Welsh Premiership: Cardiff 8-24 Llandovery - Drovers champions for first time

Llandovery had never previously won the Premiership title

Llandovery were crowned Welsh Premiership champions for the first time in their history with a convincing win over Cardiff at the Arms Park.

Scrum-half Lee Rees scored in either half as the Drovers overturned the league standings in emphatic style.

Cardiff, who ended the season top of the table and chasing a league and cup double, barely fired a shot.

The play-offs may be a cruel way to decide the best team over a season but there was only one winner on the day.

Llandovery full-back Jack Maynard revealed in the week that the entire village partied for a week following their cup success in 2016. One can only imagine how long these celebrations will last.

There is a sense of cruelty for defending champions Cardiff who have questioned the merit of the play-offs.

They finished six points clear of the rest of the Premiership after 22 games but - ultimately - without reward after producing their worst display of the season at the worst possible moment.

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Llandovery were 'visitors' in name only as coach-loads of fans from mid-Wales made this feel more like a home game for the Drovers.

Their players fed off the energy and dominated the first half to lead 16-3 at the break.

Llandovery have been Cardiff's nemesis having beaten them twice already this season.

They were simply faster and stronger in deed and intent and were smarter with the kicking game.

Full-back Maynard, who had two spells at Cardiff, opened a six-point lead with the boot before the Warren brothers combined for the opening try on 30 minutes.

Centre Adam Warren found brother Aaron with a smart inside pass, streaking through before handing Rees and easy finish.

Cardiff, for all their dominance this season, looked shell-shocked. The set-piece wobbled, handling was shaky and discipline steadily declined.

Lee Rees scored tries in either half

Half-time words from head coach Steve Law had the desired impact, but they were not enough to get his players over the line.

Cardiff tried to get their power-game going but hit a red and white brick wall. For ten minutes they were camped inside Llandovery's 22-yard line, but came away with nothing.

Drovers went close themselves only to knock-on with the line at their mercy.

But when Cardiff centre Arron Pinches was shown a yellow card for tip-tackle on Joseff Powell on 62 minutes, Llandovery saw an opening.

A lose kick was picked up mid-way inside their own half from where Aaron Warren streaked through, beating two men with ease before sending Rees over for the match-winning try.

Cardiff managed a late score when Jacob Lloyd raced onto a deflection off Pinches knee but it was never likely to deny Llandovery's jubilation.

Cardiff: Winnett; Goodchild, Evans, Pinches, Cross; James, Habberfield; Thomas, Rees, Andrews, Moore, Phillips, Thomas, Hudd, Allen (capt).

Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Barratt, Barnes, Martin, De La Rua, Ethan Lloyd, Wilkins, J Lloyd

Llandovery: Maynard; Doel, Adam Warren, R Jones, Aaron Warren; I Hughes, L Rees; J Hughes, D Hughes, Watkins, J Jones (capt), G Evans, Davies, Worrall, I Rees

Replacements: Guest, Dallavalle, James, Powell, Pike, Wall, K Jones, Land