Rugby

Winning run ends at Plascrug

Swalec Division Two West

Aberystwyth 14

Ammanford 18

ABERYSTWYTH’s run of eight consecutive victories came to an abrupt halt on Saturday when they came second in a close tussle against Ammanford, writes Alan Jones.
Their recent form had seen the Plascrug side rise to seventh position in Division Two West, just a couple of points below their opponents, and the highest ever position Aber has enjoyed in national ratings.
The match had started positively for the home side as they exerted good pressure on their opponents and should arguably have commanded a decisive advantage.
Their finishing was not up to scratch, however, as two clear chances went a-begging through some poor mis-handling.
In the event, the street-wise Ammanford side weathered the storm and took full advantage of lacklustre defending on the left flank when wing Gary Stephens was given clear space to run in 30 metres for the opening score in the 19th minute.
Aber were unlucky not to claw back when a monster 50 metre penalty from centre Jason Rees struck the left upright, but fell further behind in the 33rd minute when Ammanford fly half Carwyn Richards slotted a much easier 20 metre attempt.
The unhappy first half was exacerbated for Aber through the loss of their fly half Davis Norman with a shoulder injury.
A key incident in the 41st minute saw the home side lose another player when flanker Rhydian Harries had to leave the action. Harries had picked up a loose ball at an Ammanford ruck in centre field and showed his impressive pace by advancing 35 metres; Ammanford’s subsequent killing of the ball when Harries was stopped should have received more attention from Pembroke Dock referee Andrew Miles as should the stamping of Harries that brought an end to his afternoon’s exploits.
The home side started the second half positively but again to no avail and Ammanford once again showed better experience when they extended their lead in the 56th minute. Having patiently weathered the home storm, Richards was the man who found a way through the home defence when they eventually broke away, crossing for his side’s second try 10 metres in from touch. His accurate conversion from the wide angle deservedly got the extra points and the visitors were 15-0 up.
Any thoughts that Ammanford might have had that they had won this match were soon dashed however. On the hour clean ball from a lineout 20 metres from the Ammanford line was used fully by Aber’s Kiwi lock Peter Bielski who broke through the defence line and raced to the line for his side’s opening score, managing to make his way under the posts to make the conversion easier for his centre Rees.
Aber dominated the territory and possession in the ensuing period of play and would have scored again had it not been for mishandling in the centre. Their dominance at this time at was exemplified in the 66th minute when they won possession at an Ammanford scrum 10 metres from the visitors line and number eight Lee Gower went over the line for Aber’s second try.
Rees’s conversion closed the gap to a single point and with 13 minutes remaining the game was most definitely wide open.
Aber were reduced to 14 men, however, when referee Miles brandished his yellow card, and the Pembrokeshire policeman certainly made his mark on the game in his inimitable style of conversing with all and sundry on and off the pitch, even extending to cautioning a home supporter for his comments. The harsh yellow card also gave the visitors a shot at goal and Richards slotted an impressive penalty under pressure to open a four-point gap.
The closing 10 minutes saw Aber perpetually attacking the Ammanford line, most of the play being inside the visitors’ 22. Their patient and streetwise defence however yielded no more and at the final whistle they claimed the 18-14 victory.
On balance, Ammanford deserved their success, but the Plascrug men will know that this was another match that they could have won. The form of recent weeks suggested to their supporters that a win against Ammanford was a distinct possibility, and indeed it was. Ammanford showed, however, that lapses in defence and concentration will be severely punished in this division and for a disappointed Aberystwyth the dream of a ninth consecutive win remained a dream.
The winter has had a severe effect on fixtures but Aberystwyth hope to start catching up next Saturday, despite it being a Six Nations Saturday. With Wales kicking off their match at Twickenham at 5 o’clock, the Plascrug side have been given permission to stage a match at 1.30pm when their opponents will be Maesteg, one of the traditional big sides in Welsh rugby. This is subject to the availability of a referee for the fixture, but all being well, it should be an entertaining afternoon at Plascrug.

Pictured above: Aberystwyth’s Rhydian Harries on the run against Ammanford. (APJ40217).