Fixture

In a closely contested game, during which neither set of supporters knew who would win until the last play, Aberystwyth RFC came away with a well-deserved away win against Pontarddulais RFC.

On an overcast and drizzly day in South Wales, Pontarddulais were the much brighter side at the start of the match. From their kick off the hosts pressed Aber back, kicking an early offside penalty against Aber to the corner, winning the lineout and rucking to within 5 metres of the visitor’s try line. After a Pontarddulais three-quarter move, full-back Iwan Evans crossed for an unconverted try. The restart was cleared by Pontarddulais back to the visitor’s 22 metres and the hosts kept up the pressure by kicking penalties against Aber into the corner. A well won lineout and rolling maul resulted in Pontarddulais’ Joseph Nethel scoring a try converted by Iestyn Scott.

Aber now had to dig deep and from the restart they were quickly back in the hosts’ 22metres, but good defensive clearing kicks relieved the danger. Transgressions by Pontarddulais allowed Aber to kick penalties deep into the hosts’ red zone. An Aber lineout 5 metres out, and a rolling maul, resulted in a try for Owain Bonsall, converted by Dylan Benjamin. Aber were back in the game. Both sides now tried to exert territorial dominance and evenly contested scrums and rucks from box kicks held play in midfield. Aber’s lineout was functioning well, and the scrum was just about holding its own against a bigger pack. Penalties for both sides were kicked to touch in midfield but no side really gained any advantage from their resulting lineouts and rucks. A lineout to Aber on the hosts’ 22 metres was rucked in field by Aber, and continued pressure, yielded a penalty in front of the posts, converted into points by Benjamin.

Clearing kicks by Pontarddulais were returned by Aber who attempted to get their backs more involved in play. A penalty awarded to Aber for offside 30 metres out from the hosts’ try line was converted by Benjamin. Aber had a narrow half time lead.

Half time score: Pontarddulais 12 Aberystwyth 13.

Starting the second half in the lead gave Aber added impetus, but the hosts were resilient in defence. Play was gradually pushed back into Aber’s 22 metres and a penalty conceded by the visitors in front of the posts saw Pontaddulais regain the lead with three points. Aber were quickly pressing again from the restart and rucking well in the loose but were held in midfield. Both sides had brief periods of play threatening their opponents’ defensive lines in the 22 metres but neither team could break through into decisive attacking positions. A free kick to Aber on halfway and a quickly tapped penalty pushed the visitors to within 15 metres of the hosts’ try line. A penalty awarded to Aber, and a yellow card to Pontarddulais, allowed Aber to regain the lead with three points from the boot of Benjamin.

The hosts were on the front-foot from the restart, but good solid Aber defence kept the action in midfield. An Aber lineout 30 metres out resulted in a good line break and, after a series of well won rucks, a penalty to Aber was kicked to the corner. Aber were now applying constant pressure to Pontarddulais’ try line with numerous rucks less than 5 metres out. Eventually the constant and concerted pressure by Aber paid off. After pulling the hosts’ defence in with rucks, Aber spread the ball wide and Austin Ellis-Jones scored an unconverted try in the corner. The kick off was fielded by Aber and, with time up, cleared into touch.

Final score: Pontarddulais 15 Aberystwyth 21.

A close encounter that was well contested throughout. Aber showed great all-round team spirit to keep on plugging away, gaining a well-deserved and hard earned away win. A very good team performance by Aber.