By Harry Corish
Llandovery fired another warning shot across the bows of the top two teams in the Indigo Premiership as they ran in four tries in a 29-0 West Wales derby win over Carmarthen Quins at Church Bank.
Beaten only once this season in a tight tussle at Cardiff, where they still emerged with a couple of points, they gave notice they will not be cast adrift by the table-topping Blue and Blacks and Aberavon.
Cardiff beat Pontypridd 39-13 at the Arms Park to stay nine points clear, while the Wizards triumphed 18-15 over Bridgend at the Brewery Field.
But with two games in hand on both teams ahead of them in the league, the Drovers did what their head coach Euros Evans had demanded of them by bagging a bonus point win over their local rivals.
Llandovery continued the pressure on both Cardiff and Aberavon at the top of the table with their eighth win in nine games, after completing a league double against local rivals Carmarthen Quins.
The Quins conceded 12 tries in their 82-0 defeat in their previous game and were beaten 40-3 in RGC to make it a miserable December and not a very Merry Christmas.
Final score Llandovery 29 Quins 0
— Carmarthen Quins RFC (@CarmQuinsRFC) December 26, 2022
Llandovery’s first try came through Kian Abraham. A Jack Maynard penalty extended the lead, before Adam Warren slid into the corner for the hosts’ second try of the afternoon.
Rhodri Jones continued the scoring, finding a free passage to the posts, while Carmarthen got little reward, despite creating a few close-range chances.
Drovers skipper, Jack Jones, crashed over the line for the team’s try bonus point, consigning Carmarthen to their 10th loss from their 11 Premiership games.
Cardiff completed the double over Pontypridd as they ran in five tries to notch another impressive win. They won 26-12 at Sardis Road on the opening day of the season and eased to a convincing 39-13 win in the capital.
Tries from Rhys Barratt and Arron Pinches gave the hosts the lead at half time, before two tries from the league’s top try scorer Dewi Cross and a try for Alun Rees further cemented the top spot for Cardiff.
Wales U20 outside half Ben Burnell, who has recently been let go by Cardiff and returned to Pontypridd, struggled to make a big impact as he added a single penalty, unable to help Pontypridd as they fell to their fifth consecutive loss in the league.
Newport were seeking their fifth win in a row to continue their march up the table to challenge for a play-off place, but it was Ebbw Vale who secured their fifth successive win by completing the double over the Black and Ambers, holding on to a 22-18 win against their local rivals.
Two quick tries from Morgan Richards and Carrick McDonough turned the game on its head midway into the second half, and a try late on from Dominic Franchi sealed the game, despite a late fightback from the visitors.
FT @Cardiff_RFC 39 @PontypriddRFC 13 #CAP #BlueAndBlacks @DebbieMorgan19 @LewisY1993 @EllisY1997 @SaamSamm_ @welshprempod #happy pic.twitter.com/ksRccN8BQn
— Mitchell (@mitchellyoung19) December 26, 2022
Will Reed and Evan Lloyd traded penalties in the first half, but the teams couldn’t be separated at the break. Two tries from last week’s Dragon’s debutant Ryan Woodman wasn’t enough for the Black and Ambers, as they fell to their first loss in five games.
A late try from Aberavon hooker Luke Davies was enough for the Wizards to keep hold of second place, following a tight 18-15 win against Bridgend.
There was nothing between the sides at the break, with Aled Thomas and Luke Price adding two penalties for each side.
The hosts looked to have the game under control following a flawless display of kicking from fly half Price, but a try apiece for Jay Baker and Davies in the second half was enough to down the Ravens.
Swansea capitalised on Jack Price’s sinbinning during a superb 10-minute period of attacking rugby to beat Llanelli 34-23 in a thrilling West Wales derby at St Helen’s.
Not the result we’d have wanted but thanks to everybody that came out to support us this afternoon! 💙
It was great to see so many join us for such a tightly fought derby with a great atmosphere. Congratulations, @AberavonRFC – best of luck for the rest of the season!
— Bridgend Ravens (@bridgendravens) December 26, 2022
Llanelli enjoyed the best of the early exchanges. A Josh Phillips penalty and an Eddie James interception try gave the visitors an early 8-0 lead.
The All-Whites hit back with two penalties courtesy of Cai Evans before Ben Watson and Rhodri Lewis traded tries to leave the score level at the break.
Phillips added another penalty for the visitors, but Price’s yellow card was to be a pivotal moment of the match.
Tries from Garin Lloyd, Iestyn Hopkins and Harri Deaves helped Swansea capitalise on their chance. Nathan Hart scored a late consolation try, but it was too little too late for the visitors.
