In this key match in Pool A of the SRC Cup, last year’s Cup winners Llandovery ran out surprisingly easy winners against the North Walians at Stadiwm CSM, writes Tom Hughes.

In a first half of wonderful attacking rugby, the Drovers ran in no fewer than six tries, including one sensational effort by former Wales U20 wing Llien Morgan, described by a band of veteran supporters as “one of the truly great combined tries in the history of the club.”

Fly half Ioan Hughes, under pressure on his own line, fed full back Tomi Lewis who broke away before passing inside to centre Adam Warren who sped off up to the half way line.

There he found supporting scrum half George MacDonald who handed on to wing Kian Abraham before a wonderful off load pass out of contact from hooker Taylor Davies worked in wing Llien Morgan.

Coach Euros Evans considered the first half performance the best his side has produced all season.

“There was great balance to our attack and Llien’s try was arguably the finest we have ever scored as a team for many a day,” he said.

“Great to see young flanker Tiaan Sparrow get a try on his full debut and full marks to another debutant in prop replacement Berian Williams who was drafted in to help out at tight head.

“George MacDonald impressed everyone at scrum half in his first full game for us and confirmed a bright future in the game.

“Hats off, too, to our defensive organisation in the first half that shut RGC out for long periods.”

Attack coach Gareth Potter swiftly added: “A quite outstanding first half performance with great variety and accuracy in our game, good discipline and clinical finishing plus a great driving maul from the line out.

“We understandingly slacked off a bit towards the end after setting such a furious pace but to score 61 points away from home says it all.”

RGC were stunned by the brilliance of the Llandovery attack which ruthlessly exposed any hesitancy and weaknesses in their defence.

Tries from lock Ed Scragg, centre Warren, hooker Davies and Sparrow, all converted by Hughes, had the bonus point in the bag inside half an hour.

RGC got a try back from scrum half Connor Dever, converted by full back Caio Parry but then conceded one to Davies before the Morgan tour de force made it a staggering 40-7 at the break.

The game was over as a contest and it was soon 54-7 after a length-of-the-field effort from the classy MacDonald and another sweeping movement that sent in Warren for his second.

With Llandovery throwing on replacements, RGC No 8 Sam Williams made a try for Parry, converted by replacement Dion Jones.

The day became even worse for the home side when lock Billy McQueeney was red carded for foul play and although they bravely managed two tries from wing Sam Stoddard, converted by Jones, an interception score by centre Rhodri Jones and conversion from replacement Sam Potter put the game safely to bed.

This impressive haul of six points now puts Llandovery top of Pool A, level with RGC - who have only one game left - and favourites to qualify for the final where they would face the winning side from Pool B - probably Ebbw Vale or Newport.

The Drovers are the only unbeaten side in Pool A but still have two tricky games to navigate - home against Bridgend on March 1 and away at Aberavon on March 14.

They will need to win both to be certain of getting to the final on Thursday March 20.

RGC

Tries: S Stoddard (2), C Dever, C Parry

Cons: Dion Jones (3), C Parry

Llandovery

Tries: T Davies (2), A Warren (2), E Scragg, T Sparrow, L Morgan, G MacDonald, R Jones

Cons: I Hughes (7), S Potter

RGC: C Parry, R Tudor, D Cross (capt), A Bagshaw, S Stoddard; B McBryde, C Dever; J Williams, J Petch-Jones, P Jones, McQueeney, I Evans, E Fackrell, S Williams, C Probert

Replacements: R King, G Parry, P Nelson, T Taylor, C Francis-Roberts, D Roderick, DelwynJones, Dion Jones

Llandovery: T Lewis, L Morgan, Adam Warren, R Jones, K Abraham; I Hughes, G MacDonald; J Hughes, T Davies, G Jones, M Jones, E Scragg, O Davies, J Powell (capt), T Sparrow

Replacements: T Phillips, G Williams, B Williams, N Hart, E Sheldon, H Doel, S Potter, L Rees