Aberystwyth travelled to Pisgah Street in Kenfig Hill on Saturday, home of the “Mules” but their disappointing start to the season continued  as they suffered  their third consecutive League defeat.  For the second week in a row they faced a side newly promoted to this division and Kenfig Hill, like Glynneath before them fully showed their ability to compete at this level. Indeed the two promoted sides are two of only four teams to still have a 100% record in this League. But even though the two matches ended in heavy defeats for Aberystwyth, they were very different in how they developed.

The match at Plascrug seven days previously had remained scoreless for 36 minutes before the floodgates opened drowning Aber. This match opened encouragingly for the light and dark blues and early play suggested that the Aber pack would prove too strong for the home eight, the Kenfig front row visibly suffering. But it was the strength of the Kenfig Hill backs that eventually won the day. After ten well contested but scoreless minutes, Aberystwyth were awarded a penalty on their own 22 metre line and a chance to get back into opposition territory. The kick failed to find touch however and was pouched by home full back Raymond Evans near half way; he started careering along the touchline finding that Aber had been caught unawares, and when he slipped the ball to team mate Rhodri Clarke a gap opened for the centre to make his way to the posts for the first try. Fly half Nicky Giles added the conversion for a 7-0 lead. This pattern of play bizarrely continued throughout the half – Aber contesting well for 10 minutes or so and then losing concentration, each time punished by the alert Kenfig Hill backs. At regular intervals tries were added by left wing Ben Clark, flanker Scott Waller and number eight Steve Gillard. Giles added the conversions from wherever the tries were scored and as the heavens opened in the run up to half time the Mules were 28 points clear, the match all but over as a contest.

The Council run sports fields at Pisgah Street are however sited on a considerable slope, and it was not out of the question for a comeback as Aber had the advantage of this in the second period. The visitors immediately put pressure on themselves however as the fumbled the opening kick from Giles, and the Mules set up camp in Aber territory for the first seven minutes of the half. The visitors defended valiantly but eventually gave away a penalty on their own 22. Giles gratefully added the three points. Aber tried their best to get back into the game, but the Mules had their tails up and any suggestions of a flagging pack disappeared. In the 51^st minute Swansea based referee Ben (ap Nigel) Whitehouse penalised Aberystwyth on half way, but immediately spotted an over-exuberant use of the boot by Gillard. The penalty was reversed and the home number eight despatched to the sin bin. Aber used the ten minutes to claim some territorial advantage, even though they did not score during that period. They did get themselves onto the scoreboard in the 63^rd minute however with a try from flyhalf Llywarch ap Myrddin wide out; centre Jason Rees added a superb conversion to make it 31-7.

Four minutes later Aber’s Rhun Morgan was felled and shaken by a high tackle and the prop’s afternoon came to an abrupt end, replaced by Robert Rudge. It was the home team however that took advantage of the break in play, responding sharply when play resumed and simple passing sent centre Chris Tossell away for his side’s fifth try. Giles inevitably added the two points. Aber continued to contest but a momentary lapse yet again gave the Mules their sixth try in the 72^nd minute. Aber had found touch with an upfield kick, but the home side took a quick throw in near half way and sent right wing Dan Godwin along the flank, co-wing Clark supporting for the final touchdown.

Aberystwyth never gave up, and when one of their attacks was illegally thwarted, the home side suffered a second yellow card. Aber did get a well deserved consolation second try just before the end, when full back Aled Sweeney made good ground along the left flank before slipping the ball to Richard Read. The left wing still had some work to do, but competently finished to score in the corner. Another excellent conversion from Rees made the final score 43-14 to the home side.

 It was another defeat for Aber but they certainly were not outplayed as they were the week before. Aber’s home grown pool of players is growing and it is very positive to see these youngsters step up to the plate at this level. Young flanker Daniel Binks competently did that when he came on in this game as did wing Caleb Spencer in the opening hour. It was pleasing also to see Aber Athletic regulars step up, Rudge joined by fellow prop John Dean who made his first team debut before the end.

As has been said before things do not get easier in this league, and next Saturday Aber entertain Kidwelly at Plascrug in the next round of matches.

 

Alan Jones