle of the line. It was a driving lineout five yards out from the Neath line which gave the Drovers their first score, with Garan controlling the ship at the back of the line and going over.

This score raised the Drovers’ confidence and they kept up the pressure, with their second try coming from centre Harri Thomas. The half time deficit of 10-14 looked a lot less daunting than earlier.

Taking advantage of the breeze now at their backs fly half Ryan Williams showed some excellent tactical kicking which got the young Drovers another five yard lineout, from which Garan touched down for his second try, which Williams converted.

The Drovers’ fourth try came after a long kick put the Neath full back under pressure. Centre Rhodri Davies made a crunching tackle and a superb pick up from Harri Thomas led to him going over for his second, again converted by Williams.

Neath Athletic had not been beaten for some two years and were not going to give up without some very effective play, but ill discipline led to a yellow card. The fast thinking Drovers took a quick penalty, and with the defence napping Rhodri Bullock went over for his well deserved try, capping his outstanding game in attack and defence. Williams was again successful, with his third conversion of the half.

Neath attacked from everywhere but the Drovers, making changes to play their whole squad, kept up a strong defence which Neath were unable to breach, and the Llandovery boys were well deserving of their 31 – 21 victory.