Fixture

ABERYSTWYTH 31 – 26 WHITLAND

Before kick-off both teams stood for a minute’s silence in memory of Emrys Thomas who died recently out in Spain. Emrys had given sterling service to the club over many years and among other duties had managed some of the most successful Youth teams to represent Aberystwyth. Many of those players went on to play senior rugby for Aberystwyth with distinction notably his sons Barrie and Byron.

Aber started the game promisingly by pushing Whitland off their their scrum and quickly moving the ball to the right but this promising attack was well defended. Whitland worked the ball upfield and from an overthrown Aber lineout in their own 22 eventually No 8 Jack Mason scored from close range. The try was converted Nico Sertaro. Although slightly against the run of play Aber were not deterred and came back strongly .Another Whitland scrum in their own 22 was demolished and one long pass found Rhodri Richards who streaked through to score. The try was converted by Llyr Thomas to make the score 7-7. The game ebbed and flowed when after some uncharacteristic poor defending Aber let centre Connor Edwards through to score wide out on the right. Aber took the game to Whitland and but for some inaccuracy in maintaining possession and some wrong options being taken a number of promising attacks came to naught. Whitland to be fair were contributing greatly in making this a very entertaining game. From one of their very few visits to the Aber 22 they scored their third try when Connor Edwards burst through to score near the posts, the conversion was kicked by Nico Sertaro. Aber again went on the attack and were awarded a penalty on the Whitland 22. Paul Stubbs took matters in his own hands and burst through a number of tackles to score a brilliant individual try to make the half time score 12 – 19.

Aber started the second half full of intent but unfortunately after a very good 40m run by James Plumbridge they were unable to retain the ball and continue the attack. Whitland came back strongly and hit the post with a penalty which Aber managed to clear. A Whitland centre was then yellow carded for playing the ball in an off-side position. Aber opted for a scrum and skipper Lee Evans wiyh a strong run from the base of the scrum burst over the line to score. The try was converted by Llyr Thomas to level the score at 19-19. Whitland then picked up another yellow card for a high tackle and from this point Aber began to dominate proceedings. They moved the ball to the narrow side of a ruck and with some well-timed accurate passes among the backs they worked full-back Sion Summers free to score near the posts. Llyr Thomas converted to make the score 26-19. Aber continued to  attack strongly and from open play influential outside-half Mathew Hughes powered over after a classic outside break to score in the corner to make the score 31-19. The last 10 minutes of the game belonged to Whitland as they strived for a second bonus point. They achieved it when from the last move of the game substitute Ben Kirk went over for a try converted by Nico Sertaro to make the final score 31-26. Both teams should be congratulated for contributing to a very entertaining and competitive game edged by Aberystwyth due in no small part to their excellent scrum and their superior fitness.