Aberaeron 25 Tenby 19

The Bowl competition of the Swalec Cup may be the last chance for silverware, but the sparse crowd at Parc Drefach were treated to an entertaining game with the Seagulls edging out their higher level opponents minutes from the end. Credit must go to both teams for defying the elements to produce an afternoon of tension and Aberaeron will be doubly pleased to have put the previous week’s dismal display behind them. Playing with the wind in the first half, the home pack competed competently, continuously driving their opponents in the scrums and more than gaining parity in the lineouts. There was also a pleasing improvement in discipline and this was a major factor in the end result. After a tense opening period, it was the home side that took the lead, with the honour going to prop Owain Wozencraft for his first try for the club. Indeed the front row brigade were really up for the game with hooker Carwyn Davies effective in the loose whilst Tenby had no answer to the charges of burly prop Deiniol Evans, time and again leaving would be defenders in his wake and showing remarkable fitness for the full ninety minutes. Centre Dylan Evans, forming an effective midfield with Llyr Davies and Owen Williams was on target early on, adding the conversion and also a well struck penalty from half way. The visitors’ main offence was the counter attack, and all their tries resulted from within their own half, albeit Aberaeron’s defence will be subject to some scrutiny by coach Alwyn Davies. Another brace of penalties from Evans kept up the pressure only to be pegged back with another counter attack by Tenby and there was some relief when centre Williams controlled an attempted clearance to cross the line minutes from the break. With the wind in their favour after the break the visitors tactics were mainly to gain territory but a sound display by Tom Taylor at full back prevented any real threat with same player always looking to counter attack and being very unlucky not to reach the line on one occasion from deep in his own half. Tenby did gain the advantage with a try mid way through, but just at it looked like another disappointing afternoon, a concerted drive by the home eight took second row Sion Arron over the line, also for his first try for the club. The remaining minutes proved to be comfortable with captain Tudur Jenkins marshalling his troops well and Carl Williams at scrum half competitive till the end. Aberaeron will now look forward to the next round and hopefully another home fixture at the end of January.