Match Reports 2007/8
Tredegar (24) Aberavon (29)
December 15th 007
Match Report by Lyndon Evans
Aberavon managed to hold off a spirited Tredegar performance
to clinch victory in the WRU cup and end Tredegar’s cup hopes for this
season.
With 9 tries scored in total this was not the usual dour cup encounter with
Tredegar playing expansive rugby and wingman Daniel Davies looked the quickest
player on the park bagging a brace of tries.
Fielding a jumbo pack the Wizards were stunned when Jamie Noble stormed over
celebrating his call up to the Wales Clubs Squad and Greg Jones conversion
saw the home team lead 7 nil. Aberavon with their short inside passes hit
back touching down twice and with a sole conversion lead by 5 points.
This spurred Tredegar into action and Davies first try was one of the best witnessed at the recreation ground. Fielding the ball in his own half the isolated winger wrong footed his opposite number to break away. With a sure-footed kick the speedster outpaced the covering defence and touched down to level the scores. Davies second try came from his blistering pace when he kicked ahead beating the covering defence, showing the opposition a clean pair of heels. Jones conversion saw Tredegar hold a well deserved 7 point lead at the interval.
Following the break the heavier Aberavon eight held Tredegar in a stranglehold
in their own 22 but the home defence stood firm turning the attacking tide
back time and time again. With Tredegar putting in an excellent team performance
all credit should be given to the front five who more than matched the visitors
from the premier division, whilst the home back row combined well both in
attack and defence.
Mathew Taylor finally settling in at scrum half, cajoled and marshalled his troops all afternoon with the back division covering and tackling their hearts out. Aberavon scored first in the second half but the ebullient Stuart Jarman barged over to draw the scores level with play entering the last quarter. With a draw and extra time looming Tredegar fell victim to an attack from the Wizards and with the ref unsighted a blatant forward pass saw the visitors steal victory in the dying minutes.
Tredegar can feel justifiably proud at their performance against the premier
division outfit and if this performance can be repeated in the league then
success will come.
With Tredegar’s next home match against Pill Harriers on Sat 29th Dec.,
the officials and team wish all supporters a very happy Christmas.