Llandovery are now all but assured of a place in the Super Rygbi Cymru Cup final after a thrilling 50-35 triumph over Bridgend Ravens at Church Bank.
It maintained the Drovers’ 100 per cent winning record in Pool A and maximum points earned took them six clear of RGC with just one match to play.
Euros Evans’ men are also in pole position to secure home advantage for the final should they make it as expected – which will be held at the home of the side who finishes in the most points across the two pools.
“It was really important we got the win which puts us in a strong position now and it’s in our hands,” said head coach Evans.
“It was a good spectacle and in fairness to Bridgend they came to play as well so it was an entertaining game for the neutral.”
Llandovery flew out of the traps and were leading 26-0 with their first bonus point bagged after 25 minutes. Full-back Kian Abraham scored twice with prop Berian Watkins and centre Rhodri Jones also on the scoresheet. Ioan Hughes converted three of them.
Bridgend hit back with tries from centres Tommy Morgan and Ryan Wilkins, both improved by Edd Howley, to cut Llandovery’s lead to 26-14 by the break.
Further home tries from Hughes and George Macdonald along with a penalty and conversion from Hughes and one conversion from Jack Maynard stretched their lead to 43-14.
However, Bridgend hit back bravely, and another try for Wilkins and two for Corey Lewis, along with three conversions from Harvey Nash saw a 29-point deficit cut to just eight.
It set up a grandstand finale, but it was the Drovers – and wing Harri Doel – who had the last word. Maynard added the conversion to ensure they took the maximus six points on offer and made it 12 wins on the spin in all competitions.
“We started strongly again and managed to get a good lead and were in control for the majority of the game,” added Evans.
“Losing the extra bonus point was a major concern for us, so we were delighted we scored last play to get it back and good that the boys reacted in the way that they did to ensure we had the full six points.
“We’re playing some good stuff at the moment, and we just need to keep the momentum going.”
The other game in Pool A came at the Arms Park where Cardiff picked up their first win this season’s cup as they saw off Aberavon 31-24.
With the match delicately poised at 24-24 heading into the dying moments, it was settled with a try from replacement Fraser Jones, who collected Josh Thomas’ offload to score, with the latter also kicking the conversion.
Full-back Joe Goodchild a penalty try were Cardiff’s scorers in the first half, cancelled out by scrum-half Ellis Lewis, converted by Ed Dunford, and wing Corey Lewis-Jenkins as the sides went in level 12-12 at the break.
The lead continued to change hands in the second half with Aberavon twice back in front with Lewis grabbing his second and replacement Ellis Major also scoring a try, converted by Dunford.
But a try brace for hooker Alun Rees, the first converted by Thomas, and then Jones’ score in added time saw Cardiff home.
Llandovery head to Aberavon in their final pool match on 14 March with RGC at Bridgend the following day in their last game.
In Pool B, Swansea turned in an impressive second half display to win 39-17 at Carmarthen Quins. It marked the Whites’ maiden cup win and was also their first taste of victory on the road this season and just their third win overall.
Quins opened the scoring through full-back Eilir George but that was cancelled out by Jamie Cox’s try for Swansea. Both went unconverted with the sides level 5-5 at the break.
Scrum-half Matthew Aubrey, Cox again, wing Harri Houston and replacement Iwan Temblett all scored for the visitors in the second half. Phillips kicked four conversions and two penalties.
No 8 Lewys Millin, converted by Payne and Griff Williams, converted by Osian Jones, were the other Quins’ scorers.