Fixture

Aber take positives from narrow defeat

After a relatively gentle introduction to Division One West rugby, at home against Penclawdd, Aberystwyth faced stronger opposition against a Gorseinon side that has been at this level for three seasons, and last season finished in mid-table.

In ideal conditions for running rugby, however, Aber showed class and determination to run the opposition very close indeed in a thrilling game.

Aber were two tries up in 15 minutes. For the first, from a ruck 10 metres out, the ball was passed to front row forward James Plumridge, who charged over for an unconverted try.
Gorseinon stormed back, taking play into Aber’s 22m, but from a winning ruck the ball was fed along the line to Tom Slinger, who made a brilliant 50-metre run downfield to score.
The home side, however, clawed back three points from a penalty kick, before scoring an unconverted try.

Poor tackling in midfield allowed the opposition to launch another attack, which resulted in a further unconverted try, followed by a second penalty to leave Aber 18-10 in arrears.
They drove back downfield and from a catch and drive line-out the ball was fed to Tom Evans, who scored near the posts, allowing Matthew Hughes to convert comfortably bringing the score back to 18-17.

Gorseinon immediately hit back and after sustained pressure a break by full-back Callum Richards saw the ball passed to fly-half Liam Popham to score with an unconverted try.
Aber were now being stretched wide by the Gorseinon backs, but held out for a 23-17 half- time score.

Strangely the opposition had not made use of the wind advantage at all and Aber seemed equally reluctant to do so for most of the second half.

Both sides battled hard for supremacy for the opening 10 minutes of this half until an excellent tackle-breaking run by No 10 Hughes took play downfield. He was stopped eventually but managed to offload to the ever-supportive Paul Stubbs, who scored under the posts. Hughes also converted to bring the score to 23-24, and secured a four-try bonus point.

Gorseinon hit back once more and were awarded a penalty in the Aber 22 metre area which they duly kicked.

Then came the turning point in the match. The ball was fed along the line to Aber’s right wing, who rounded his opposite number to cover over 40 metres to score an excellent try. At that point the Gorseinon touch- judge decided that the winger had stepped on the touchline and raised his flag.

Although that try was disallowed Aberystwyth soon hit back, courtesy of a fine try from full-back Dean Coleman to regain the advantage at 26-29.
With only five minutes left, however, more pressure from the determined Gorseinon side and some weak tackling saw their left winger score to take the final score to 31-29.
Aber’s players can feel proud of this performance, but they would also concede that, although there is considerable potential, the squad’s development is still a ‘work in progress’.
The Aber scrum was solid and their lineout efficient, with Robbie Parry outstanding. Yet, there was some naivety in the use of the elements in the second half, and more determined tackling in midfield could well have turned the tide in their favour.

But, with this result, they have made other clubs in Division One West sit up and realise that Aber were not just promoted to make up the numbers.

Match Report by Adam Hughes

For the original article click here