Fixture

Pantyffynnon 15 Aberaeron 18

Aberaeron duly completed the double over Pantyffynnon, but contrary to the first encounter this was a totally different challenge which in the end the Seagulls just about deserved. The earlier fixture had seen Aberaeron gain a bonus point success, but on this occasion a much improved Amman valley side showed far greater determination and guile to give the visitors a thorough test. As would be expected the hosts came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders and caught the visitors napping and they benefited from a series of rolling mauls to register the first score. Heavy conditions underfoot meant conversions would be difficult and all attempts were to fail on the day. After the early setback, Aberaeron regrouped and let by the effective Tudur Jenkins they equalised on the half hour after the captain released Niall Reed on the wing to cross in the corner. Ascendancy went the way of the visitors as the half progressed with the front row trio of Downes, Wozencraft and Evans all making ground and they were duly rewarded with a close range effort from flanker Dafydd Davies. Errors late in the half were however to prove to be costly as Pantyffynnon scavenged on a loose ball to bring the scores level at the break. The second period prove to be a far closer encounter with Panty exerting heavy pressure in the opening quarter with Aberaeron finally conceding with another close range effort giving them the lead once more. It then became a battle of attrition with the elements and ground conditions nullifying any scope for open play but as the half developed it was Aberaeron who looked the more likely, and eventual reward came when flanker Aaron Lewis crowned a fine afternoon, benefiting from a series of forays. With the result in the balance it needed a spark to gain the glory and it was Rhodri Jenkins who stepped up to the mark to belie the conditions and convert a penalty from wide out which would eventually seal the result. A difficult encounter in the end brought the spoils, as we enter the second half of a difficult campaign.