RUGBY WEST-Round up.
Division 1 West
Loughor 20 Aberystwyth 12
For the very first time this season Aberystwyth were unable to cross the whitewash as they slumped to a disappointing third defeat on the bounce.
The visitors though started well enough and were quickly on the scoresheet with an excellent penalty by stand off Steff Rees from just inside the Loughor half. The hosts then hit back with a penalty by full-back Jamie George and there was little to choose between the teams.
Both sides moved the ball wide and the defences had their work cut out to contain their opponents’ attacks with the Aber eight enjoying supremacy in the scrums and after three set pieces and three huge shoves they finally won a penalty which Rees again converted from 30 metres out for a narrow 6-3 lead. Loughor bounced back when powerful prop Nathan Thomas went over for a try from a driving maul that was well executed which George converted to move them into a 10 – 6 lead.
Just before half time Aber were dealt a huge blow when winger Dean Coleman was adjudged to have tip-tackled his opposite number and was shown a red card.
The Plascrug outfit attacked from the kick-off in the second half and gained a penalty 15 metres out which Rees again converted to take them up to a single point of Loughor at 10 -9.
Rees was again successful with a penalty to put the visitors ahead at 10-12 but this lead proved to be short-lived as George landed a short-range penalty for Loughor to go 13 -12 ahead.
Aber were still in with a chance of gaining a losing bonus point but the home team crashed over for a try when from an Aber lineout fifteen metres out from their own line Loughor stole possession and veteran scrum half Steve Wake went over. George’s conversion completed the scoring at 20-12.
Pics by Mike Binks Aberystwyth RFC
Division 2 West
Llanybydder 14 Tumble 16
A late try from Tumble hooker Dafydd Humphreys stole a first away success of the season for the visitors just as Llanybydder looked set for a win at Parc OJ.
In a very even match, it was the Magpies who took the lead with a penalty from Leighton McKenna. The home side replied with a period of pressure and were rewarded when full-back Steff Davies hit a good angle from a pass from scrum-half Llyr James to cross for a try, which he converted himself. Tumble’s well-drilled driving lineout became more effective as the match wore on and hooker Dafydd Humphreys was driven over by his pack for a try to make the half-time score 8 -7 in favour of the visitors.
The home side started the second half very brightly and in form number eight Ricky Davies barged his way over from close range for a try which was, converted by full-back Davies. McKenna replied with a penalty to leave the home side leading 14 -11.
Both teams enjoyed try scoring chances late on and with time running out and Llanybydder looking like they had done just enough to edge out their opponents Tumble had one final opportunity with a lineout five metres from the line and Humphreys claimed his second try of the match when he was driven over by his pack to steal the win.
Mumbles 35 Fishguard 26
A late try from Mumbles full back Andrew Evans clinched a win for the home side following an entertaining tussle at Underhill Park.
It was the seagulls though who opened the scoring when Alun George slotted over a penalty before James Griffiths responded for the hosts with a three pointer and this was followed up with a Mike Jenkins try for Fishguard to put them back into the lead. Mumbles gradually got on top as the game progressed and they were rewarded for their monopoly of possession when blind side flanker Lewis Buckley and No 8 Tyler Owen crossed for tries. Buckley then added a second which was converted to put the hosts 20-11 ahead.
George chipped over another penalty to reduce the deficit and tries from Ed Bendall and Simon James set up a tense final fifteen minutes.
Mumbles responded again with a try from winger Flynn and a penalty before a converted try from Andrew Ebbs completed the scoring to secure the win.
Division 3 West C
Aberaeron 25 Pontiets 7
Aberaeron gained sweet revenge over a dour Pontiets outfit at Parc Drefach with a performance that offers plenty of reason for optimism next season.
The seasiders took an early lead with a penalty from Rhodri Jenkins and a first try soon followed as captain for the day Gethin Hughes emerged from a pile of bodies to register the score after he was driven over by his forwards.
Owain Wozencraft was on hand to capitalise on another forward orientated surge to claim the second try and this was just reward well drilled work by the home forwards.
Pontiets came back strongly after the break and they enjoyed their best period of the match and they hit back with a try by Ricky Guest and the successful conversion by Aled Williams reduced the deficit to a single score.
Aberaeron though regrouped and resumed control and returning captain Alex Danton crossed near the touchline following another of period of heavy pressure to extend the lead once more.
The Ceredigion side went in search of the bonus point try and this duly arrived when once again the forwards combined collectively to drive over once again with the conversion by Jenkins putting the game beyond the reach of the visitors.
Pics by Nick Hermann
