Fixture

Tycroes 19pts  Aberystwyth 14

Aberystwyth's reign at the top of the second division lasted but a week as they fell at the first hurdle on a visit to Tycroes. The Ammanford side have also had a good season and are in the pack of three teams vying for promotion should Aber and/or Penclawdd slip up. Although the first encounter between them this season ended in a comfortable 24-7 win for the light and dark blues at Plascrug, Tycroes have enjoyed some impressive results in the last few months to climb the table.

Whether or not it was beacuse of the euphoria of the winning performance against Penclawdd the previous Saturday, Aber at the start of this match were a mere shadow of that side. They got off to the worst possible start and found themselves seven points adrift after two minutes. The visitors' tackling left much to be desired and when centre Roach all-too-easily broke the defence, wing John Tancock was there in support to cross for the opening try under the posts. Full back Carwyn Richards successfully added the conversion. Tycroes were soon back inside the Aber 22 but a strong scrum from the visitors got them out of trouble quite promptly. But that good work was nullified when lacklustre defending allowed the home side to counter easily. Tycroes took play to the Aber 22 and from that lineout two more missed tackles opened the way for the centres to feed flanker Luke Stratford to score a second try and the home side were 12 points up in as many minutes. Aber seemed to settle a little but 13 minutes later the defence seemed to take a nap again and the home side took full advantage in setting up wing Elgan Griffiths for their third try in the right corner. Richards landed a good conversion for a 19-0 lead inside the first quarter of the match.

It is true that Tycroes had the advantage of the wind and the slope in the first half (as well of course as local knowledge of their ground); but Aberystwyth's play had been of a poor standard compared to their recent form. Tycroes did create a couple more chances in the second quarter but Aber managed to keep them from any more scoring, albeit without really managing to create scoring opportunities themselves. The dismay and frustrations of the Aber coaches could clearly be heard in the team talk at half time, and the Aber players were left in no doubt that more was expected of them.

The exhortations worked as from the restart Aber's body language in the field moved up a gear or two and they were soon down the hill at the Tycroes tryline. The home side desperately contained them for a few minutes, over-zealousness reducing them to 14 men with a yellow card for Richards. The pressure eventually told in the 46th minute when centre Paul Stubbs burst through the Tycroes defence for a try under the posts. Skipper Jason Rees added the conversion. Aber kept coming at Tycroes but their finishing was not quite as clinical as Tycroes's efforts had been in the opening period. Their play was exemplified by a move in the 54th minute when they attacked from inside their own 22, reaching the opposite 22 with great skill only for the final pass to go astray. They did get due reward in the 63rd minute; they had crossed the Tycroes line twice in the preceding few minutes, on both occasions the ball adjudged to have been held up. But at the third scrum the ball was flicked out right and wing Carwyn Evans tore over the line unopposed and managed to round some 15 metres towards the posts to make the kick easier. Rees duly obliged and Aber were within 5 points of their hosts.

The Tycroes side had been visibly tiring and all stoppages were protracted as bodies sought rejuvenation. Bridgend referee Steve Richmond took due notice of the stoppages however and 38 minutes after the half had started declared there were 12 minutes left to play. Aber tried their best but Tycroes defended valiantly in those final minutes, Aber also conceding several penalties and free kicks, especially in the scrummages. Tycroes were happy to end the game as soon as they could and when they gathered the ball from yet another scrum after Mr Richmond had declared "last play", scrum half James gladly booted the ball dead to bring matters to a close.

Aberystwyth will look back on this in the week to come with more than a slight feeling of squandering a chance to consolidate their top of the table position. Their losing bonus point, combined with Penclawdd's bonus point win now puts them three points behind the cocklemen, but they do have a game in hand. Aber's final three games take place in a single week: next Saturday they welcome Amman United to Plascrug and the following week travel to Mumbles to replay the match that had been abandoned at first play. But they have arranged to make their trip to Pontyberem between those dates, an evening kick off on Tuesday 19th April. A few nervous encounters lay ahead, but their first priority now will be to sign off at Plascrug in style this weekend - it could be the last Division 2 game at Plascrug for the foreseeable future!