Fixture

Tregaron 13pts Aberystwyth 38

The traditional Boxing Day fixture between Aberystwyth and Tregaron assumed a new identity this year with the Clubs now in the same division of the National League. Whilst the first such encounter at Plascrug in September had resulted in the home side overpowering newly promoted Tregaron, recent improvements in form raised hopes for a much closer encounter. Rugby in December has been heavily influenced by weather conditions and the festive season did nothing to appease this as the home side kicked off with a strong wind behind their backs. Unsurprisingly they kicked long and Aber's failure to pouch the ball led to a set piece within sniffing distance of their own tryline; Tregaron took full advantage of the initial settling down period and their hooker and ex-Aber front row man Geraint Rowlands touched down for the opening try under the posts. Fly half Llion Jones landed the straightforward conversion and the home side had a seven point lead within two minutes of the start. Once Aberystwyyth settled into a pattern of play they soon found themselves inside Tregaron territory where, in the eleventh minute a well worked passing movement found speedy wing Adam Carvell out on the right flank and the youngster showed his skill and pace in reaching the corner for his side's opening try. The touchline conversion attempt from Aber skipper Jason Rees exemplified the meteorological conditions of the day as the goalposts seemingly created a magnetic field that repelled the ball across their face. Ten minutes later the visitors took the lead for the first time when Carvell was once more in action; this time he wriggled away from a tackle on the right touchline just inside the Tregaron half and he engaged his extra gear to race for a second try on the same spot as the first.
Within minutes Aber's advantage had been annulled when Jones made full use of the wind in landing a penalty from near the centre spot to level the scores; the two sides then battled against each other for the fifteen minute or so remaining in the first period, Tregaron desperate to capitalise on their wind advantage but Aberystwyth equally adamant to get back on top. As the half drew to a close Aber were pressurising the home side in the left corner near the Tregaron line and a breakthrough literally came when centre Paul Bumford burst through a half gap, tearing to the line to score Aber's third try under the posts. Rees added the conversion to give the visitors a 17-10 lead with the last kick of the half. 
Aberystwyth started he second half just as their opponents had started the first and were soon attacking on the Tregaron tryline; when the home pack were penalised eight metres from their line the ball was fed to Aber lock Robbie Parry who powered to the line for Aber's bonus point try near the posts in the 43rd minute. A conversion from Rees opened a 24-10 lead. Tregaron kept attacking and would not give up throughout the afternoon; Jones clawed back three points in the 50th minute with a penalty from in front of the posts 15 metres out. Just two minutes later Aber had a scrum just inside their own half from which scrum half Gruff Jones broke through and accelerated up the right touchline. He was well supported by Carvell and the young winger took an excellently timed pass, followed by a clever run to the posts for his hat-trick of tries for the afternoon. Rees added the conversion and the visitors were ahead by 31 points to 13 after 51 minutes. 
It was a difficult afternoon for the players with the unpredictable wind but thankfully the rain stayed away, the school pitch seemingly perfectly positioned to avoid the deluges that were not too far away. It was a match also festooned with penalties, the shrill tone (as well as the lack of it at other times) of the referee's whistle frustrated many sections of the crowd. The result was finally settled on the hour when Bumford burst through to take an interception and scamper 40 metres to the line for Aberystwyth's sixth try. Rees was thankful that this too was touched down under the posts as he landed his fourth conversion. 
The final quarter was again a frustrating affair for both sides: Tregaron tried their best to add to their tally but Aber's defence was called upon to keep them out, a task they performed valiantly, including an especially torrid six minute period spent within five metres of the Aber line. But the defence stayed firm, despite seemingly failing to impress the referee as they were very frequently penalised, and they were unfortunate to receive a yellow card for repeated technical offences. But they stuck to their guns and stopped Tregaron from adding to their score; they did not manage to add to their own either, but with a win and a bonus point already in the bag it was a case of job done for the visitors.
Aberystywth therefore end 2015 in second place in the League, a division in which they and leaders Penclawdd are now 20 points ahead of the field. Back in mid-September they scored a narrow 31-27 victory over Pontarddulais at Plascrug, and they now start 2016 with a return fixture next Saturday.