WRU National League Division 3 West Saturday 5th April 2008
Llanybydder 14pts Aberystwyth 3
Aberystwyth’s varied form continued on Saturday as they slumped to defeat at the hands of Llanybydder despite claiming the lion’s share of territorial advantage. They also won far more than equal share of possession in this eagerly awaited local derby but failed to capitalise, thereby obliterating any late hopes of promotion.
The first encounter between the two sides in November failed to produce any tries, underlining the effectiveness of both defences. That aspect continued again on Saturday save for two occasions that saw the home side cross the tryline from long range, justifying the result to the full.
Aber have been guilty of committing unnecessary errors repeatedly in the last few weeks, but the level of such transgressions went a step too far on Saturday and they paid the price dearly. Indeed the visitors should have scored twice in the opening twelve minutes as breaks first by full back Gwilym Evans and then flanker Eifion Gwynne tore holes in midfield but the advantages created were squandered at the last, the second of these ignoring a four man overlap on the left that begged a try. In the event Llanybydder took full advantage of their first real chance when in the 15th minute eighteen year old full back Llŷr Davies pouched the ball well inside his own 22 and sprinted a full 80 metres along the left hand touchline for a try in the corner, despite a suggestion of contact with the corner flag on the way dismissed by the touch judge. Against the run of play the home side were 5 points up and a superb touchline conversion from Barry Thomas accentuated Aberystwyth’s hurt.
Ten minutes later Davies showed his pace again this time on the right of the park and it was he who crossed for the second try following good linking between threequarters. Thomas again converted and the home side were 14 points clear, a difference that Aberyswyth were to find too much to overcome. The visitors continued to win possession but equally continued to throw and drop it away as the Llanybydder performance grew displaying excellent defensive skills.
The Aberystwyth pack performed to their usual standard but must have been frustrated at the collective inability to use the ball. They almost broke through in the 43rd minute when a Steve Brown break from half way culminated when full back Evans was ankle tapped short of the line; in the ensuing play the home side had to resort to illegal means to keep Aber out, and the visitors made do with a Gwilym Evans penalty from in front of the posts to make it 14-3 at the interval.
The second half continued to serve up more of the same, but Llanybydder were united in their determination to keep their opponents out. The countless errors from Aber’s attack also helped and they must be in contention for some sort of record for the number of passes dropped or fluffed in centre field. Aberystwyth continued to attack to the end, but the home defence held firm impressively in the last quarter of an hour of encampment inside the home 22.
Collectively, Llanybydder played as a unit and exhibited a greater desire and hunger to win than their visitors and that earned them a deserved victory. Aberystwyth will yet again look back on this as a game where they should have been in contention on the scoreboard as much as they were in the play, but they went home with nil points from this encounter.
As the end of the season approaches, Aber now have a difficult four matches with little but pride to play for. They will start that journey on Saturday when the entertain Haverfordwest at Plascrug.
Alan Jones
WRU National League Division 3 West 1st December 2007
Aberystwyth 12pts Llanybydder 3
Llanybydder came to Plascrug for the first ever League match between the two Clubs lying occupying second place in the table, having made their presence in Division 3 known, just as they had done in the previous two seasons climbing out of lower divisions. It was undoubtedly a big game for both Clubs, the visitors keen to consolidate, and the home side in need of a change in the fortunes of recent weeks.
From the outset it was clear that both sides wanted to play and to win, opening encounters fiercely fought. On paper, the Aberystwyth side was stronger than of late, especially in the forward division, and this proved to be Llanybydder’s downfall as the Aber eight increasingly overcame their opponents. In difficult conditions worsened by a swirling wind Aber’s forwards ruled and territorially the home side had the lion’s share in the opening half. After wing Gwilym Evans opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a penalty from in front of the posts, his side ruled the park, enjoying twenty minutes of encampment in their opponents’ half, mainly inside their 22. They failed to translate this supremacy into points however, due to a stubborn defence, and a few unfortunate wrong options. In the second quarter Llanybydder did break free and mounted attacks of their own, but never really threatened the Aber line at this point. The scoreboard remained static and still read 3-0 to the home side when the half time interval came.
The light and dark blues started the second half very positively and Evans extended their lead in the 44th minute with another straightforward penalty. Aber continued to attack and at one stage their dominance extended to their pack driving Llanybydder backwards from half way to their 22. They lacked that final finish however and the visitors held out. In the 52nd minute a counter from Llanybydder resulted in the home side conceding a penalty on their own 22, and fly half Barry Thomas made no mistake in cutting the deficit to 6-3.
As often happens this spurred the visitors on and it was now Aber’s turn to hold out. With the score so close it was of course anyone’s game and good fortune to either side might have proved decisive. But Aber’s pack continued to dominate, with the front row of Prys Lewis, Geraint Rowlands and Rhun Morgan outstanding. There was no questioning that the combined Aber heart was in this match, determined to win, but frustrated by failing to score. Relief came in the 66th minute when Evans slotted his third score, from 15 metres to the right of the posts, and when he added a fourth four minutes later from 45 metres the game was as good as won.
As the minutes ticked away, Aber again had territorial advantage, but Llanybydder never gave up, confirming their right to a lofty position in the League. A try-less match at Plascrug is an unusual event, but Aber thoroughly deserved this victory nonetheless, not least because of their determination.
The Plascrug side now face the long trip to Haverfordwest on Saturday, and the
Aberystwyth: Barrie Thomas, Gwilym Evans, Bryn Evans, Paul Stubbs, Matthew Green; Gary Williams, Gwion James (capt); Rhun Morgan, Geraint Rowlands, Prys Lewis, Arwel Lloyd, Dafydd Evans, Eifion Gwynne, Llyr ap Hywel, Iestyn Jones; rep: Dai Davies, Llywelyn Evans, Steffan Roberts, Richard Phillips.
Alan Jones