LOCAL RIVALS WARMING UP

Wins for Cardigan and Aberaeron as they warm up for their local derby contest but a heavy defeat for Tregaron at Neyland.

Division 3 west

Cardigan 13 Laugharne 0

Appalling conditions brought an early finish to a number of games in the west but the division 3 match at the King George, Cardigan was played out until the end despite a second half slog in the mud and deepening puddles of water.

Cardigan player coach Colin Davies who scored the opening try in his team’s well deserved win over Laugharne said he was very pleased with the way his team adapted to the awful conditions and delighted to over turn a defeat against the Cocklemen earlier in the season.

This win was built on a solid forward platform with none better than the likes of number eight Davies, flanker Tom Taylor and front rowers Andrew Fletcher, Will Brice and Bedwyr Davies who carried well throughout and the home pack held the upper hand for long periods.

Davies powered his way through several Laugharne defenders before he slid over the try line for the opening touchdown to add to a penalty from centre Emyr Harries as they took advantage of the strong wind. However any help from the elements was largely nullified by the deteriorating conditions as the driving rain turned the pitch into a quagmire with handling conditions extremely difficult.

Veteran prop Fletcher, who scored a superb individual try the previous weekend against St Davids added another to his growing collection when he was driven over the line by his fellow pack members with second rows Sion Phillips and Dean Harries and flanker Gruff Lewis instrumental in the build up to put his team 13 points ahead midway through the second half.

The Cardi’s were forced to defend vigorously as the hosts pushed for a score through hard working players in Tom Jameson, Tom Davies and Owain Thomas but superb tackling from centres Harries and Llyr Jones and young winger Joe Mansfield kept them out. As the game closed out back rower Davies and his colleagues were forced to keep the ball up their jumpers as the conditions made life far too difficult for half backs Iwan John and Tom Dunn and Cardigan completed their fifth victory of the season.

Next up for Davies and co is a short trip north to Parc Drefach to take on neighbours Aberaeron after Christmas.

Llanybydder 9 Aberaeron 23

Aberaeron gained sweet revenge for defeat at the hands of Llanybydder on the opening day of the season in a match that will not be remembered for the quality of the rugby.

The howling wind and heavy showers ensured that this game was going to be a forwards orientated arm wrestle from the off and it was the seagulls who were better in this department with their strong pack taking control.

Aberaeron, despite facing the elements in the first period were able to dominated possession with their scrum superiority providing the opportunities to take them to a healthy lead at the break.

The visitors were able to exert pressure from the off with a succession of rolling mauls and these eventually brought their rewards. The benefactor was number eight Tudur Jenkins after the home scrum was forced to retreat and outside half Rhodri Jenkins kept up his excellent form with the conversion and was on hand again to convert after another period of pressure gave Jenkins the opening for his second try.

The hosts gave themselves some hope with a couple of close range penalties by Steffan Richards, only for Jenkins to extend the lead with a difficult penalty but Richards had the final say of the half when he chipped over another three pointer to reduce the visiting lead to just eight points.

With the benefit of the conditions after the turnaround, it should have been a major factor for Aberaeron to capitalise, but a combination of a defiant home defence and freezing rain restricted any real try scoring opportunities as the ball went to ground.

Aeron were forced to keep things very tight and it was the ever dependent boot of Jenkins that paved the way to victory as he added another couple of penalties to secure victory and the players from both sides were relieved to hear the final whistle.

Next up for the Seagulls is a home game against neighbours Cardigan.

Across the county Tregaron suffered a heavy defeat away at Neyland and the All Blacks now top division 3 west although they have played three more games than second place Milford and the Mariners are only two points adrift.

The Division 1 west game between Tenby and Crymych was abandoned when official in charge Mr Peter Edwards decided that conditions were too dangerous at Heywood Lane as deep puddles of water began to develop.

In division two west Fishguard were three points ahead against Llwchwr before their match was abandoned on 23 minutes as the gale force wind and very heavy conditions made playing rugby almost impossible.

Cardigan v Laugharne Pics by Julie John.