RUGBY ROUND UP WEST COAST
Division 1 West
Aberystwyth 26 Felinfoel 30
Uncontested scrums, a hotly debated subject in many bars and rugby clubs reared its head once again when Felinfoel turned up with just a bare fifteen players.
This meant that as there were no replacement front rowers all scrums were uncontestable from the start and as usual the game descended into a farce.
All the things worked on in training in the week at Plascrug went out of the window and the supporters were treated to the strangest of games.
Passive scrums are very unpopular with both players and supporters despite the obvious requirement for protection in the front row and this appeared to affect the mind set of the home team to such an extent that the match was almost over by the break with the Ceredigion men 30-0 down.
Felinfoel outside-half Aled Roberts opened the scoring early on when he kicked two early penalties and it came as no surprise when the Llanelli side released right winger Rhys Willis to score in the corner to increase the lead.
Aberystwyth hit back and gained some decent ball and mounted a series of attacks with forwards and backs combining well but there was further woe when Roberts intercepted a wayward pass on his own 22 and he ran clear to score a try which he also converted.
The same player caught the Plascrug side with their pants down once again soon afterwards when he intercepted another poor pass to burst over for a try that he converted and the visitors wrapped up the bonus point try just before the break when full-back Glen Williams scored a try to end the half with his team thirty points ahead.
Just after half-time Aber substituted their two props and put on two young back-rowers Steff Evans and Gareth Jones and went on the attack. Captain Lee Evans showed the way by running hard from deep and he and stormed through unopposed to score near the posts for Steffan Rees to convert.
Felinfoel seemed to be tiring at this stage and with Aber increasing the tempo of their game Paul Stubbs took a quick tap- penalty and ran strongly and when tackled gave a superb off-load to the supporting Gareth Flynn to crash over by the posts.
Steffan Rees again converted the try and the come back was on with the visitors tiring and having no substitutes and reduced to thirteen men following two yellow cards.
The hosts pushed hard and they were rewarded when from a quickly taken tap-penalty, Dean Coleman scored wide-out and another try soon followed when flanker Stubbs turned the ball over deep in the Aber 22, and this was moved quickly through the backs to release full-back Llyr Thomas. He was hauled down a couple of metres short of the line but Aber recycled the ball and Arwel Lloyd dived over to score near the posts. Steffan Rees converted to make the score 26-30 to set up a very exciting finale with just a few minutes to go.
Felinfoel who lost another man to the bin as they tried every trick in the book to spoil the ball down and slow things down managed to hang on to their lead and sneak through for the win. (pics by Mike Binks Aberystwyth RFC)
(The Crymych v Gorseinon game was called off due to the weather ).
Division 2 West
Fishguard & Goodwick 30 Pontyberem 15
Fishguard & Goodwick gained sweet revenge for a stuffing away at Bont with a well deserved victory to keep them miles clear of the relegation slot that looks like being claimed by Haverfordwest who are now well adrift.
The seagulls produced another excellent all round team performance with their forwards in particular driving well and they were led superbly by the likes of Chris Sousha, captain Gavin Walsh and man of the match Simon James at number eight.
The Seagulls were 17-10 in front at the break thanks to tries from Gwilym Evans, Chris Shousha and Simon James and a conversion from Kial Keane.
Matthew Murphy crossed for a try for Bont, converted by Mike Sauro who also added a penalty.
The visitors reduced the deficit after the interval with a try from Iestyn Morgan before a further try from hard running back rower Shousha which was converted by Keane put the seagulls out sight. Keane added two late penalties to complete the scoring.
(Pics by Donna Butler)
The Tenby United v Llanybydder match was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
Division 3 West C
Bynea 10 Aberaeron 21
Aberaeron continued with their recent run of good form to register their third win in four games.
The seasiders who were hampered by a number of disruptions through games being called off are making the most of some regular rugby and were well worth their win away at Bynea.
The visitors started well and through their forwards set up the opening try when from a lineout and driving maul, flanker Sean Stephens drove over to claim the touchdown and his first for the club, which was converted by Jenkins.
Bynea hit back when their number eight picked up from a scrum twenty meters out and powered his way over to touch down under the posts. The visitors then added the conversion and a penalty a few minutes later to turn the game in their favour at 10-7.
Aberaeron though bounced back when flanker and top try scorer Aaron Lewis capped a fine individual performance with a try and just before the break hooker Connor McCaffrey added the third try following a break by scrum half Gareth James and the conversion put Aberaeron well ahead at the interval by 21-10.
The second half was a messy affair littered with mistakes and not helped by the home team asking for uncontested scrums and despite a number of promising moves by the visitors there were no further scores with Abeeaeron running out deserved winners by 21-10
(The St Clears v Cardigan and the Pembroke Dock Quins v Tregaron match in Division 3 West A were also called off.)
In Division 3West B Lampeter slumped to another defeat when they were defeated at home by Betws 34-15.
