Fixture

Tenby United RFC | 1st Team 33 - 7 Aberystwyth RFC | 1st Team

Match Report
01 October 2017 / Team News

Disappointing Defeat

Tenby 33 – 7 Aberystwyth

After three consecutive, hard-fought wins, Aberystwyth suffered a very disappointing away defeat against Tenby on Saturday. None of the players, coaches or travelling supporters can complain about the outcome of this match as Aber were comprehensively out-thought and outplayed in every department other than in the scrummages.

Ground conditions were good and the rain kept away until the very end of the game. There was a downfield wind but both sides adapted well to this. The home side showed their intentions from the start as they attacked with fast flowing moves along their three-quarters. They showed more endeavour and flair than Aber; they tackled better and were not afraid to move the ball wide at every opportunity. The visitors on the other hand reverted to attempts at close-quarter charges which came to nothing.

Aber used their wind advantage to gain ground with long kicks deep into opposition territory. In the first half-hour both sides came close to scoring with the visitors’ winger, Gwern Penri, unlucky to knock the ball forward with the line at his mercy. But in general, poor handling and a great reluctance to offload restricted the visitors’ opportunities.

It was Tenby who broke the deadlock with a fine move as they won quick loose ball on Aber’s 22 metre line for their outside half Ashley Sutton to jink over to score. He converted his own try to put the home side 7 – 0 ahead after half an hour. The game was evenly and vigorously contested but it was clear that the home side could easily read Aber’s intentions and snuffed out all their attempts to break through with some stubborn defending.

It was still anyone’s game as Tenby started the second half, but Aber knocked on in trying to catch the kick off and the home side pressed hard. Tenby took advantage of some slack work at the base of a ruck on Aber’s 22m and stole the ball. A swift passing move saw their right wing Jevon Barnes cross in the corner to move the home side 12 – 0 ahead.

Aber fought hard for territory and spent long periods in the opposition’s half. But their tactics were predictable and sterile and the Tenby defence coped easily with one-man attempts to gain ground. The home side’s strategy on the other hand was to move the ball wide and wait for gaps in Aber’s defence to appear. The visitors however, did not get the message. Both their wingers looked capable when they had the ball but such occasions were few and far between.

After yet another Aber attack broke down Tenby gained possession and started a passing movement downfield. Full-back Jonny Morgan came into the line and created an overlap for winger Barnes to score his second try of the afternoon. Sutton added the conversion, Tenby were 19 – 0 ahead and playing with confidence. As both sides brought on their substitutes, Tenby launched a series of attacks in Aber’s 22 m area and it was no surprise when the home side No 8 Roy Osborn crashed over for their bonus point try, converted by Sutton to give them a 26 – 0 lead.

Aber hit back with a good, powerful break by Owain Bonsall, the visitors’ best forward on the day. When he was stopped, the ball was recycled and Tenby were under pressure. Aber put in a mighty shove at a five metre scrum and captain Lee ‘Truck’ Evans touched down for Aber’s first points. This was converted by Llyr Thomas to take the score to 26 – 7.

From the kick off Aber again knocked the ball forward and the Tenby pack stormed in. After a number of rucks close to Aber’s line the ball was moved out wide for substitute winger Jordan Asparassa to score. Sutton again converted to close the scoring at 33 – 7.

This was an uncharacteristically one-dimensional performance by Aber. There was no variation in their approach even when it was clear that it was not working. Admittedly, some new faces had been brought in but none of these let the side down. They will have a break from Division 1 action this week; time to re-examine their game.

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