Croesyceiliog RFC - 13

FOLLOWING in the wake of the unexpected departure of talented new outside-half Nathan Preece and the late withdrawl of captain Gareth Williams, Aber's coaches had to do another spot of last minute juggling to put 15 fully fit and skilled players on the field for Saturday's clash with Croesyceiliog.

Maintaining their unbeaten home record, Aber are proving the old adage that strength is forged through adversity as the club rallied through a diverse mix of youth and experience to to produce another fine Bailey Park win over the Cockerels.

Stuart Davies stepped up to the plate to fill both the Captain's shoes and the vacant outside half berth.

With no other front row availability coach Tony Edwards was again pressed into service at prop and former club captain and prop Howard Davies had to be wheeled out of the potting shed for one more battle.

Whippersnapper Owen Staphnil stepped in as hooker to bless the front row with the combined experience of nearly 120 years. Prompting the thought that If vitamin tablets and cod liver oil tablets are ever made banned substances by the WRU the club would be in trouble!

With a 30 year age gap between the oldest and youngest player in the side, perhaps the committee could approach Sanatogen for some sponsorship next season?

The back row had a dynamic look with pace man Tom Rees returning at open side and Josh Hitchman at six with the reliable Paul Cornock at rudder.

Ed Davies returned to inside centre forming a new partnership with Jack Flowers. Carlo Jones returned as scrum half and the back three remained the same as last week.

Croesy took an early lead with a penalty before Aber opened their account with a break by Jack Flowers through the middle.

Flowers fed Stuart Davies who chose to ignore the three man overlap outside him and go for the posts.

He was caught but the ball was recycled and Ed Davies found a gap and scored beneath the posts, converted by Davies (7-3).

Croesy responded with a driving maul in front of Aber's posts that yielded a converted try to give them back the lead (7-10). The visitors further shocked the home side after breaking from their 22 following a penalty and covering 80 yards in seconds to be awarded a further penalty in front of Aber's posts to take the score to 7-13.

Aber responded quickly and Stuart Davies with a speculative chip to the left wing was gathered by Tom Rees who drew his man to release wing Andy Watson for a run in under the posts converted by Davies, (14-13).

A penalty from Stuart Davies closed the first half giving Aber a narrow 17-13 lead.

The second half began as the first had ended with another Stuart Davies penalty that soared high through the sticks (20-13).

The experience of Aber's front row was now taking its toll on the opposition, particularly that of Howard Davies, whose bulk and strength were too much in close quarters. Davies ground his opposite prop into submission and continually ripped ball free from victims at mauls.

The scrums were much improved from last week with Steve Coles and Alex Gethin in the engine room providing the power.

A well worked try was scored from first phase with a scrum on the visitors 22, as Cornock fed Jones and the defence split allowing full back Ryan Williams to bisect the line and score (25-13).

Wing Will Willimas is a great asset and often creates breaks from nowhere with his bristling energy and broken field strike running. On Saturday he burst through centre field like a demented stallion making 50 yards out of nothing, released Stuart Davies in support with Tom Rees who could have scored himself but unselfishly fed Jack Flowers to score in the corner for the bonus point converted by Davies (who thought he could not kick), 32-13.

Croesy were now out on their feet but Aber were relentless and another speculative kick from Davies bounced into the arms of wing Andy Watson for his second try and final score of the game (37-13).

By unanimous decision, man of the match went to Howard Davies as a true clubman who came out of retirement to save the club.

Next week Aber travel to Risca seeking their first away victory.