The Drovers played their best rugby of the season last week to beat both Glamorgan Wanderers and Newport and so secure their place in the Premiership for another year, writes Huw S Thomas.

Two richly deserved wins at Church Bank, 26-10 over the Wanderers on Wednesday and 36-0 over Newport on Saturday, confined Maesteg to the bottom place in the league and relegation.

The Old Parish still have one game to play but are now seven points behind the Drovers and are already doomed to play down in National League One next year.

Llandovery's run of five home wins in their last six games has proved to be the key to survival.

Outgoing coach Iestyn Thomas was quietly but hugely delighted at the way his charges confounded critics with their fluent and creative rugby.

"A lot of folk kept saying that we were one dimensional," said Thomas, "So I hope they were at Church Bank last week to see the side play some terrific attacking rugby.

"With a few good signings and more solid support from the Scarlets next year my successor Rob Appleyard should do very well."

On Wednesday the Drovers dominated the second half against the Wanderers to stretch the score from 11-10 at the break to a clear 26-10 at the finish.

The try scorers were hooker Emyr Phillips, wing Viv Jenkins and full-back Ceiron Thomas who was on loan from the Scarlets with excellent fly-half Gareth Morgan chipping in with 11 kicked points.

On Saturday, the Drovers needed to win to secure Premiership survival and they did it in a canter against a listless Newport side.

Tries from wing Ifan Evans and flanker Marc de Marigny gave the hosts a 10-0 lead.

No 8 Richard Dale tried to instil some urgency into the Newport effort but support was as poor as the spirit was lacking and when wing Viv Jenkins finished off a brilliant sweeping move just before the break, Llandovery were clear at 17-0.

Skipper Rob Walters led from the front but was outdone for Man of the Match by his fly-half partner Gareth Morgan.

Morgan ran in a try from the half-way line to secure a bonus point and things got worse for the visitors when prop Stuart McGuire was carried off with a bad back injury.

Further tries from the influential Morgan and from flanker Gareth Williams confirmed the absolute domination of the Drovers as they earned a fine victory and guaranteed survival.

10:22am Wednesday 7th May 2008

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