Match Report: Aberavon 31 – 33 Merthyr
by Paul Williams
Aberavon were inches away from victory over Merthyr in what looks like being the last encounter between the two clubs for quite some time, with the Wizards entering the WRU’s new Elite Development Competition next season, while the Ironmen have decided their future lies elsewhere and have opted to take their place in the Community Premiership with effect from next season.
Since Merthyr’s rise to prominence there have been some epic clashes between the two clubs, and this one certainly scored high for entertainment value, with there never being much to choose between either on the scoreboard or in the run of play. Ten tries were shared equally, with the margin of victory ultimately being one more successful conversion attempt from the visitors’ fly half Josh Lewis than the three his opposite number James Davies put between the sticks. Davies was narrowly and agonisingly just wide with a late drop-goal attempt that would, perhaps should, have won it for the Wizards.
The match was played at top speed as both teams sought to move the ball wide, providing thrills and spills galore as play switched from end to end and back again. Wing Morgan Meaclem crossed after three minutes for Lewis to convert. The Wizards hit back when Frankie Jones picked up a loose ball and his pace left the cover for dead as he crossed in the corner for Davies to send over the most difficult of conversions.
Going into the second quarter flanker Kian Evans crashed over to put the visitors ahead, but that was cancelled out when a period of intense pressure on the Merthyr line ended with quick passing putting Stef Andrews over in the corner to make it 12-12, but then on the stroke of half time veteran lock Craig Locke was driven over for Lewis to convert, making it 12-19 at the interval.
The gap was narrowed almost directly from the restart as Jay Baker evaded several tackles before breaking through another to score in the right-hand corner. Davies’ conversion attempt, crucially, drifted just wide in the swirling wind. Back came the visitors with a try by wing Adam Hoskins which Lewis again goaled, giving his team a nine-point advantage, but it was short-lived as Aberavon line-out ace Rhodri Hughes plunged over for his second try in as many matches – quite an achievement for a man whose contribution is generally more about providing possession for his fellow players.
Davies’ conversion closed the gap to two points and then, as the match clock approached the hour mark, Hughes’ second-row partner Shay Smallman powered his way over with Davies’ conversion making it 31-26.
It was the prolific Lewis who had the last word however, with a smart try and conversion to make it 31-33, and a frantic final quarter played out with the Wizards battering away at a resolute defence, Davies’ drop-shop falling just wide, and finally a controversial end as a driving maul from the Wizards looked like trundling all the way to the try-line and beyond until it was brought to ground just short. Many looking on from the grandstand side of the pitch were calling for a penalty for a deliberate collapse, but with referee Gareth Newman unsighted on the far side of the maul, it wasn’t to be.
Date:
Saturday Match 9th, 2024
Score:
Aberavon 31 – 33 Merthyr
Aberavon Team:
Scott Delnevo; Jay Baker, Frankie Jones, Bradley Rodrick (rep Chris Banfield 65 min), Stef Andrews; James Davies, Scott Whitlock; Rowan Jenkins (capt) (rep Rhys Fawcett 65 min), Luke Davies (rep Cameron Lewis 67 min), Geraint James (rep Morgan James 73 min), Shay Smallman, Rhodri Hughes, James Clegg (rep Rhys Thomas 65 min), Andrew Waite, Cameron Loveys (rep Casey Williams 73 min).
Replacements Not Used:
Rhodri Cole, Aled Thomas.
Notes:
Scott Whitlock appeared from Aberavon Green Stars RFC; James Clegg & Cameron Loveys appeared from Trebanos RFC; Morgan James appeared from Penclawdd RFC.
Aberavon Scorers:
T – Frankie Jones, Stef Andrews, Jay Baker, Rhodri Hughes, Shay Smallman
C – James Davies (3)
Merthyr Scorers:
T – Morgan Meaclem, Kian Evans, Craig Locke, Adam Hoskins, Josh Lewis
C – Josh Lewis (4)
Referee:
Gareth Newman
Man Of The Match:
1 – Scott Whitlock
2 – Scott Delnevo
3 – Rhodri Hughes
Time Line:
03 min: Merthyr – T – Morgan Meaclem & C – Josh Lewis (0 – 7)
08 min: Aberavon – T – Frankie Jones & C – James Davies (7 – 7)
23 min: Merthyr – T – Kian Evans (7 – 12)
30 min: Aberavon – T – Stef Andrews (12 – 12)
39 min: Merthyr – T – Craig Locke & C – Josh Lewis (12 – 19)
40 min: Half Time
41 min: Aberavon – T – Jay Baker (17 – 19)
45 min: Merthyr – T – Adam Hoskins & C – Josh Lewis (17 – 26)
48 min: Aberavon – T – Rhodri Hughes & C – James Davies (24 – 26)
54 min: Merthyr – Yellow Card – Ben Sier
57 min: Aberavon – T – Shay Smallman & C – James Davies (31 – 26)
64 min: Merthyr – T – Josh Lewis & C – Josh Lewis (31 – 33)
80+2 min: Full Time
