Division 3 west
Cardigan 22 Aberaeron 24
Aberaeron claimed the honours in the local derby match at the King George and they were worth their win as they dominated for long periods but the seagulls were forced to defend in numbers at the end as the Cardi’s came back strongly.
This hard fought affair was a typical derby game played hard but in excellent spirit with plenty of try scoring opportunities from both teams, with the seasiders a bit more clinical and far more consistent in both their defence and their discipline.
The visitors started very positively and went ahead after just a few minutes when scrum half Dafydd Llewellyn darted over following good work from number eight Tudur Jenkins and this try was converted by outside half Rhodri Jenkins. Further woe was to follow for the home team when outside half Iwan John was yellow carded for getting caught with his hands in a ruck and Cardigan were up against it.
A second Aberaeron try followed soon afterwards although it was hotly disputed as the ball was knocked on just as winger Rhodri Thomas dived over with Town back rower Colin Davies knocking the ball out of his grasp. However the official in charge was one of the few who did not notice the ball movement in front of the Gollop Stand and the visitors were 12-0 ahead and coasting.
Fly half John slotted over a penalty to reduce the deficit and the hosts created some excellent openings via free running full back and skipper John Lumb, centre Marcus Castle and back rower and former seagull Tom Taylor but the score remained at 12-3 at the break.
Cardigan hit back with a splendid try just after the interval when right winger Geraint Williams ran in from long range after powering his way around his marker and a further try from outstanding number eight Colin Davies in the clubhouse corner, from a front peel at a line out put his team ahead at 13-12. John added a super conversion from the touchline to add two more points and the game was delicately poised with little to choose between the teams.
However some sloppy defending by Cardigan changed all this as Aberaeron hit back with a try from powerful centre Tom Slinger following good hands from his midfield partner Ollie Sawyer, converted by Jenkins and another try soon followed with Cardigan again a man down following a yellow card. Left winger Thomas was the man who crossed as he and his colleagues took full advantage out wide with their extra man.
Cardigan looked on their way to a heavy defeat at this stage but they worked their way back into the game and were rewarded for their resilience when full back Lumb fielded a clever chip ahead from fly half John to score under the posts. The number ten added the extras to set up an exciting last five minutes with both teams enjoying chances to win. Aeron should have put the game to bed but they were held up on three occasions just inches from the try line.Cardigan had one glorious chance down the left flank in the dying seconds but they were unable to make it pay as they lost another player to a yellow card in Luke Palmer-Davies and Aberaeron held on for a narrow win which they deserved as they made far less mistakes and saw two tries disallowed.
Cardigan coach Colin Davies will have been generally pleased with the performance of his players and especially the youngest of them as they are showing a great deal of promise. Fly half John varied his kicking well and inside him scrum half Gwern Phillips is maturing into a fine player. Second row Dafydd Rotie produced a polished performance as did Sion Phillips when he replaced him and hooker Palmer Davies was prominent.Winger Geraint Williams also looked impressive and scored a superb try.
The best of the lot though was the oldest on the field in tight head Andrew Fletcher who was all over the park, playing with a smile on his face and solid in the scrum. It was only when he went off and Cardigan made a few changes that the scrum started to creak.
Aberaeron coach Justin Lloyd will be pleased to get a win under his belt after defeat at the hands of Llanybydder and will have been buoyed by the all round performance of his pack.
