Division 3 west A
Aberaeron 8 Cardigan 3
Aberaeron completed a derby double over local rivals Cardigan and they were well worth their win as they played the conditions far better and had they kicked their goals their victory would have been far more comfortable. Outside half Rhodri Jenkins had an off day with the boot which is unusual for him but he and his side were always the likely winners despite the very tight margin at the end.
Cardigan were forced to defend for very long periods in the second half as they battled the elements as well as the opposition but they made the seasiders work hard for the solitary try that effectively won the match for them.
It was the visitors though who opened the scoring when centre Emyr Harries slotted over an early penalty but this was to be the only score of the half as chances were very scarce and the match was fought out amongst the forwards with the home side having the upper hand, especially in the scrum.
The seagulls upped the tempo after the break and fly half Jenkins kept Cardigan pinned down deep in their half for most of the forty minutes and player coach Colin Davies and his men were forced to tackle their hearts out as the likes of number eight Tudur Jenkins and front rowers Owain Wozencroft, Sion Evans and Alex Danton made the hard yards. The scores were levelled on fifty minutes when Jenkins was eventually on target with a penalty after missing three attempts with Cardigan forced to concede under pressure.
Aberaeron continued to batter away at the Cardigan line and it was eventually breached when back rower Jenkins emerged from a pile of bodies following a series of rolling mauls to claim the all important try and his sixth of the season.
The seasiders pushed hard for a second try but their opponents showed huge determination to keep them out through a well organised defensive line and Aberaeron were forced to settle for a single try and a narrow win that consolidates their fourth place in the table.
