For more than three seasons of trying, Laugharne finally put in a performance to overcome title hopefuls Aberystwyth in an enthralling encounter at Wooford field. Laugharne won the toss and decided to play against the gale force and swirling wind. In such conditions the wind was probably worth a good 15-20 pts to the side playing with it.The game started with both sides intent on playing an open game despite the difficult conditions, `Aber` had most of the territory in the first 10 minutes and this told as they were were camped in the Laugharne 22 for this period. After missing a sitter in the 3rd minute, `Aber` fullback G.Evans made amends by slotting over a 2nd attempt in the 5th minute from the Laugharne 22 for offside at the ruck. For much of the remainder of the half Laugharne had their moments and did have opportunities to score, but each time they got within strike range, `Aber` would send them back into their own half with towering touch finders. Laugharne did the sensible thing by keeping the ball close to their forwards with No.8 Kevin Pearce and scrum half Adam Davies exploiting the blind side and with good assistance from flankers Deian Thomas and Robin Hussellbee they drove into the heart of the `Aber` defence. For much of the remainder of the half the ding-dong battle continued with neither side putting any authority on the game. In the 37th minute `Aber` increased their lead with Evans slotting over his 2nd penalty from the the Laugharne 22 for one of their players killing the ball in the tackle. With time running down to the end of the half, `Aber` seized on a loose kick in their own 22. Full back Evans gathered the ball and set off on a mesmerising run into the Laugharne 22 evading would-be tacklers in his wake. Finally he did the sensible thing, by drawing his man to put wing B. Evans in at the corner flag to give `Aber` a 11pts-0pts lead at half time.

 

 As I`ve stated in earlier accounts, the wind does not win you games and the warning signs were ominous as `Aber` increased their lead soon into the 2nd half with full back Evans latching on to the final pass to cross in the corner after some enterprising play from his forwards and backs.

 These days Laugharne are made of sterner stuff and to all intents and purpose it was a good game to win. Laugharne set about redressing the balance and with good interplay from lock Chris Thomas, centre Huw Jenkins and wing Geraint Beynon the ball finally reached full back Shaun Lynch who should have scored but for the intervention of a head high tackle which the referee immediately deemed was sufficient for a penalty try. Beynon made no mistake with the straightforward conversion to close the score to 16pts-7pts in`Aber`s` favour.

 

 Laugharne then upped their efforts with skipper Phil Brown leading his forwards by example and ably supported by prop and talisman Robert Jones and hooker Martin Jones, they drove into the `Aber` 22. After a series of energy sapping scrums and pick-ups and drive, prop Andrew Phillips was awarded the try to close the gap to 16pts-12pts after the conversion attempt went wide. Laugharne continued to play with endeavour with flyhalf Ross Harries orchestrating proceedings, but the `Aber` defence remained tight. `Aber` were more intent on closing the game down to full time and for an agonising 20minutes or so, Laugharne huffed and puffed but could not blow `Aber`s house down. With the game now deep in injury time, Laugharne had one last throw of the dice. They were awarded a penalty on the `Aber` 10m line and quick thinking scrum half Davies took the tap penalty up for the crucial 10m before handing onto his half back partner Harries. Harries using good upper body strength broke through the initial tackle and then drew the fullback to put flying wing Beynon in at the corner flag and put Laugharne in front for the first time in the match, much to the delight of the hardy Laugharne supporters. To add insult to injury. Beynon converted from the touchline to finally lay the ghost of so many previous missed chances against `Aber`.

 

Next week, Laugharne play a crucial away game against title contenders Ammanford. Team coach to leave Grist Square at 12-15pm

 

Alun Jenkins     Team Manager   Laugharne R.F.C.