WRU National League Division 3 West 22nd March 2008

Laugharne 19pts Aberystwyth 16

Aberystwyth’s Easter Saturday visit to Wooford Park in Laugharne ended in the cruellest of disappointments as the home side stole the game at the very last. The strong biting end-to-end wind in the hilltop setting was always going to make for a difficult game and both sides were keen to make the most of it. With the wind behind their backs in the first half it was imperative that the visitors built up an advantage big enough to defend in the second; in the event 11 points was not quite enough.

The match started bizarrely when Aberystwyth were given a scoring opportunity in the third minute when Laugharne transgressed on their own 22; full back Geraint Evans valiantly struck for goal, convincing both the home and away touch judges to raise their flags, but Llanelli referee Ken Bowen thought otherwise and over-ruled, denying the visitors their three points. Little did anyone know at the time that those three points would eventually have changed the result of the game and even, in the fullness of time, even perhaps the outcome of the League championship. When both flags went up to another Evans kick four minutes later, Bowen this time agreed and the visitors opened their account.

The next half hour proved disappointingly frustrating for the visitors as Laugharne started to get territorial supremacy as Aber made unnecessary errors whenever they tried to get away. As the first half minutes whiled away, it was clear that such a slim advantage was too fragile to defend but shortly before the interval the clouds brightened for the few Aber supporters thanks again to their full back. An excellent penalty over 30 metres out wide of the posts was impressive in the gusting wind, but within minutes the same player received the ball deep in his own half, shimmied a break and raced 60 metres through startled defenders before feeding team mate Jason Rees. The centre duly passed out to left wing Bryn Evans who crossed for a superb try. The referee’s whistle signalled the end of the half and Aber had a double figure lead.

Although it was not clear that this was enough, Aber’s lot improved shortly after the interval. A cynical foul on Aber flanker Llŷr ap Hywel earned home number eight Ian Jones a yellow card and Aber capitalised on their numerical advantage. Fly half Gary Williams shot away from a set piece to be brought down short of the line but expertly fed his full back, who was on hand as usual. Evans’ conversion of his own try was held up by the wind, falling just short, but things now looked much better for the visitors with a 16 point lead.

Consolidation and control was now the order of the day, but Aber failed to display sufficient patience and committed too many basic errors. The turning point was probably 13 minutes into the half when nonchalant Aber passing allowed Laugharne to make full use of the wind, pummelling the ball deep into the Aber 22. Home wing Geraint Beynon seemed to be winning the chase to the line, but opposite number Bryn Evans was adjudged to have pulled him back. Laugharne nevertheless got the touchdown but referee Bowen served a double whammy by awarding a penalty try and dispatching Evans to the sin bin for ten minutes. Five points then became seven, and Laugharne made full use of their one man advantage with their tails up. Sustained pressure eventually led to a try for substitute lock Andrew Phillips, but Beynon’s conversion attempt sailed wide leaving the home side still four points adrift as the clock ticked into the final quarter.

Both kickers had unsuccessful penalty attempts as they failed to allow adequately for the conditions, and as full time approached it seemed that Aberystwyth might well depart with a win. The home side never gave up however and were especially keen to take advantage of a free kick awarded to them on their own 10 metre line in the 82nd minute. Dangerous moments for Aber were quickly averted however when the home scrum half fluffed a quick restart. The ensuing scrum should have been the signal for |Aber to calmly control the closing seconds; a knock-on however gave the scrum back to Laugharne just inside the Aber half. Smart passing out left taxed the Aber defence and in the 84th minute Beynon crossed some five metres in from touch to snatch the spoils. A lull in the wind resulted in an easier conversion and the referee’s signal extended to calling no-side. A jubilant Laugharne contingent were as overjoyed as Aber were deflated, but the top of table clash had gone to the home side, bolstering their chances, and paring Aber’s hopes.

The Plascrug men now have a difficult six match run-in to the end of the season knowing that one more slip-up will completely dispel any slim promotion hopes. That run-in starts at Plascug next Saturday with the visit of Amman United; the visitors are lowly placed in the table, but will be well aware that they very convincingly won the first battle between the sides earlier in the season. An intriguing match is in prospect and it is hoped that most of Aber’s 200 or so members will turn up at Plascrug to rally their team.

Alan Jones

WRU National League Division 3 West Saturday 3rd November 2007

Aberystwyth 24pts Laugharne 19

High flying Laugharne came to Plascrug on Saturday intent on extending their 100% League record this season. Aberystwyth, after a shaky start but buoyed by an exuberant Cup performance against lesser opponents a week ago, faced a tough challenge. Able to field a largely unchanged side however they warmed to the task and the visitors soon knew that they were not going to have things easily going their way.

Indeed the home side ruled the roost for the first half, building up an impressive lead. That they seemed to lose their way at some subsequent point is a mystery and a concern they will have to address on the training field, but it let to a pulsating finale with the result uncertain to the very end.

Aberystwyth started aggressively, running at their opponents and assessing potential chinks in the defence, pushing the ball over their opponents’ heads and twice forcing drop-out restarts in the opening minutes. In the sixth minute however they opened their account by executing a practised move that saw scrum half Gwion James unexpectedly flicking the ball up about 20 metres out, then a controlled one-two move with centre Paul Stubbs piercing the defence and flanker Aled Evans on hand to cross in the right corner. Wing Gwilym Evans added the two points with an excellent conversion. Aberystwyth continued to have the territorial advantage as the half progressed, sniping at the Laugharne line, often threatening. Laugharne in turn defended efficiently, countering at times but failing to make inroads into the home half. The home side deservedly extended their lead in the 33rd minute of the match when repeated pressure finally told on the Laugharne defence near their own line, lock Llewelyn Evans picking up and storming over for the second try 10 metres in from touch. Another excellent kick from Evans further extended the lead. The home side sustained a blow whn they lost flanker Llyr ap Hywel with a badly cut nose shortly after, but replacement Eifion Gwynne stepped in seamlesly. A 40 metre penalty from Evans in the 39th minute gave his side a 17-0 interval lead, looking comfortable with it, and creating a situation that Laugharne had not encountered before this season.

Laugharne started the second half strongly but Aber’s first incursion into their half gave them the opportunity to re-attempt the move that had so effectively brought the first try. Laugharne were caught napping once again, Evans this time being the one on hand to receive and cross in the corner; he converted his own try and Aber moved 24 points clear. With three tries already in the bag, Aber should now have been looking for the fourth and a bonus point. Whether they relaxed too soon is debatable, but they certainly failed to close down the game. Laugharne seemed to sense this and started attacking, breaking through in the 52nd minute when right wing Beynon crossed in the corner. When they scored again ten minutes later through flanker Pierce their tails were noticeably up, left wing Chambers’s conversion cutting the deficit to 12 points. Chambers himself added a third in the left corner in the 67th minute and his touchline conversion put his side within a score – game on! Aber faced 13 uncomfortable minutes , thwarting repeated attacks and just failing to break free as Laugharne, smelling blood, set up camp inside Aber’s 22. Despite conceding several penalties in this period, Aber’s defence remained firm however and when Laugharne were finally penalised on the Aber line for handling on the ground in injury time to the echo of “last play” from Flint referee Ieuan Williams, a much relieved Aber skipper booted the ball over his own in-goal to bring proceedings to a close. The visitors undoubtedly deemed that Aber had been fortunate to hang on to the points but in the end their three tries and superb goal kicking from Evans was enough to secure the spoils. They should however rue their failure to secure a bonus point, points that could prove decisive at the end of the season. Laugharne will be disappointed to lose their 100% record, their bonus point being scant consolation.

But Aberystwyth will now hopefully consolidate the return of their form and confidence, and be ready for next week’s trip to Dyffryn Aman to face Amman United. The Plascrug men now occupy fourth place in the League having leap-frogged over Newcastle Emlyn after Saturday’s results, and fully realise that they are still in the hunt in this Division in these early days.

Alan Jones