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Llanelli District RU, Castell Howell Foods sponsored Plate Final

Parc y Scarlets, Saturday 18th May 2019

There was a mountain to climb today as the Druids returned to the home of the Scarlets for another final, this time in the Plate. Veteran Red & Blacks skipper 'Diamond' Dave Evans led his boys onto the hallowed turf to face an impressive Llandovery 2nd XV. Just five weeks ago the Drovers had put 71 points passed the Druids in a league encounter at Athletic Park, so the magnitude of the task facing them was monumental.

After just five minutes the Druids fell behind to a Llandovery penalty and found getting their hands on quality possession difficult. The next fifteen minutes proved pivotal in the match as the Drovers scored two tries (one converted) to stretch their lead to 15 nil. Gradually, the Druids started to put phases of play together as a result of strong scrummaging which regularly pushed back the Llandovery eight. The final ten minutes of the half saw constant pressure in the Drovers 22, and after two glorious try scoring opportunities were not executed, Druids were finally rewarded with a tremendous try by Jamie Williams who crashed over the line. Captain Dave Evans added the conversion to make the interval score 15 - 7.

The second period started brightly, after successfully defending their line Druids broke out with some strong carrying by James Newnian, Gareth Bennett, Jamie Williams & Barry John. The scrummage was still going well and Druids line outs had improved instigating more frequent attacking threats. Druids were now in the ascendancy and were justly rewarded with a second try. Centre Barry John had been in tremendous form all match and was rewarded as he crashed through a packed defence to touch down near the uprights. Evans once again added the extras. Llandovery's lead was now reduced to just a single point at 15 - 14. A nervous final fifteen minutes remained in store, after several changes of personnel on both sides, the Drovers forced continious pressure on the Druids try line which resulted in their third try of the game, the extra points were added for the score to show 22 - 14. With five minutes remaining, Dave Evans kicked a 35 metre penalty to reduce the deficit and although the Druids found themselves in Drovers territory for the remainder of the game, unfortunately a catalogue of handling errors put paid to their efforts. The final score of 22 -17 gave Llandovery 2nds. deserved success.

Many congratulations to Llandovery and much praise for a valiant effort by the Druids. Well done both sides!

Photo: The score board at Parc y Scarlets says it all.