LLANDOVERY showed nerves of steel last Saturday as they coasted to victory against Aberavon to stay top of the Principality Welsh Premiership.
Their title hopes were also boosted by Neath’s comprehensive defeat at Carmarthen Quins and tomorrow the Drovers head east to The Gnoll as first meets third.
Neath go into the game on the back of Geraint Hawkes’ announcement this week that he is to step down as club chairman, so the players will want to see his tenure end on a high.
Tomorrow's visitors are also chasing a league double over the Welsh All Blacks following their 15-10 victory at Church Bank last October.
Supporters can expect another fierce battle this time with Neath anxious to repair the damage of last weekend in Carmarthen and get their title push back on track – they and second-placed Aberavon do have two games in hand on the Drovers.
Aberavon themselves host Swansea at the Talbot Athletic Ground, eager to bounce straight back from the loss at Llandovery.
And in the Whites they take on a team smarting from a 35-8 thumping at the hands of Cardiff and who the Wizards will feel are there for the taking.
The only positive thing to come from their Arms Park drubbing was a try-scoring debut for winger Johnny Morgan, but coach Jason Hyatt will need a few more of his players to be on their ‘A’ game if they are to get something from Aberavon.
Pontypridd are lurking ominously in fourth, one point behind Aberavon and Neath with a game in hand over both of them and three over the Drovers.
A much-changed side secured the expected bonus-point win against Tonmawr last Saturday but tomorrow it’s a tough trip to the Brewery Field for Dale McIntosh’s men.
Bridgend also picked up maximum points from a 39-21 win at Bedwas with fly-half Dai Flanagan, whose drop goal won the Welsh Cup for Pontypridd in 2006, contributing 19 to the total.
With one eye on their British & Irish Cup quarter-final next Saturday, in-form Cross Keys entertain a pumped up Quins, while Llanelli, Keys’ opponents in that last eight clash, go to Pontypool.
In the other matches, Cardiff take on Bedwas and the two clubs at the bottom of the table, Newport and winless Tonmawr, fight it out at the Whitworth Ground.
Predictions
Aberavon v Swansea – Aberavon by 12 points
Bridgend v Pontypridd – Bridgend by five points
Cardiff v Bedwas – Cardiff by nine points
Cross Keys v Carmarthen Quins – Keys by eight points
Neath v Llandovery – Neath by three points
Pontypool v Llanelli – Llanelli by 10 points
Tonmawr v Newport – Newport by 12 points
By David Williams
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