RUGBY WEST round up.
Division 1 West
Aberystwyth 22 Gorseinon 0
Aberystwyth gained sweet revenge for a narrow defeat away at Gorseinon with a comfortable victory at Plascrug to consolidate their third place spot just below leaders Kidwelly and Llanelli Wanderers.
The match started with both teams intent on throwing the ball about but it was the hosts who almost took the lead when a chip over the ‘Gors’ defensive line from outside half Steffan Rees almost put in Connor Pitt for the first try but a cruel bounce took the ball away from him. Minutes later Aberystwyth ran in for the opening try of the game when open side flanker Paul Stubbs made a powerful burst and set up winger Llyr Thomas to cross out wide.
The visitors came storming back with a break by centre Tim Payne but his chip and chase was kicked into touch and the ball was transferred back up the other end of the ground and hard working back rower Stubbs crashed over for a try.
Gorseinon upped the tempo after the break and Aber were forced to defended vigorously and they managed to soak up the pressure and responded with a try created by outside half Steffan Rees who set up centre Steff Rees for a touchdown and the third of the match for his team.
Aberystwyth set about securing the all-important fourth try in the final ten minutes
raised their game to further heights, desperate to get the fourth try and the bonus point and more good work by flanker Stubbs to turn the ball over resulted in his team being awarded a penalty and he barged his way over from close range and this try was converted by Llyr Thomas to complete a 22-0 victory.(Pics by Mike Binks Aberystwyth RFC)
Crymych 22 Kidwelly 20-Check Sportsline website for full report and pics.
Division 2 West
Tycroes 25 Llanybydder 14
An under strength Llanybydder team moved a step closer to the relegation zone after they were beaten by Tycroes
The Carmarthenshire side travelled to Cae’r Gelli with a number of players missing and they were weakened further on the morning of the game when influential skipper Stuart Phillips and loosehead Zach Lowther had to drop out because of re occurring injuries.
Tycroes enjoyed first use of the wind and slope advantage in the opening half and started positively with their backs and forwards combining well and this early pressure led to a try from wing Gareth John. Minutes later powerful prop Trystan Morgan barged his way over and the rest of the afternoon started to look a little bleak.
However Llanybydder stuck to their guns and soaked up the pressure and just as they looked to be hanging on until half time Tycroes struck again when stand off Dean Bronham crossed near the posts for the third try of the game.
The visitors used the wind advantage well after the break and they gradually clawed their way back into the match with No 8 Ricky Davies and back row colleagues in Wyn Davies and John Evans hugely influential and just as they looked set to open their account Tycroes broke away and John James crossed for the home side’s bonus point try.
Llanybydder though to their credit came back once again and they were rewarded with an excellent try from hooker Alun Davies who rounded off after several phases of play and a second try soon followed as the visitors confidence grew when full-back Steff Davies opened up the home defence with an incisive run off a super angle and Davies added his second conversion of the match to reduce the home lead to 20 – 14 with just a few minutes remaining.
Llan pushed hard for a third try but they were caught out late on when Tycroes put the game to bed when powerful centre Mathew Lemon crossed to complete the scoring at 25-14.
Division 3 West A
Cardigan 45 Neyland 3 Check Sportsline website for full report and pics.
Division 3 West C
Aberaeron 31 Cefneithin 0
Aberaeron made light work of their return to league action at home with a convincing win over Cefneithin.
The seasiders who hadn’t played on home soil for many months started well and went ahead with a penalty from the boot of Rhodri Jenkins and despite a rally by the visiting team which tested the Aberaeron defence they managed to break up field and crossed for two tries in quick succession through Aaron Lewis and Sean Stephens, both of these from rolling mauls near the try line.
Another Jenkins penalty extended the advantage after the restart but it was the introduction of replacement number eight Tudur Jenkins that changed the game as he quickly claimed a brace of tries following good work by his pack and a fifth try arrived late on when Connor McCaffery dived over for his first ever try for the club.
Defeat for Lampeter and Tregaron
There was no joy for Lampeter in Division 3West B as they surprisingly came unstuck at home against Llangadog by just a few points whilst Tregaron who gave Division 3 West A league leaders St Clears a tough time eventually succumbed to a 17-5 defeat against the Saints.
Llyr Ebsworth, James Davies and hooker Dafydd Page were the try scorers for the Saints with one of these converted by Geraint Jones. St Clears go head to head with title rivals Milford this weekend and then Cardigan seven days later.
