Fixture

Penclawdd 24pts  Aberystwyth 7

After their impressive eight bonus point victories out of nine start to the season Aberystwyth finally met their match on Saturday on the Penclawdd hillside overlooking the Gower peninsula. With a late change to the starting lineup because of a late arrival, the visitors were under intense pressure upfront from the start and went behind after just five minutes conceding a third penalty on their own 22. Fly half Dan Guarneri duly slotted the ball between the sticks to establish a three point lead. Aber withstood the pressure for the rest of the quarter until Guarneri took a second chance from an almost identical location to double the lead. But then Aber struck back immediately; they regained possession from the lineout and swung the ball out right along their threequarters. Wing Adam Carvell still had much to do when he took the ball 30 metres from the line but the speed merchant brushed off defenders and got to the line to touch down some 15 metres in from touch, his ninth try of the season. Aber skipper Jason Rees put over a fine conversion to put his side ahead at 6-7. That spurred more from the home pack and they soon found themselves pummelling the Aber line following a huge upfield kick from Guarneri. Aber were penalised twice at rucks five metres from their own line and eventually a quickly taken kick fed wing Matthew Stonham who worked his way through to score in the corner on the half hour. Aber defended well for the closing ten minutes of the half, but gave away important penalties. Eventually Penclawdd decided to settle for three points, Guarneri converting the 20 metre penalty just on the end of the half for a 14-7 interval lead.

The visitors were handed an early opportunity to cut the deficit just after the break but the long range kick just  drifted slightly wide. With a regrouped pack Aber hoped to fare better in the second half, but Penclawdd efficiently held their opponents at bay. In turn they put enormous pressure on the visitors once they fought their way deep into Aber territory, spurred on by the large and vociferous home crowd. The pressure had to tell in the end and it was flanker Rob Watkins who burst through the final few feet to the line as Penclawdd crossed in the left corner. A superb conversion from Guarneri put his side 21-7 ahead and things were becoming gloomy for the visitors. The weather was progressively becoming gloomier as well, the venue turning out to be (luckily and) perfectly placed to avoid the rainstorms on the journey down and also that clearly were not too far over the horizon all afternoon. But on the pitch it was the Penclawdd eight that were the clear winners. Aberystwyth did get the odd chance to break through but the home defence was strong. The home pack clearly showed themselves to be an efficient and well drilled unit, playing with confidence and knowing each others’ positioning on the field. They demonstrated and justified why they still have a 100% League record, a team that plays to its strengths rather than elaborate breaks from their backs. That is not to say that their backs were substandard, the Aber defence called upon constantly to quell attacks. As the minutes ticked away Aber were keen to score again to hopefully salvage a bonus point, but Penclawdd showed they were aware of this when, with three minutes to go, they gave up momentum to go for the line and opted for a goal kick from 35 metres. Guarneri inevitably landed it and at 24-7 down Aber’s quest was over. As the afternoon got ever darker and ominous raindrops started falling, Haverfordwest referee Chris Oliver brought proceedings to an end to give Penclawdd a well deserved victory, one that elevates them to the top of the table, a point ahead of their opponents but with an important game in hand.

The League season is now fast approaching the half point with just one game to go before fixtures are reversed and the teams play each other again. That match for Aberystwyth is at Plascrug next Saturday when the visitors will be Tycroes from the Ammanford area. The challenge again promises to be formidable and Aber will have their work cut out to claim their ninth victory.

Aberystwyth’s second string, the Athletic XV, are also at home entertaining Haverfordwest in the DPL Pembrokeshire League whilst the Youth XV travel to Pembroke Dock for their Scarlets Youth League match.