Istra Ronda secured a 24-20 victory over Llanelli Wanderers in the Premier Shield on Saturday, keeping their campaign alive with a hard-fought win at home. The hosts had been unpredictable of late, bouncing between emphatic displays and fragile outings, but by then they found a steadier version of themselves. And here's the thing, it wasn't the flashy moments that decided it — it was the composure when pressure mounted.
Earlier in the season, Istra had shown glimpses of their potential, including that 49-14 demolition of Bonimaen, but also suffered heavy defeats like the 33-34 loss to Cross Keys. Llanelli, meanwhile, had struggled away from home, losing five of their last six encounters including that 10-33 thrashing by Nabert. Both sides carried questions into this fixture, and neither answered them with style points.
We had tipped the home side for victory — 67 per cent confidence — and the result vindicated that call. Not because Llanelli were weak, but because Istra's experience told when it mattered. To be fair, the visitors kept pushing until the final whistle, but that familiarity with high-stakes rugby served them here.
The match itself unfolded without major drama, neither team able to pull clear for long periods. Istra's forwards did the grinding work, while Llanelli's backline looked to exploit space when it opened up. By the end, the margin was narrow enough to suggest either outcome was possible — until it wasn't.
What this means in the table remains to be seen, but the win keeps Istra in contention. Llanelli's away form continues to raise eyebrows, and this result adds another chapter to that story. By then, you'd have to look further down the season to find their last victory on the road.
