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Pembrokeshire Cup Round 2.

Fishguard 15 – v- 27 Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth travelled to Fishguard for this second round match in the Pembrokeshire Cup competition after a long lay-off and with a much changed XV. With good ground conditions, no wind and with only occasional rain, the scene was set for a fast, open game.

Although the home side are third from the bottom in Division 2 West they fielded a strong XV and showed their intention to play running rugby from the start. They exerted a lot of pressure on the Aber eight in scrums, lineouts and in the loose and had much the better of the opening half hour as they consistently won their own ball and often stole the visitors’ ball to launch a series of attacks. The home side dominated possession and territory in this period and should have had far more than an unconverted try to show for it. That they did not score more was due to Aber’s stubborn defending and covering. Gradually the visitors began to gel as a team and took play downfield to earn a penalty 35 metres out which Llyr Thomas dealt with easily to put Aber’s first points on the board.

Aber’s growing confidence and improved understanding saw them take play deep into the opposition’s half. A penalty put them within striking distance and saw them win a lineout 5 metres out and execute a perfect catch and drive for prolific try scorer Steffan Bonsall to go over near the touchline for a 7 – 8 half time lead.

Early in the second half Fishguard were reduced to 14 men after one of their wingers was yellow carded but Aber did not take full advantage of this. Indeed, the home side kicked a penalty to regain the lead at 10 – 8. The game was as closely contested in this period as the first half had been until scrum half Gruff Jones hit a purple patch. Firstly, from a scrum 60 metres out he dummied and made ground before putting in an inch perfect kick for winger Adam Carvell to pounce on for a try wide out. The conversion was missed. Then, a few minutes later, Jones broke again from a defensive scrum and made 50 metres before passing to Carvell. He drew the Fishguard full-back before feeding Llyr Thomas for a brilliantly executed try. Thomas’ excellent conversion put the icing on the cake and took the score to 10 – 20.

Aber were now dominant and added to their lead when captain Lee Evans, in another impressive performance, stole Fishguard possession and after excellent work from equally impressive Carwyn Evans, Aber added their final try through Carvell. Thomas converted this try to take his personal tally to 12 points in one of his best games so far this season. The visitors then relaxed as the win was secured and this allowed Fishguard to create a huge overlap to score an unconverted try wide out to close the score at 15 – 27. 

The starting front row of Neuman, Bonsall and Plumridge played well and were well supported by powerful locks Robbie Parry and Arwel Lloyd and the back row of Shepherd, Thomas and Evans. Behind the scrum, the half backs Jones, and newly arrived Conner Pitt, did well. Wingers Adam Carvell and Steff Rees were very effective in both attack and defence. In the centre, Carwyn Evans was solid and is improving with every game. His co-centre Tom Slinger made powerful breaks and tackled well. Llyr Thomas was solid in defence and was a constant threat when he came into the back line. All the substitutes too played their part in this encouraging win.

This was a reassuring performance from Aber and confirms that the club has strength in depth when it is needed. But it is important to secure a full fixture list for the Athletic and the Youth XVs so that they field teams as regularly as possible to maintain this quality back-up.