Principality Welsh Premiership, Saturday April 27 2013.
Match report and photography by Ian Lovell.
Llandovery edged past Bedwas in an 11 try fiesta which could have seen either side win the game but the Drovers prevailed to earn a home play-off tie with Llanelli.
Bedwas started at a great pace and Ethan Davies scored the first try after two minutes which he successfully converted. Drovers pulled an unconverted try back after seven minutes through Jack Roberts.
The tide continued to turn and two tries by James Garland and Lee Ross both improved upon by James Garland put his side in the box seat.
Bedwas regained their composure and Deri Mattravers crossed in the corner after a good sweeping move, Robling added the conversion and a penalty goal to take the score to Bedwas 17 Llandovery 19 at the interval.
Bedwas came out for the second half showing some passion and Lewis Hudd crossed out on the right Robling added the extras. Four minutes later Lewis Robling intercepted a loose Llandovery clearance and raced clear to touch down under the sticks, he picked himself up to add the conversion.
Llandovery refused to lie down. A Matthew Jacobs try converted by James Garland and a further Garland penalty goal pulled the Drovers back into the contest.
Bedwas were not finished. Mattravers added his second and Bedwas’ fifth try of the afternoon just before the hour which together with Robling’s conversion and a further Robling goal saw Bedwas ahead again.
The Drovers stormed back with a Jake Randall try after 65 minutes converted by Garland and a Chris Knight again converted by Garland to put the Drovers ahead with six minutes left.
Robling saw a penalty attempt from the half way line drift agonisingly wide before Lewis Hudd came close to scoring in the corner but he was unable to gather in what would have been a try scoring pass.
Llandovery held on and secured a home play off against their West Walian rivals and Bedwas were left to reflect on what might have been but also realise they have achieved so much this season.