Aberaeron 6 St Clears 6

Aberaeron’s last league game of 2008 proved to be very much a disappointing affair after they fought out a dull encounter against fellow mid table partners St Clears. Under surprisingly good conditions with very little wind, there were expectations of greater entertainment, but dogged defence coupled with lack of any real attacking threat from both sides resulted in a stalemate, with neither side deserving the extra points. Once again Aberaeron’s forte was their superiority in the lineout where Leighton Daniel was again supreme, with Neil Snowdon faultless in his delivery. Contrary to the previous week , the front row of Carwyn Davies, Alex Danton and Owain Wozencroft more than held their own , but too often all the good work was undone by lack of discipline at crucial moments of the game. Time and again the referee’s whistle interrupted good attacking positions and this element of play has to improve if further progress is to be achieved. That very much left the scoring to the two outside halves, Dylan Evans putting the home side in the lead early on in the game , only for his opposite number to respond almost immediately to even the score. A further penalty gave Aberaeron a slender lead at the break and for long periods in the second half it looked as if it would enough to gain the victory, but St Clears levelled the score mid way through and despite further attempts at goal from both sides the scoreline remained intact. Aberaeron’s only real opportunity of the game came from a burst from midfield by captain Tudur Jenkins when only a last ditch tackle prevented a touch down, with no support available to take full advantage, whilst the visitors showed very little ambition on the attacking front.
So the curtain comes down on a mixed year for the Seagulls, comfortable in the higher reaches of the division but seemingly unable to break through the barrier and climb to a higher level. An interesting encounter next on the cards with the visit of Tenby to Parc Drefach in the Swalec Bowl competition on Saturday.