Fixture

ABERYSTWYTH 52 – 12 WAUNARLWYDD

Before kick-off both teams and supporters stood to impeccably observe a minutes silence in memory of Eifion Gwynne. He would have been incredibly proud of this performance by Aberystwyth probably their best of the season so far. Waunarlwydd kicked off and camped in the Aber 22 for the first 10 minutes of the game. They mounted wave after wave of attacks which Aber defended magnificently. Aber worked their way into the opposition 22 and started to apply pressure of their own. Waunarlwydd conceded a penalty close to their line and quick-thinking scrum half Gruff Jones saw his chance and dived over from close range to open the scoring. The try went unconverted. There followed the best try scored at Plascrug for a while. Straight from the kick-off Aber fielded the ball and ran it back strongly through the forwards with some lovely well-timed passes and excellent support running to put Gruff Jones clear to score his second try. The try was converted by Llyr Thomas to make the score 12-0. This theme was repeated a few minutes later to put centre Carwyn Evans clear to score under the posts this was also converted by Llyr Thomas.The Waunarlwydd left winger was then yellow carded for taking a player out in the air. This was exploited shortly after by Aberystwyth when from a line-out on the right 10m line Paul Stubbs collected the ball at the back and burst through the defence to score under the posts to secure the bonus point. The try was again converted by Llyr Thomas to make the score 26-0. Aber continued to dominate proceedings and from yet another dominant scrum Gruff Jones made a lovely outside break to put right winger Adam Carvell in to score a lovely text book try. This went unconverted and at the break Aber led 31-0. This

was a dominant display by Aberystwyth in the first half playing with discipline and a polish about everything they did. The team were well-led and looked very comfortable with their game plan which reflects very positively on their coaches and the excellent that they are doing with this young team. Aber carried on in the second half as they finished the first and scored the next try unusually from a set-piece. The ball was tapped back from a shortened line-out on half-way and moved quickly to Lee Evans in mid-field who attracted a couple of defenders and fed a delightful short pass to centre Rhodri Richards who came bursting through the defence to score under the posts. This was converted by Llyr Thomas. Waunarlwydd then had their best spell of the game and scored two tries by both wingers one of which was converted to make the score 38-12. Aberystwyth soon got back on track and turned the ball over a number of times showing both strength and technique in the very efficient use of the choke tackle. Aber scored next when from a Waunarlwydd knock-on in mid-field Aber moved ball out quickly to left winger Steff Rees who with the defence closing in he kicked and successfully chased from half-way and with a lovely pick-up under pressure he dived over to score. With a lovely kick Llyr Thomas converted to make the score 45-12. One very pleasing feature of the performance was Aber’s dominant scrum and even after a number of substitutions this did not alter. From one scrummage close to their line Waunarlwydd who were being pushed rapidly backwards over their line dived on the ball and the referee awarded a penalty try to Aberystwyth. Llyr Thomas converted to make the final score 52-12. This was a very impressive performance from Aberystwyth who played heads-up rugby with discipline and determination. They looked comfortable with their game plan and their new defensive system and coupled with their dominant scrum they were very worthy winners.