Rugby

Aberystwyth's defence secures win

Swalec Division Two West

Aberavon Quins 14

Aberystwyth 15

WALES playing France on a Friday spawned the opportunity to cut some of the backlog of some 450 Swalec League matches, caused by the inclemency of the early part of the winter, writes Alan Jones.
One such rearrangement saw Aberystwyth travel to Harlequin Road in Port Talbot, home of Aberavon Harlequins RFC.
With both sides having enjoyed mixed starts to their league campaigns, they had equal points on Saturday morning, and the match was of importance for both clubs.
Aberystwyth started in rampant style, attacking from the off and soon found their way to the Quins’ 22. Early indicators suggested that Aber had the stronger pack and this was indeed confirmed in a scrum 10 metres in from touch and just as close to the home try line. The visitors seemed to be pushing forward when the scrum collapsed, and Ammanford referee Ian Davies had no hesitation in running to the goal posts to award a penalty try.
Aber’s Jason Rees landed the easy conversion for an early seven point lead.
After a brief visit into Aber territory the Quins were forced back yet again and in the 12th minute Aber full back Carwyn ap Myrddin appeared in the line and broke through the home defence from some 35 metres. Number eight Stuart Barrow took the ball and passed out to the left, remaining in support for him to take the ball on the inside yet again and he duly crossed for Aber’s second score of the day.
At 12 points up in as many minutes Aber were coasting but a by-product of ap Myrddin’s break was that the young North Walian injured his shoulder when tackled, a blow that was to haunt his side.
From the restart the Quins made some progress into Aber territory and opened their account in the 15th minute when fly half Marc Sheppard dropped a neat 30 metre drop goal from behind a scrum.
The hosts gradually got into the match and started putting some pressure on their visitors. Aber sometimes showed their forward supremacy, as in a 20 metre advance towards the Quins 22 after 25 minutes, but they could not turn that into points.
Their efforts were also severely hampered when ap Myrddin’s earlier injury proved more serious than anticipated, and his departure disrupted them somewhat.
The Quins took full advantage of this and the momentum of the match gradually switched towards the home side. They failed to score however, Sheppard missing two very kickable penalties to boot.
Aber were further disadvantaged in the 36th minute when a yellow card was issued for deliberately killing the ball, just a few minutes after the team had been warned. Sheppard made no mistake with the ensuing penalty, but Aber saw it through to half time, preserving their 12-6 lead.
The second period started with Aber on the attack, but they did not manage to improve their scoreline. Unnecessary errors and misjudgements also entered their play, typified in the 48th minute when a premature chip ahead was attempted.
The ball was charged down and the home team simply executed a passing of the ball outwards and forwards, the counter eventually failing centimetres short of the Aberystwyth line when left wing Milton was bundled into touch.
Aberystwyth weathered that storm but there followed many others and the visitors’ defence was stretched to its limits.
For a full 20 minutes the Quins were camped inside the Aber 22 but the Ceredigion side pulled out all their defensive reserves to keep them out. The few chances that Aber had to clear the line were ineffectual as they often lost the ensuing lineout far too easily, and at times seemed to try to play too complex a game.
In contrast the Quins played a simple game, but played it competently; they lacked, however, the finishing power needed to convert their territorial advantage into points. In the midst of their onslaught Aber ended one of the attacks by killing the ball and were duly penalised. Sheppard duly slotted the penalty to bring his side back to within three points, but it was scant reward for all their efforts.
Eventually Aber did break away and took play to the other end of the field when left wing Rhys Richards chased an upfield kick, pinning the home full back down and forcing a scrum. The visitors then turned the tables and exerted pressure of their own in the Quins 22.
When the Quins flanker was yellow-carded for killing the ball inside his own 22 in the 74th minute Aber had a chance, but they gave up the attempt at goal and called a scrum to try and take advantage of numerical superiority up front. Their attack was quashed however and, minutes later, Rees settled for three points by landing a drop goal to restore a six point lead.
As the minutes ticked away the Quins refused to give up and once again attacked the Aber line mercilessly. Despite their extended valiant efforts at defence, it was almost inevitable that the Aber line would be breached and it was no surprise when replacement Matthew Morgan forced his way over in the corner. Sheppard’s kicking form eluded him once again as the conversion attempt sailed across the face of the posts and Aberystwyth’s advantage remained intact, ahead by 15-14.
With little time left, Aberystwyth knew that possession was now the key factor, but they failed to achieve it as the ball tumbled to the Quins in a tussle. In turn they knew they had to get to the other end of the field and promptly did just that.
When Aber illegally thwarted them near to the right touchline some 30 metres out, Sheppard had another chance to steal the spoils, but this time his attempt fell short.
Aber’s response was to counter, but the ball once again tumbled in a tackle and possession reverted to the Quins. This time however they were stopped within a few metres and the break in play signalled the end of the match, which was an enormous relief for the visiting supporters.
Aberystwyth will be the first to admit that they did not play well; it is often said however that to win when not playing well is the mark of a settled team. Their defensive play deserves great praise, but a little more composure in attack would have made their afternoon easier.
The four points gives them a useful boost in the League, now rising to seventh place, tied with Pontyberem. They now face Mumbles away next Saturday, a crucial game against opponents that lie below them in the table. Their encounter at Plascrug in October was marred by the injury to Paul Stubbs, but they finished strongly and a further few minutes might well have seen them overtake the Swansea Bay side.
The contest on Saturday promises to be intriguing, and Aber will need all the support they can and deserve to muster.

Pictured above: Aberystwyth place kicker Jason Rees in action earlier this season.