Laugharne 19pts    Aberystwyth 24pts

 

Laugharne arrived in Aberystwyth with plenty of pre-match time despite the long coach journey. Unfortunately in rugby terms they did not actually take part in the match until after half time allowing `Aber` to race into a healthy 24pts-0pts lead.

 Despite losing centre Nick Thomas before the start due to a recurring injury, Laugharne kicked off with lots of optimism, but from the off, `Aber` got the better of the early exchanges and it took a long time for Laugharne to settle and show the semblance of a team wanting to play rugby. They got frustrated further with scrum half Adam Davies taking a sharp knock to the shoulder and although he soldiered on, the delivery of his normally slick passing was laboured.  For the first 25 mins this remained the status quo until `Aber` opened the scoring with a near blindside move from a scrum inside the Laugharne with flanker Llyr ap Hywel taking the final pass to score close to the Laugharne posts. Wing G Evans made no mistake with the straightforward conversion. Sensing Laugharne were vulnerable and assisted by some inconsistent refereeing decisions, `Aber` put Laugharne under a lot of pressure near to their line and eventually No.8 I.Jones took the short pass to crash over for `Aber`s` 2nd try in the 32nd min. Wing Evans made no mistake with the conversion attempt.

 To add to Laugharne`s woes, `Aber` went further into the lead when in the 37th min wing Evans slotted over a penalty in the Laugharne 22 for another dubious decision by the referee for Laugharne obstructing their own player.  At 17pts-0pts in `Aber`s` favour,this was `job well done` for them at half time.

 `Aber` restarted the 2nd half and within 5mins went further ahead with a well work move orchestrated by their fly half to put wing Evans into space. Aided by some poor half hearted tackling, Evans kept his feet and with sheer determination was over for `Aber`s` third try, which he duly converted.

 Finally, Laugharne woke up and set about redressing the balance. The Laugharne pack led by prop Robert Jones in the absence of injured skipper, Phil Brown, began to dominate the set pieces and after a series of scrums, pick up and drives near to the `Aber` posts,flanker Kevin Pearce was over for Laugharne`s first try. In this period the Laugharne back row of Pearce, co-flanker Chris McIlwrick and No.8 John Bowen came into prominence and rattled `Aber` as they ran at them. Laugharne reduced the deficit further with a well won lineout by McIlwrick close to the `Aber` line. With the clean catch and drive by the Laugharne pack, the ball was smuggled to No.8 Bowen, who on his Laugharne debut, forced his way over for the try. Despite missing a couple of earlier long range penalties, wing Alistair Chambers converted, giving Laugharne respectability and closing the gap to 12pts.

 Laugharne then rattled `Aber` from a scrum on the `Aber` 10m line. Fly half Ross Harries received the ball and with a well worked move in midfield, fullback Simon Davies cut through and drawing his man put wing Chambers in the corner for Laugharne`s 3rd try, which he duly converted to bring the scores to within 5pts.

 Having been `out on their feet` for much of the match, Laugharne upped the pressure, knowing they were within a score of a memorable victory, but for the final few minutes `Aber` shut shop, keeping the ball close to their forwards and with the run of play not going Laugharne`s way, despite their strong finish were unable to complete the recovery to a famous win.

 Next week, Laugharne entertain league leaders Ammanford at Wooford field K.o 2-30pm, but will have to be on their own mettle with a strong start from the off to upset them.

 

Alun Jenkins  Team manager Laugharne R.F.C.