Our next fixture took us on the road to unlikely league strugglers Hafodyrynys. Aber have had little to no fortune on their ground in recent years in both league and cup fixtures, so were looking to get the monkey off the back and maintain their 100% win rate this season.
Despite the torrential rain, the pitch was in fantastic condition and we looked forward to an open and expansive game with Aber fielding a strong back line. As is always the case at this time of year, Aber were missing a few key players in the pack who had tickets for the international – but due to our strength in depth the absentees places were filled with equal quality.
It was a strange old start to the game, but Aber were immediately on the front foot. It was only unforced errors which halted their progression into the home team’s territory. This was the story for large parts of the first half and frustration began to creep in. Despite the abundance of pace and strength out wide Aber seemed insistent on keeping the ball tight and gaining the hard yards through rumbling runs from some of their big forwards.
The first point’s game from the boot as Lampy slotted over 2 penalties to take Aber into a 6-0 lead. Chances were few and far between until the final play of the half – for the first time the backs were unleashed on first phase ball and a silky move in mid field saw centre Clarkey coming onto the ball at pace and bursts through the tackle to go in under the sticks.
Aber go in at half time 13 to the good and looked comfortable – Hafod showing little to no threat going forward.
Aber were awarded an early kickable penalty in the 2nd half, a short deliberation on the field and the sensible call was to go for the posts. Lampy again steps up and confidently strikes the ball over from 40 meters and Aber are now more than 2 scores clear and can now go and look for the bonus point.
16-0
Credit to Hafod, they came back from this well and starved Aber of the ball for large parts of the game from here on in. Aber found themselves camped on their line and were struggling to regain possession. A number of scrums 5 meters from Abers line really stretched our defence but it was standing tall despite the barrage of pressure being put on them. More frustration was setting in and the ill-discipline of old was beginning to creep in to the Aber ranks – more attention was being given to the referee’s decisions rather than their own jobs.
A penalty was awarded to Hafod on Abers 22 and quick thinking by their scrumhalf saw the disorganised defence and took a quick tap and slips a pass to their big 12 who was coming on to the ball at pace and there was no stopping him. This gave Aber something to think about and the game was far from over.
16-7.
Aber were awarded a scrum on the half way line, and for the 2nd time in the game the ball was given out to the backline from first phase ball – yet another well executed move put them in space and good support play by scurm half Aaron Matthews saw Aber cross the line for the 2nd time.
21-7.
With only minutes left on the clock, Hafod now looked like a beaten side. More good play from the back line gave winger Taine space as he eats up the meters down the touchline. As the cover defence was coming across a clever grubber back in field causes their full back all sorts of problems, Liam Mattews capitalises on this and gathers the ball to cross the line for 3rd.
26-7.
Unfortunately Aber were unable to get the 4th and all important bonus point, but the boys had again put in a shift and were happy to come away with another W.
Although Aber looked comfortable for the majority of the game, credit has to be given to Hafodyrynys who were always in the fight – I believe their position in the league table doesn’t reflect how good they are. However with the league being as competitive as it is this season it seems any team can beat anyone on the day. I’m sure they will have climbed the table by the time of the return fixture and we wish them all the best until then.
The coaches’ man of the match was Taine Luther who had a faultless game, this sentiment being echoed by the travelling supporters. Dangerous in attack and brutal in defence. Taine has fast become an integral part of the Aber backline and despite the strong competition seems to have cemented his place on the wing.
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