Match Report: Aberavon 28 – 29 Bridgend
by Paul Williams

Anyone doubting the potential of the WRU’s new Super Rygbi Cymru competition should, on the evidence of this thriller, be thinking again. Thankfully the Talbot Athletic Ground pitch had recovered from the deluge that put paid at half-time to the Wizards’ previous home match against Newport, and on a surface perfect for running rugby, both teams served up a fine display with the result, quite literally, in doubt until the final kick of the match.

The Aberavon story thus far this season has been very much a case of watching a youthful squad develop, and there is an ongoing sense of optimism that a bright future awaits as experience and physical presence gradually increase. Head coach remained upbeat after this narrow defeat, and was particularly pleased with a substantial improvement in discipline, with the penalty count against his team being less than half the total they conceded a week earlier.

The visitors, for their part, enjoyed the benefit of greater experience and enjoyed one of the standout performances of the afternoon from ex-Pontypridd fly-half Ben Burnell. The Wizards, meanwhile, had their own magician in the form of wing Cori Lewis-Jenkins among several other noteworthy displays throughout the team. Rhys Thomas, leading the side in the absence of injured skipper Joe Gage, once again hardly put a foot wrong alongside Ashton Evans and Taine Morgan in a hard-working back row, while at the other end of the experience scale the coaching team must have been delighted by the performances of Dylan James, Jack Beazer and Louis Fletcher, three young props who played their part in ensuring a solid scrum.

Bridgend drew first blood with a straightforward penalty from Burnell, but the Aberavon response was immediate as Ed Dunford’s perfectly-weighted restart was gathered by Lewis-Jenkins, who leapt high to gather the ball and sprint clear to the corner for Dunford to convert.

The score remained at 7-3 as play swung first one way then the other until, 25 minutes in, a rare defensive slip let Bridgend in with much-travelled full-back Edd Howley crossing for Burnell to convert. Shortly afterwards a loose pass was snapped up by the visitors and flanker Alfie Llewellyn was over for Burnell to again add the extras.

The first half ended when a promising Aberavon attack down the right wing saw Caine Woolerton denied a try on the advice of an assistant referee who had spotted a knock-on in the build-up, leaving the half-time score standing at 7-17.

Two Dunford penalties reduced the deficit soon after the interval, and then at the end of the third quarter sustained pressure gave the Wizards a foothold in Bridgend territory, and from a lineout some ten metres out the home pack made short work of driving forward over the goal-line for industrious hooker Luke Davies to claim the try, with fly-half Dunford again converting.

Ten minutes later Bridgend were again ahead after tries from replacement Corey Lewis and Howley again, with the former being converted by Burnell. At 20-29 the visitors were beginning to count their chickens, but further drama followed as the Wizards’ collective fitness level began to take its toll. Dunford put over another penalty to make it 23-29 with five minutes left and the visitors did their utmost to slow things down and keep play in Aberavon territory, but a truly remarkable ’50-22’ kick from Scott Delnevo got the Wizards back onto the front foot and, after several minutes’ siege on the Bridgend line and Woolacott being bundled into touch inches short of the line, the home pack took charge, forcing another penalty which earned the visitors a stern lecture from the referee, the ball was sent out wide where the ever eager Lewis-Jenkins showed a clean pair of heels to all concerned en route to the try line.

It all hinged on the conversion attempt from way out close to the touchline. Sadly for the Wizards, and despite being allowed a second attempt by the referee after Bridgend had illegally charged early, Dunford’s attempt fell just inches away from glory, with Aberavon beaten but most definitely unbowed.

In the words of Jason Hyatt, “These lads are learning every week” – that much is self-evident in the confidence they display and their incredible never-say-die attitude.

Date:
Saturday October 12th, 2024

Score:
Aberavon 28 – 29 Bridgend

Aberavon Team:
Scott Delnevo; Cori Lewis-Jenkins (temp rep Dylan James 21-34 min), Frankie Jones, Sam Jardine (rep Luke Davies 72 min), Caine Woolerton; Ed Dunford, Elis Horgan (rep Liam Seaward 73 min); Rowan Jenkins (rep Dylan James 70 min), Luke Davies (rep Cameron Lewis 76 min), Jack Beazer (rep Louis Fletcher 45 min), Shay Smallman, Lewis Marsh (rep James Clegg 70 min), Rhys Thomas (capt) (blood rep Andrew Waite 18-32 min), Ashton Evans, Taine Morgan (rep Andrew Waite 56 min).

Replacement Not Used:
Charlie Thomas.

Notes:
Cori Lewis-Jenkins & Dylan James appeared from the Ospreys; Sam Jardine appeared from Cwmavon RFC; James Clegg appeared from Pontrhydyfen RFC.

Aberavon Scorers:
T – Cori Lewis-Jenkins (2), Luke Davies
C – Ed Dunford (2)
P – Ed Dunford (3)

Bridgend Scorers:
T – Edd Howley (2), Alfie Llewellyn, Corey Lewis
C – Ben Burnell (3)
P – Ben Burnell

Referee:
Ben Connor

Man Of The Match:
1 – Cori Lewis-Jenkins
2 – Ed Dunford
3 – Rhys Thomas

Time Line:
06 min: Bridgend – PG – Ben Burnell (0 – 3)
06 min: Aberavon – T – Cori Lewis-Jenkins & C – Ed Dunford (7 – 3)
20 min: Aberavon – Yellow Card – Rowan Jenkins
24 min: Bridgend – T – Edd Howley & C – Ben Burnell (7 – 10)
28 min: Bridgend – T – Alfie Llewellyn & C – Ben Burnell (7 – 17)
34 min: Aberavon – End Yellow Card – Rowan Jenkins
40+2 min: Half Time
42 min: Aberavon – PG – Ed Dunford (10 – 17)
45 min: Aberavon – PG – Ed Dunford (13 – 17)
59 min: Aberavon – T – Luke Davies & C – Ed Dunford (20 – 17)
64 min: Bridgend – T – Corey Lewis & C – Ben Burnell (20 – 24)
69 min: Bridgend – T – Edd Howley (20 – 29)
75 min: Aberavon – PG – Ed Dunford (23 – 29)
80+6 min: Aberavon – T – Cori Lewis-Jenkins (28 – 29)
80+9 min: Full Time