Fixture

Aberystwyth 17 Tenby 21

It was a disappointing end to the season and in part the game summed up the whole season, a lot of effort, some very good play but crucial errors costing points.

Tenby started the game with the slope and the elements in their favour.  However it was Aber who were first into their stride.  A clever kick from Matt Hughes brought play back to just outside Tenby’s 22, were Tenby were caught offside.  Steffan Rees drilled the ball into the 22, where the forwards drove the ball on and with the Tenby pack disintegrating, Matt Hughes glided through the gap to score.  Steffan Rees converted.  Straight away loose play lead to a good break from Tenby and full back Jonathan Mason crossed for a try under the post which was converted by outside half Ashley Sutton.

The strength of the wind was highlighted a few minutes later when Sutton attempted a penalty from fully 58m out.  Thankfully for Aber it dropped short, but this proved to be only a brief respite as Sutton soon slotted a 40m penalty.  Aber were back on the attack but a loose pass was dropped followed by a poor kick  gave Tenby the opportunity to run the ball back from near the halfway line and Jonathan Morgan to cross for his second try 8m out.  Sutton missed the conversion.

After a period of play with neither side being able to gain an advantage, strong pressure by Aber led to a scrum on the ½ way line where they were penalised for standing up.  They compounded the error by talking back to the referee who added 10m.  Sutton kicked the now closer penalty (7-18).  A strong hit from the resultant kick off earned Aber a penalty.  Despite Steffan Rees giving the ball a mighty kick the ball just dipped under the crossbar because of the strong wind.

Some strong pressure from Aber allowed them to gain a foothold just outside Tenby’s 22 and strong running created an opportunity for Steffan Rees to score wide out, which he then brilliantly converted (14-18). Jack Guerriro on Tenby’s right wing (a late replacement himself) had to be replaced by Connor Ennis.  The last action was a penalty to Aber on the half way earned by captain Lee Evans clamping the ball in a tackle.  With the elements now in their favour and only a four point deficit, Aber must have been quite confident at half time.  Unfortunately the rain had now got heavier and did not help Aber’s cause by making the ball and surface more slippery.

A great recovery by Sion Cowdy, to Aber‘s kick off allowed Dean Coleman to get within 10m of Tenby’s line. This good attacking position was wasted by crossing in midfield.  Mistakes by Aber proved to be a feature of the half and despite a lot of effort not much headway could be made.  Tenby then proceeded to give away a number of penalties close to their line which resulted in their captain Luke Hansford being yellow carded.   Steffan Rees kicked the resulting penalty.  Paul Stubbs was now replaced by Hopcyn Matthews after battling bravely with an arm injury for most of the game.  This was the first of a series of injury replacements which stalled Aber’s momentum, Kevin Jones being replaced by Matt Roberts and Sion Cowdy by Llyr Thomas.  Carwyn Thomas was also replaced by Owain Bonsall and Coleman by Tom Slinger. 

In the closing quarter a good chip and chase almost resulted in a try from Llyr Thomas.  Then a strong break out from Tenby led to a needless penalty being awarded on the Aber 22, which Sutton converted for Tenby.

The final attacking action from Aber was a great break and support play but the final pass to was ruled forward by the touch judge with Gruff Jones about to cross for what could have been the winning try.  Aber continued to try hard but failed to make any progress and did not create any more scoring opportunities.  I think all the players involved will relish the opportunity next season to show Tenby their true style and ability.