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LLANDYBIE   19     ABERAERON   16

Llandybie welcomed Aberaeron for this Division 3 C encounter expecting a hard match especially up front with the visitors boasting a big pack having steamrollered Cefneithin the previous weekend. This match was a pleasure to watch with two totally committed teams.

Llandybie gave away a penalty for offside in the first minute slotted by Rhodri Jenkins. The home side gave away a number of silly penaties in the early exchanges. From one, Aber kicked for touch and from the lineout formed a driving maul for Dafydd Davies to force his way over the line for the opening try.  After 15 minutes Llandybie finally found some momentum with good carries from Merlyn McClelland, Rhys Cann and James Tommason. The ball was recycled by the pack but the backs knocked on in contact. From the scrumdown Llandybie pushed Aberaeron off their own put in with captain Rhydian Jones picking up and throwing a dummy to charge through to score. Aled Tommason converted and with the score 7 – 8 it was game on. The hosts lost full back Josh Williams with a pulled groin being replaced by Chris Powell and centre Rhys Evans moving to full back.

Aberaeron replied with some forward rushes with big lock Tudor Jenkins charging for the line to be knocked back five yards by a tremendous tackle by centre Rob Smith which stopped a promising move .Solid tackling by James Tommason and a good carry by Rhys Cann forced  the visitors back. Aber received two yellow cards for high tackles, one on Nathaniel Butler which was converted by Tommason to put the hosts 10 -8 up at half time.

Aberaeron dug deep to keep Llandybie at bay but the hosts did not take advantage of the two extra men. Another high tackle on Rhys Evans and Tommason put Llandybie further ahead. The hosts lost Rhydian Jones (knee) and Rhys Cann to injury replaced by Lyndon Davies and Dan Brooks. Aberaeron kicked a penalty by Rhodri Jenkins. The visitors received another yellow and a red card for more high tackles with Tommason kicking both penalties.

The game was played at a furious pace and Llandybie had two players yellow carded in the last ten minutes. Aberaeron piled on the pressure but good chasing of clearance kicks ,by wingers Johnny Harris and Ben Featherstone brought some relief. Aberaeron put in two good forward drives but were held up by fantastic defence by Llandybie.  Sion Davies, Lyndon Davies, McClelland, Matthew Meredith ,Dai Lloyd and Butler and winger Harris  were in the thick of it. Aberaeron threw the ball wide and sneaked in at the corner to score a try by Aaron Lewis to give the healthy crowd a nail biting finish. Llandybie were resilient to the last running out winners in a close no holds barred rugby match. This victory keeps Llandybie top with second placed Pontyates next up down in Pontyates next Saturday.