Euros Evans’s side twice went down to 14 men but astonishingly accumulated 17 points during those spells which ultimately proved decisive. The win means that Llandovery have kept their League and Cup double chances alive. The Drovers, who are also Fosters 7s champions, last won the Cup in their historic win over Cardiff in 2007.
Jack Maynard opened up the scoring for Llandovery with a long distance penalty before Craig Evans struck twice in quick succession to edge the Quins ahead.
Carmarthen played the better rugby in the first half but at times, it was a case of wrong person in the right place. With an overlap to the left, flanker Shaun Evans’ pass was wayward as hooker Brendan Clancy looked on helplessly.
And soon Llandovery were down to 14 men for the first time with Stuart Worrall sin-binned for deliberate offside.
The Quins couldn’t capitalise on the advantage as Maynard added another penalty for Llandovery. But Carmarthen immediately came knocking once more. Dale Ford found space out to the left and faced a four versus one opportunity, but the full-back decided to go alone and was soon wrapped up by three Green and Red defenders.
After the interval Llandovery made the perfect start despite Quins having the extra man. Will Thomas impressively collected the high ball and found Sam Soul whose inch perfect inside pass met Rhodri Davies who sprinted in by the posts.
Llandovery continued their push but a spirited Quins defence held firm. In the 56th minute Evans saw a penalty hit the uprights but his blushes were spared when Carmarthen drew level with a penalty try. Gavin Ford was sure to score in the corner until a tackle from Will Thomas put him into touch. The referee deemed the tackle illegal as Thomas was consequently sin-binned for the infringement.
But there was soon to be another dramatic twist. Down to 14 men for the second time, Llandovery responded minutes after the restart. Prop Wyn Jones crossed over after showing fierce power with Maynard spot on with the boot.
With 10 minutes to play Llandovery extended their advantage. Some slick passing and clever movement led to Matthew Jacobs teeing up Craig Woodall who had the simple task of touching down.
The Quins did score with three minutes to play after Dan Jones’ well-placed kick met the open arms of Iolo Evans who scored in the corner. The former skewed the rushed conversion to all but give Llandovery the Cup honours.
Man of the match, Jack Maynard relished the experience of claiming victory in the national stadium, he said: “It was definitely an experience for myself. It’s awesome to play in the stadium, I’ve been lucky to play here four times in the past and the atmosphere and the day is a really good experience in itself.
“I think we always back ourselves in the way we play. They dominated the first half but the squad we’ve got were just able to keep us in there and in the second half we came out and played the way we usually play.”
Maynard’s opposite number, Craig Evans rued missed opportunities in the first-half. He said: “It’s a tough one to take to be honest, especially losing twice in the Cup final to the same opposition! Today we blew two clear cut chances in the first half, possibly three in the end, but Llandovery took their chances so fair play to them. You have to take your chances, especially in finals, if you don’t take your chances you end up on the losing side.”
Evans, who kicked all 18 points for Cardiff in the 2007 Cup final against Llandovery added: “They were soft tries, we left holes and made it easy for them. It’s frustrating to be honest because that’s when we should be hammering it home. But these things happen in rugby, going down to 14 men does bring you closer and tighter and it can be easier. You can’t take nothing away from Llandovery they took their chances and won the cup for a second time.”
Scorers:
Carmathen Quins: Tries: Penalty Try, I Evans Pens: C Evans (2) Con: Evans
Llandovery: Tries: R Davies W Evans C Woodall Pens: J Maynard (2) Cons: J Maynard (2)
Carmarthen Quins: D Ford, L Williams, D Morgans, R Williams, G Thomas, C Evans, K Hardy; G Robinson, B Clancy, I Jones (c), J Helps, H Pugh, S Evans, W Boyde, L Taylor
Replacements: N Williams, R Elias, W Taylor, S Jones, E Lloyd, G George, D Jones, I Evans
Llandovery: W Thomas, S Soul, M Jacobs, R Jones, A Warren, J Maynard, R Davies; W Jones, L Lewis (c), G Cunniffe, B Griffiths, M Harbut, P Day, S Worrall, R Brooks
Replacements: B Watkins, D Howells, R Rees, S Miles, D Hughes, C Woodall, M Evans, L Rees
