Llandovery College taught Gower College a lesson in how to turn pressure into points in their 29-12 win at St Helens, Swansea.

The win saw Llandovery maintain their unbeaten run in the colleges league while Gower are yet to get their first win on the board.

Wing Jedd Evans scored twice with Olly Smyth and Lloyd Rogers adding further scores.

Two late tries from replacement Connor Edgcombe and a Sam Evans conversion were all Gower could register in response.

Despite the two sides going into the game boasting very different records, it was a competitive opening to the game.
Llandovery centre Owen Howe gave his side the lead with an early penalty but Gower fullback Evans dragged his effort wide when given the chance to level the scores.

In windy conditions, there were a number of turnovers in the first 10 minutes as neither side managed to maintain possession. It was Llandovery who looked the more dangerous though and they extended their lead with a try from left winger Smyth. Centre Jac Wilson made the key break, escaping the Gower defence and feeding Smyth who went over in the corner. Howe added the difficult touchline conversion to give his side a 10-0 lead.

After falling behind, Gower’s heads may have dropped but they rallied impressively. The home side camped themselves in the Llandovery half, using their large forward pack to their advantage. For all their territory though, they were unable to get the score board ticking over, Evans again off target with a second penalty effort.

And the visitors showed them how to turn pressure into points with their second try on the stroke of half-time. A break from scrumhalf and captain Dan Brooks saw Llandovery into the Gower 22. Gower flanker Max Easey was sent to the sin bin in the process and from the resulting penalty, Evans went over as Llandovery made the most of an overlap. Howe missed the conversion but Iestyn Thomas’ side had a 15-0 lead at the interval.

The second half started as the first had ended with the Gower forwards to the fore. They pounded the Llandovery line from the kick-off and looked to have gone over at one stage only for the ball to be held up.

On a big St Helens pitch, there was plenty of space for the two sets of backs but it was upfront where most of the action took place. With a significant deficit to overturn, Gower were looking to run the ball and from a turnover inside their own 22, a breakaway looked on.

The man overlap mattered for little though as when Gower broke away, a huge tackle from Llandovery winger Evans saw the ball spill loose. Fullback Lloyd Rogers picked up and had a simple run in under the posts. Howe added the extra two points as Llandovery went 22-0 up.

Evans added his second and Llandovery’s fourth soon after when he collected his own chip to score under the posts. Howe kicked the conversion and at 29-0 the game was now firmly up for the home side.

For all their endeavour, Gower deserved something from the game and they got their reward with two late tries from replacement back Edgcombe. Evans converted the second of these scores but it was too little too late.

Watch a full repeat of tonight’s game on S4C tonight at 10.35pm.

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