WRU National League Division 3 West   Saturday 12^th April 2008

Aberystwyth 35pts Haverfordwest 24

Regardless of their respective positions in the League, matches between these two sides have generally been competitive, and last Saturday’s encounter was no exception, serving up eight tries. With December’s planned meeting at Merlin’s Bridge falling foul of the weather, this was the first time Aberystwyth and Haverfordwest had played this season. Although placed fifth and sixth in the table, the home side were 17 League points clear of their opponents before the match, underlining the way in which the season has carved up Division 3 West into clearly defined sections. In the event however, with both sides slightly below full strength, they were reasonably matched on the day, end to end rugby with Aberystwyth consistently ahead, but Haverfordwest never giving up.

Roadworks had delayed northbound traffic into Aberystwyth on Saturday and the late arrival of both the opposition and the referee resulted in a 15 minute delay in kicking off. The visitors took the game to Aberystwyth at the outset but the home defence stayed firm, and struck back in the best style possible when they entered the Haverfordwest 22 after 10 minutes. Following a forward scramble for the line the ball came out to fly half Jason Rees who crossed for the opening try. In the absence of Gwilym Evans, Rees also assumed kicking duties on the day and he duly converted his own try. Haverfordwest came back immediately and came very close to scoring in the right corner, thwarted by great defensive work by Aber’s Arwel Lloyd and Eifion Gwynne. Aber’s defence swung into action again and once they cleared their line they countered well, threatening at the opposite end. And so it continued in end to end fashion until the home side broke through again in the 25^th minute, young centre Rhys Morgan receiving the ball 15 metres out, piercing the Haverfordwest defence to cross for his side’s second try. There was a feeling that Aber were starting to get on top, but this lasted barely four minutes until visiting full back Darren Salmon took the ball on half way near the touchline. He proceeded to run along the flank, convincing the visiting touch judge that he did not cross the line, and cut in, catching the Aber defence napping for once to cross under the posts. Scrum half Mike Venables added the conversion and his side were back in the match. It was now Aberystwyth’s turn to strike back but now Haverfordwest held them out until, in the 40^th minute seemingly the whole of the home pack scrambled to the line, where flanker Llywelyn Evans claimed his side’s third try. Rees’s conversion restored a 12 point lead, but the visitors countered immediately and came very near to scoring twice in the dying seconds of the half. An illegal tackle by the home side denied the visitors a try in the corner, and from the penalty more danger ensued as Haverfordwest made for the tryline near the posts; a try saving tackle by centre Paul Stubbs forcing a knock-on and the shrill blast of the half time whistle.

After the restart the visitors enjoyed their best period and within ten minutes had reduced Aber’s lead to a mere two points. A Mike Venables long range penalty from 45 metres in centre-field was soon followed by a try from lock Giles Vaughan. Venables’ conversion closed the gap to two and the danger signs to the home side continued when a relatively straightforward penalty attempt went astray. As the fourth quarter approached, Aber’s attacking assumed a greater focus and repeated pressure led to a scrum inside the Haverfordwest twenty two; from here the ball was flung out to centre Paul Stubbs who sliced through a hapless defence crossing the line untouched. A conversion from Rees opened a gap again and the home side had their tails up as they went for the Haverfordwest line again. Brought down just short, Pembrokeshire referee John Griffiths took play back 15 metres for a penalty to Aber and Rees slotted the kick to restore a 12 point lead at 29-17. Within four minutes however Venables shaved three points off that with a 25 metre penalty, but almost immediately the Aber threequarters got into action again, wing Steve Brown being the man to take the ball, over the line for their fifth try and a 34-20 advantage. A bizarre quick throw in near half way saw Haverfordwest fling the ball to the other side of the field and despite suggestions of a forward pass Venables was awarded a try in the corner for the final score of the game.

Aberystwyth deserved their victory, but perhaps at times made heavy weather of it. As the end of the season approaches, Plascrug now stages the final league match there this term this coming Saturday when the light and dark blues entertain Newcastle Emlyn. Local derbies are always difficult to call, and this promises to be an entertaining end-of-season match.

Alan Jones