Few expected Neath to come away with much from Church Bank on Friday evening – and they were right !
In front of the BBC Scrum V cameras, Neath’s limitations were laid bare for all to see as the Blacks showed endeavour and enjoyed periods of possession but made far too many mistakes.
These let in Llandovery for four tries by prop Berian Watkins and full back Gavin Thomas in the first half then hooker Matthew Moore and replacement Lee Rees in the second-half.
Jack Maynard kicked a conversion and a penalty in the first-half to give Llandovery a 15-nil and he did the same after the break when full back Ed Howley landed a goal for Neath’s only points.
Skipper Jordan Collier again set a rousing example but Llandovery played with more vigour and method and really Neath rarely threatened and spent much of the time trying to play behind the gain-line.
There was little for the hardy Neath supporters who made the trip to enthuse over but sound enough debuts were made by lock Nathan Smith who worked hard and scrum-half Tom Briggs who showed some deft touches. Now for Newport at home !
MATCH PREVIEW
Neath v Llandovery (Away)
15 Ed Howley; 14 Ian Ellis, 13 Mike Evans, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 James Roberts; 10 Regan King, 9 Scott Gibson; 1 Luke Garrett, 2 Sion Crocker, 3 Ryan Thomas; 4 Rhys Jones, 5 Nathan Smith; 6 Jordan Collier (captain), 7 Lloyd Evans, 8 Ieuan Jones
Replacements : 16 Ben Uphill, 17 Garin Lloyd, 18 Liam Tobias, 19 Leon Ward, 20 Elis Hopkins, 21 Aled Cockwell; 22 Tom Briggs, 23 Callum Hall
Referee – Mr. Adam Jones (Brecon)