A brace of tries from hooker and captain Daf Hughes guided Iestyn Thomas’ side to victory after full back Jack Evans had got the scoreboard moving with the first try of the day. Fly half James Davies had added a penalty to Evans’ first half score in a game the home side deserved to win.Â
The low-scoring encounter was due in part to a game played out in heavy conditions, with both sides understandably making plenty of mistakes. Newport were well in the game but when key prop Leon Brown was yellow carded in the second half, Llandovery took advantage.
When the game began in wet conditions, Llandovery opened the scoring with Evans diving over in the corner. Scrum half Harry Randall was the instigator, his quick tap penalty catching the Newport defence off guard. When the ball was spread left, the home side created an overlap out wide which Evans finished off with ease.
The conversion was missed but a 5-0 lead was a deserved reward for Llandovery’s start. As the first half progressed, there was plenty of endeavour from both sides though the conditions hindered free-flowing rugby.
It was Llandovery who had the better of the territory though and after winning a penalty close to the Newport line, they chose to kick to the corner. It was a decision which backfired when their forwards knocked the ball on over the line. But when Davies added a late penalty, his side led 8-0 at the break.
The second half saw Newport’s hopes of a comeback dashed when Brown saw yellow for being off his feet at a ruck. In his absence, Llandovery took advantage when Hughes crossed for his first try of the day. Davies’ conversion hit the post but they had certainly made the most of being a man up.Â
At 13-0 down, Newport needed a quick response and although they stopped Llandovery from adding to their advantage, they failed to score themselves. And when Hughes crossed for his second try late on, victory was Llandovery’s.
Watch highlights of Llandovery’s win on Rygby Pawb on S4C tonight at 11.10pm.
