LLANDOVERY'S Premiership record at Cross Keys has been far from impressive in recent years and things got no better for them at a wet Pandy Park writes Huw S Thomas.

The Drovers may be the most attack minded outfit in the league but the Keys forwards had much the better of tight and loose and the home win was richly deserved.

It was a most welcome four league points for the Gwent outfit who had been struggling to find form in recent weeks and the relief around the ground at the final whistle was palpable.

Most of the early pressure came from the Keys and wing Rory Budina twice threatened out wide.

Llandovery were penalised at the scrum on two occasions and when Keys centre Dylan Fidler fell foul to a high tackle, fly half Jacob Botica marked his debut with a 30 metre penalty.

The sticky conditions did not suit Llandovery’s style and when they lost the ball in midfield, good Keys handling put wing Wes Cunliffe in wide out, Botica kicking a fine conversion.

Things got worse for the Drovers who were making uncharacteristic errors against a forceful defence in which the two young Dragons James Sheekey and James Benjamin were outstanding.

Botica put over his second penalty before Llandovery did at last get on the scoreboard.

Fly half Jack Maynard missed a difficult penalty but on the stroke of half time converted a close range effort to leave it 13-3 at the break.

Llandovery centre Rhodri Jones was nearly over soon after the restart but a Keys interception and break out from deep gave scrum half Dan Babos the chance to win a thrilling race for the loose ball, Botica adding the conversion.

The visitors continued to handle sloppily in the face of very aggressive tackling but the appearance off the bench of No 8 Richard Broooks seemed to boost their confidence.

The pack forced its way over for prop Berian Watkins to get the touchdown, Maynard converting to bring it back to 20-10 after 52 minutes.

Llandovery ill discipline in defence cost them two more Botica penalties before Maynard got his second penalty.

A yellow card for Budina gave the Drovers good field position and Maynard put wing Corey Balwin in for the try a minute from the end but short of a consolation bonus point.

Cross Keys: L Andrews; R Budina, S Majkic, D Fidler, W Cunliffe; J Botica, D Babos; G Carpenter, E Shipp, S Evans, D Welch (capt), S Andrews, J Sheekey, G Price, J Benjamin Replacements: R Jenkins, R Cornock, G Ellis, I Jones, T Lampard, J Thomas, O Leonard, W Kelly.

Llandovery: M Williams; C Baldwin, R Evans, R Jones, A Warren; J Maynard, D Land; J Hughes, M Moore, B Watkins, R Jones, J Jones (capt), J Powell, E Price, S Worrall Replacements: D Dellavalle, L Green, R Brooks, S Miles, G Williams, H Doel, G Thomas, S Maynard Keys Star Choice: James Sheekey