Tom Rowlands
more images at:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=gwrfc+vs+llandovery+home&m=text
Glamorgan Wanderers 17

Llandovery 36

On a bright sunny afternoon the dye was set early. Both sides showed an endeavour with the ball in hand but there was only one side that was precise in its handling. When the Wanderers attacked poor passing or execution failed them and when Llandovery seized their chances they proved effective and direct. After 9 minutes an attack from the home side broke down and the Drovers pounced. Joe Ajuwa, who was a handful all afternoon, broke away and Adam Yelland was up in support to round off a fine try. Cerith Rees converted 0-7. The visitors had the majority of the play being patient in attack and defence. The Wanderers were getting ascendancy on the opposition scrum but after they failed to control their own scrum ball the backs were caught in possession and Rees landed a penalty to extend the lead to 0-10. It was already clear that it was going to be a long afternoon for the home side and when Ajuwa broke through two would-be tacklers to score a second try the writing was on the wall. Rees failed with the conversion but the Drovers had a comfortable 0-15 lead. The Wanderers responded and started to string some phases together forcing the visitors into some desperate defence and a series of penalty offences. At first, the home side declined points on offer but eventually a penalty in front of the posts gave Dan Fish a chance to open the scoring 3-15. Llandovery went straight back on the attack and as the half drew to a close the home side were back on the back-foot but there were no further scores. Half time 3-15.

Harry Trelawny

 
Crocked Courtnay says “I think I might go in and watch the Grand National build up”

The second half saw the first of a series of changes due to injury as Alex Luff was replaced by Gareth Knight but the pattern did not change. A promising Wanderers attack broke down with the Llandovery line beckoning and the visitors saw an opportunity. Breaking clear from their own line they outpaced the cover and Howard Thomas was on hand to round off another excellent try. Rees converted. Once again the home side attacked and Ben Rose went close. When he was hauled down just short the Drovers reacted quickly and broke again from their own 22. With no defence on hand Lloyd Phillips cantered away to score the bonus point try. Rees converted 3-29 and the game was lost. As more and more Wanderers went off injured desperation set in and caution was thrown to the wind. At last the home side supporters had something to cheer about as Gareth knight forced his way over for a try that Fish converted but it had little effect on the game. Dean Fitzgerald scored Llandovery’s fifth try as the Wanderers were forced to employ prop Danny Douthwaite in the second row as the subs bench ran dry. Harry Trelawny managed another consolation try for the home side before the end but by then the Drovers were happy to let time run down safe in the knowledge that they had earned a comprehensive victory.