Fixture

Aberystwyth 26pts  Tycroes 7

The first half of Aberystwyth’s season on the WRU second division came to an end in some style at Plascrug on Saturday as they secured their ninth bonus point win.  The rains of the previous days abated to a large extent for the period of the match, but the two sides had to contend with horrendously strong winds coming from a variety of directions; that the afternoon produced five tries is testament to the quality of play as the hardiest of supporters were treated to an entertaining afternoon.

From a slightly late start Aberystwyth were soon on the attack and the very first scrum gave warning that the Aber eight would be a formidable challenge for the visiting Tycroes forwards. When Aber were awarded a penalty some 35 metres out near the touchline in the tenth minute of play, they wasted no time in kicking for touch and from that lineout the Aber forwards took over and marched towards the line, Tycroes in retreat. The pressure was intense and it was Kiwi flanker Oakley Johnston who secured the touchdown for the home side’s first try. Minutes later the Aber backs showed their capabilities when wing Adam Carvell broke loose up the right touchline, kicked ahead to find Gruff Jones in exactly the right place, but the scrum half was stopped inches short of the line. Tycroes cleared from there, but Carvell was soon off on a break again before being caught five metres short of the line. As has happened so often this season, Paul Stubbs, this time playing in the centre, was in support and he forced his way over for the second try, Skipper Jason Rees landed the conversion and Aberystwyth were 12-0 up. Aber continued to attack for the remainder of the half but the visitors’ defence kept them at bay. The overall picture at half time however was that the home side were comfortably ahead.

The wind had been swirling and inconsistent but on balance had favoured the visitors in the first half. There was an expectation therefore that the home side should be able to capitalise during the second period, but the half time team talk clearly had a more dramatic effect on Tycroes, for it was they who attacked with gusto from the restart. In return Aberystwyth’s defence was excellent near their own line as they withstood ten torrid minutes in front of the clubhouse.  Kicking upfield to safety was not easy however as the wing got hold of many a clearance kick. When one such kick went to Tycroes hands just inside the Aber half the visitors caught the home side unawares by spreading the ball wide and a break up the left flank, aided by a couple of missed tackles from the Aber defence, set visiting fly half Dean Bromham loose to cross the line for a try. Full back Carwyn Richards added the conversion and it was suddenly game-on with Tycroes just five points in arrears. For ten more minutes the visitors came at Aber repeatedly and it took the entire armoury of the home defensive skills to maintain their lead. Frustration understandably crept into Tycroes’s play after all this and when Aberystwyth finally broke clear and set their backs loose, a deliberate knock-on to stop an Aber attack earned the visitors a yellow card. The home side continued to press and repeated scrums put the Tycroes eight under strain. Young Port Talbot referee Andrew Moule’s patience finally gave way at a collapsed set piece and Aberystwyth were awarded a penalty try; a second yellow card was a double blow for the visitors. Rees took full advantage of the conversion kick being in front of the posts and his side were now ahead by a much healthier margin of 19 to 7.

Aberystwyth were now back in control and the much sought after fourth try came in the 65^th minute. Tycroes had tried to attack from deep inside their own half, but were robbed of the ball just over half way. The ball smartly went left to Carwyn Evans and the winger put in an impressive 55 metre run to score in the left corner. An equally impressive conversion from Rees made it 26-7. Tycroes did have a final flurry at the end but were brought down just short of the Aber line. Even though it may have been a couple of minutes early, the referee’s shrill blast brought matters to an end with five more League points for the home side.

Aber’s record has been impressive in the first 11 games, winning nine (all with a bonus point) but also amassing  56 tries, far ahead of any other side. They lie one point behind Penclawdd at the top of the table but there is now a healthy 14 point gap between them and third place. They  start the return run of fixtures next Saturday when they entertain Hendy at Plascrug, a side they beat by 30-11 down there on the opening Saturday of the season.  Meanwhile the Athletic XV travel to Pembroke Dock for their DPL Pembrokeshire League match.