Penygroes 5 Aberaeron 32

Aberaeron secured a minimum second place in Division 5 West with this hard fought win against an aggressive and abrasive Penygroes outfit on Wednesday evening. Having disposed of the opposition the previous Saturday it was a case of travelling into the unknown for this venture, with the hosts dubiously electing for uncontested scrums again from the outset. This facet unfortunately is becoming far too common an occurrence for one reason or another and is effectively taking away one of the basic skills in the modern game. Ironically and sadly such manoeuvres are also far too easy to implement by teams wary of opposition reputation and Aberaeron’s supremacy in the set piece is effectively forcing the issue time and again with several encounters resulting in stalemate this season.
So this particular contest was a replay of the previous game, with Penygroes determined with the aid of a vociferous home support to disrupt the Aberaeron band wagon. However success does bring support and on the night the highflyers were boosted by the considerable following who had made the effort to travel. In the end they were duly rewarded with a controlled display , albeit sometimes with a little fortune to claim the all important bonus point in the process. After repelling the expected early pressure, the visitors were soon off the mark, a quick penalty resulting in a try for flanker Dafydd Williams who had an eventful evening. By halftime the line had been crossed a further two occasions with burly Tom Taylor gaining the second whilst elusive outside half Llyr Davies again pounced on loose ball to open the comfort zone with the half time whistle beckoning. The second half took off in frantic style with Aberaeron very much on the back foot, and Penygroes took their chance with a close range score. Not to be outdone the visitors soon rallied and on permit Elgan Jones, a power of strength throughout, effortlessly regained the advantage to regain the supremacy. From thereon in there was only one winner and Rhodri Severs on the wing made it a royal flush with a well worked move following a succession of rolling mauling mauls. Centre Dylan Evans, controlled throughout, helped the cause with seven points from the boot and the success in the end was totally deserved. Considerable celebration at the end therefore and justifiably so, and with 2 games to go coach Alwyn Davies is sitting pretty with the considerable effort over the last 5 years finally looking to bear fruit.