Rugby

Aber hold out against Mumbles

Swalec Division Two West

Mumbles 19

Aberystwyth 20

UNDERHILL Park, high above the sweep of Swansea Bay was the setting on Saturday afternoon for a division two west encounter that had great importance for both clubs involved, writes Alan Jones.
The home side, Mumbles, have had an indifferent start to their season, much hindered by matches lost to the weather; having played only four times in the past three months, and lost each of those, they were desperate to get back to winning ways and to an escape from the relegation zone.
The visitors, Aberystwyth, in their first season at this level were equally keen for league points to consolidate their position in their quest for survival in the second tier. Mumbles had won the high scoring first encounter at Plascrug in October, but that afternoon had been marred by the injury suffered by centre Paul Stubbs, and their injury jinx has naggingly continued throughout. The outcome of the game was therefore far from a foregone conclusion.
Early play saw both teams seek to gain the edge, the home side missing a penalty opportunity in the 10th minute and Aber squandering a chance to pass out to the unopposed Rhys Richards on the left wing shortly afterwards. When Aberystwyth got their first chance at goal after 18 minutes however, centre Jason Rees made no mistake with his kick from 25 metres out.
Mumbles struck back by running at their visitors; despite valiant efforts to keep them out Aberystwyth’s defence cracked in the 25th minute when a scramble in the left corner resulted in wing Craig Reeves crossing over for the opening try.
From the restart disaster struck for the visitors when the home side hoisted a speculative upfield kick. When Aber chanced against the old maxim of never letting the ball bounce, a cruel rebound on the undulating surface allowed centre Chris Knight to pouch the ball and run in easily for another try, this time under the posts. Full back Justin Price added the simple conversion to give his side a 12-3 lead.
Aber’s play started to show signs of desperation as simple errors were made and were fortunate not to go further behind. To add to their woe they lost two players to injury as Rees (injured wrist) and flanker Lee Gower (shoulder) both had to curtail their involvement in the match. They managed to hang on until the interval and a chance for them to reflect on their play and for coaches to utter a few stern words.
The visitors started the second period on a more positive note but elementary errors again denied them. Their efforts clicked in the 51st minute however when sound handling saw the ball pass through many hands as a move starting in the centre of the park led to number eight Stuart Barrow forcing his way over the line in the right corner for their first try of the day.
At 12-8 down Aber were back in the game. Spurred on by this they attacked again and a tiring Mumbles pack desperately tried to stop them. When home flanker Jamie Rewbridge was yellow-carded for illegally killing the ball just inside his own half, the resulting penalty saw Aber centre Siôn Summers put in an excellent kick to take play within 10 metres of the line.
Aber attacked again from the line-out, only for Mumbles to again be penalised in centre field. Anticipating the numerical advantage upfront Aber opted for the scrum, held firm to begin with and then pushed the home pack backwards from seven metres over their own line, where Barrow touched down for his brace. Summers converted for a 15-12 lead on the hour.
Mumbles sensed that the game was not lost and continually attacked. They showed themselves capable of creating chances and of setting up significant overlaps, but the killer instinct evaded them as they failed to capitalise. Aber helped their cause in the 72nd minute in suicidal style.
Having claimed a mark in their own 22, a cavalierly illegal taking of it gave Mumbles a scrum. Quick ball was passed out to fly half Gbemi Fisher and a gap opened for him to glide past the defence for his side’s third try; he had also veered towards the posts to make it easier for Price to convert and to put Mumbles 19-15 ahead with seven minutes plus injury time remaining.
Aber’s response brought the score of the match within a few minutes. From a seemingly innocuous position in centre field lock Arwel Lloyd forced his way past a defender but there was no way through for him. Barrow appeared at his side, took a slip pass and gained more ground.
From there, Lloyd and Barrow exchanged four more passes as they systematically went past the defence and Barrow got his hat-trick out in the right hand corner.
Aberystwyth had regained the slenderest of leads and injury time - which turned out to last five minutes - still remained.
Mumbles forced their way once again into the Aber 22, but were held out. Aber cleared their line but the home side rushed at them again until a clearance kick gave Mumbles a lineout 15 metres out. They wasted no time in attacking yet again, but a knock-on gave Aber a scrum six metres from their own line. Clean ball saw young scrum half Ifan Thomas hoist the ball to touch yet again, but it was too late for the home side as the whistle blew for no side.
The relieved reactions of the Aber side spoke volumes. They knew that they had, as a week previously, played below par and had still come away with a victory.
Their return from a nine-point deficit however, particularly in the face of injuries to two key players, speaks highly of the character within this Aber side.
The Six Nations campaign gives Aber the next two Saturdays off, but they do return to league action sooner than planned when they entertain Aberavon Harlequins at Plascrug in a Sunday fixture on 21st March, the day after Wales play Italy.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, 16 March Aberystwyth will take on the touring US Navy side at Plascrug (kick-off is at 7.30pm).

Pictured above: Aberystwyth’s Arwel Lloyd in action in their recent home game against Laugharne.