Fixture

Aberystwyth 25pts  Penclawdd 18

The much anticipated clash between the two Clubs heading Division 2 West brought a large crowd to Plascrug on Saturday and they were treated to a classic encounter, totally enthralling from start to finish, and a superb advertisement for second division rugby in Wales.

The Ceredigion side had suffered a 24-7 defeat in Penclawdd in November and were up for revenge. It was clear also that the visitors were taking this match very seriously and their army of supporters anticipated celebration by the end of the afternoon.

The afternoon started in sombre fashion however as all present took a minute to reflect on the recent tragic losses borne by Bleddyn Jones, one of the most loyal of former Aberystwyth players with over 25 years’ experience.

Aberystwyth showed great urgency from the start and Penclawdd were forced to defend inside their own 22 for most of the opening ten minutes. The visiting forwards seemed to struggle against the Aber pack but managed to just stop them from pushing over their line; but from a lineout five metres out the home pack grouped in classic pose to go for the line again where flanker Lee Evans claimed the touchdown for the opening score to put Aber 5-0 up after 11 minutes.

But a feature of this encounter was how one side responded to the other scoring and the next ten minutes saw Penclawdd grow in confidence as the home outfit were forced to exhibit their defensive skills.  The visitors patiently put together a multi-phase sequence, keeping possession all the while until eventually a gap opened to take play to the Aber line. Penclawdd threequarter Kris Corbisiero was tackled just short but with good skill reached out to get his side’s opening try, levelling the scores at the end of the first quarter.

Aber went at the visitors from the restart and just four minutes later forced Penclawdd to concede a penalty for handling in a ruck 35 metres out. The angle was not in his favour but a majestic kick from skipper Jason Rees slotted a penalty for an 8-5 lead. The script continued with the visitors moving into top gear and barely two minutes on Aber conceded a penalty 8 metres from their own line. This time scrum half Lee Gunnell took a quick penalty and passed for prop Dan Tucker to get Penclawdd’s second try. Fly half Dan Guarneri converted and Aber were now 8-12 down. Aber’s restart sailed out of play conceding a scrum on halfway. But they spoiled Penclawdd possession and powered their way up the field deep into the visitors’ half. It was almost a repeat of the recipe that gave them their first try that gave them their second, Evans again touching down. This time Rees struck another fine kick to convert the try and his side were 15-12 ahead after 34 minutes. Both sides in turn tried to gain the next advantage, but the scoreboard remained inactive for the remainder of the half.

The opening minutes of the second half saw play contained between the 22s but when Aber were penalised for holding on some 30 metres from their own line the scores were levelled again after 46 minutes, Guarneri’s kick just creeping over the crossbar.  The home side took possession from the restart and when the ball was fed out to Rees some 25 metres out the skipper dropped a very neat goal – the stalemate had only lasted two minutes and Aber were 18-15 ahead. There followed a period of just under half an hour when neither side scored even though both tried their best. Aberystwyth had a real chance in the 65^th minute when they broke away from their own 22 and were instantly going for the line at the other end of the field. Although limited in numbers, the Penclawdd defenders forced Aber to kick ahead and chase, but the defenders got to the line first.  Injuries forced Aber to call on their replacements and Penclawdd took full advantage of the time it took for their opponents to regroup and settle down again. Penclawdd were desperately close to the Aber line but they were deftly kept out; unfortunately the home side conceded a penalty near the posts and Penclwadd opted for the points, Guarneri’s successful kick tying the scores yet again at 18-18 with seven minutes left on the clock.

Penclawdd were then caught on the hop at the restart and when Aber spread out the ball a hole appeared in the visitors’ defence and centre Paul Stubbs glided through and ran to the line to score under the posts. Rees converted to put Aber 25-18 up, five minutes of   proper time remaining. This spurred the visitors into frantic attempts to score again and soon seemed destined to get there along the left touchline, a try saving tackle from Aber centre Myles Hamilton ending the move five metres short of the line. Penclawdd however retained possession and used the whole width of the field as they tried to break through the Aber defence. When they lost the ball, Aber’s clearance kick failed to find touch and the visitors came at them again for a full three minutes until they were penalised for holding on. Aber cleared to secure a famous victory.

It was a classic encounter between two closely matched sides, emphasising that they are the best two in the division. But Aber came away with the victory and now find themselves at the top of the League. Penclawdd’s losing bonus point put them just one point behind Aber, but the light and dark blues have a game in hand.

With four games to go, Aberystwyth have the tougher run-in however and this continues next Saturday when they travel to Tycroes. Even though Aber had a comfortable victory at home, the Ammanford based side have clocked up some impressive results to put themselves in third place so another mouth-watering contest is in prospect.