Llandovery Clinch Super Rygbi Cymru Title at Eugene Cross Park
Lee Rees, who made his debut for Llandovery against North Wales in 2008, concluded his distinguished career by helping the Drovers secure the Super Rygbi Cymru title with a 27-10 victory over Ebbw Vale.
The Drovers, champions in both 2023 and 2024, continued their successful campaign by following up their semi-final win at Cardiff with a strong performance against the Steelmen at Eugene Cross Park.
Wing Harri Doel’s two tries early in the second half marked the turning point in what had been a closely contested match. Later, scrum-half Lee Rees, playing his 402nd and final game for the Drovers, scored the decisive try to seal the win.
The result added to Ebbw Vale’s recent disappointments on home ground, having lost the 2025 Grand Final to their Gwent rivals Newport.
The match was level at 10-10 after a turbulent first half that included two yellow cards for each side and numerous missed chances for Llandovery.
Euros Evans’ team had an early opportunity to take the lead in the sixth minute, but fly-half Ioan Hughes stepped on the dead-ball line while attempting to ground the ball near the posts.
Following exchanged penalties, Ebbw Vale scored first with an 11-man driving line-out that resulted in hooker Corey Lewis touching down for a try.
Llandovery responded when centre Rhodri Jones executed a powerful line to score, but the visitors’ inefficiency inside the 22-metre area and inconsistent line-out play prevented them from capitalizing fully on the wind advantage.
This pattern persisted into the second half until Llandovery gradually wore down the Ebbw defence. Canada international flanker Sion Parry was a persistent threat for Ebbw Vale, but Doel crossed on the right wing to give the Drovers the lead.
Doel then scored again immediately after the restart, following a brilliant break by Scarlets full-back Jac Davies. Hughes converted to extend the lead to 22-10 but missed a penalty attempt that could have put the game further beyond reach at the hour mark.
Rees then secured the victory by demonstrating skillful footwork to score from a loose ball, increasing the lead to 27-10.
Despite the loss, the Steelmen, who had narrowly defeated Newport in a thrilling semi-final to reach the final, maintained their composure but ultimately finished as runners-up for the second consecutive season, failing to score in the second half.
Their evening was further marred when lock Dylan Bartlett was sent off in the final minute for a dangerous clear-out.
Scoring Summary
Llandovery: Tries: C Lewis; Conversions: E Lloyd; Penalty: E Lloyd
Ebbw Vale: Tries: R Jones, Harri Doel (2), L Rees; Conversions: I Hughes (2); Penalties: I Hughes
