ABERYSTWYTH SNEAK IT

Rugby round up-Aberystwyth edge out Gorseinon but defeat for Llanybydder and Fishguard and Goodwick.

Division 1 west

Aberystwyth 7 Gorseinon 0

A match winning try by outside half Llyr Thomas in time added on sealed a dramatic victory for Aberystwyth.

This game looked like ending in a very rare 0-0 stalemate despite having produced many anxious moments especially late on when both teams looked to take a risk and manufacture a winning score. The deadlock continued into stoppage time until Gorseinon were awarded a line-out just inside their opponents half with the referee having called last play.

The visitors bravely tried to execute a move across their backline but the ball was knocked forward and found its way into the hands of centre Tom Evans who broke through and passed inside to stand off Llyr Thomas who scampered in under the posts. He converted his try to make the final score 7 – 0 and the final whistle was blown.

Despite the lack of scores this was a very evenly contested physical game with the tackling from both sides uncompromising with one crunching tackle from man of the match Lee Gower in particular visibly lifting the Aber players to greater efforts.

The hosts started the game very positively and exerted early pressure in the visitors 22 meter area but came away with nothing. Aber were intent on running any ball kicked through by Gorseinon and made some ground on a number of occasions with the back three eager to attack with the ball in hand.

Gorseinon gradually imposed themselves on the game and they launched a series of attacks which the Plascrug men dealt with comfortably with their first-up tackling being particularly effective.The line-out work was wayward at times but from one clean catch and drive Aber made inroads into the danger area but were tackled into touch.

Home centres Tom Evans and Carwyn Evans tackled strongly and won a number of penalties and towards the end of the half Aberystwyth secured some decent scrum possession and they had a number of promising attacks. The half ended with Aber on the attack down the right wing but a pin point grubber kick beyond the defence unfortunately bounced into touch with right winger Coulton steaming on to it.

The second half continued in much the same vein with neither team’s attacks causing the defences any real trouble but the visitors enjoyed a purple patch and subjected their opponents to a series of attacks which Aber defended resiliently and were eventually rewarded with a penalty to relieve the pressure.

With supporters looking anxiously at their watches Gorseinon gave it one last hurrah and spun the ball wide but an error in midfield saw the ball go loose and the Swansea based team were forced to sit and watch Thomas cross under the woodwork for the deciding score.

Division 2 West

Whitland 96 Llanybydder 0

Llanybydder suffered one of their biggest defeats ever when they were battered at Whitland but they will bounce back.

The Pembrokeshire side who head the division following an unbeaten run were far too powerful up front and too many aces behind but this result came as no major surprise considering the difficulties that have faced Llanybydder so far this season.

The visitors have struggled to field a strong squad and have been forced to rely on a very young crop of players and it is going to be a long hard season.

Fly half Nico Setaro helped himself to a total of 36 points for the Borderers and his team ran in for a total of 14 tries and the game was all but over at the break with the hosts 40 points ahead. thanks to tries by prop Mike Ryan, flanker Ryan Michael, full back Scott Newton, centre Alun Howells, winger Liam Price and outside half Nico Setaro, who added five conversions. Speed merchant Price went on to complete a hat-trick of tries and other scores came from centre Josh Thomas who bagged a brace, replacement scrum half Adam Davies, second row Ben Kirk and centre Johnny Thomas. Setaro also added another try and he slotted over all his conversions.

Fishguard and Goodwick 17 Loughor 24

A poor opening half performance that saw the Seagulls ship 19 points cost them in the end as they were given far too much to do and time ran out.

Tries from full back Trevor Thomas and scrum half Tom Davies, plus a conversion by Davies and a penalty try saw Fishguard well down at the break, but they mounted a concerted fightback.

Fly half Alun George opened The Seagulls account with a penalty and he converted a try by centre Gareth Adamson to close the gap to nine points but Loughor hit back with a bonus point try by hooker Mike Little before hard working flanker Chris Shousha powered his way over to set up a tense final ten minutes with the conversion by George putting his team within seven points.

However the visitors managed to see the game out and Fishguard had to settle for a losing bonus point.