National League Division Four South East

Aberdare RFC 44 pts

Ferndale RFC 8 pts

In a change fixture due to problems with Ferndale’s facilities, Aberdare hosted Ferndale RFC at the Ynys.

Division Four South East newcomers Ferndale opened their account when their rightwing crossed in the corner for the games opening try which was converted to give the visitor the lead.  Aberdare then responded with some very good midfield play resulting in Craig Smith crossing in the corner for an unconverted try.  At the restart the forwards gathered the ball and fed it out to release the backs, again after some very good play between the Centres James Daniels and Craig Smith, Smith crossed over for his second of the day, this try also went unconverted by the usually dependable Steven ‘Charlie’ Roberts.  Aberdare now lead the visitors by 10 pts to 7 pts.

A further try was added by Anthony ‘The Bear’ Watts following a very good passage of play that seen all the forwards mauling towards the Ferndale try line, with the ever present Watts on hand to cross for a try converted by Roberts. Aberdare 17 pts – 7 pts

Aberdare’s next score came from a restart when Matthew Shellard collected the ball, and sidestepped and dummied his way past all the Ferndale forwards with only two of the Ferndale back line between him and the try line he passed the ball to the ever present Gavin Hek who with a turn of speed raced away to score under the posts, this try was converted by the evergreen Steven ‘Charlie’ Roberts. Aberdare are now leading the game 24 pts to 7 pts.  Ferndale was then awarded a penalty which was converted to raise their score to 10 pts just before halftime.

The second half opened with Roberts kicking a penalty to increase Aberdare’s lead to 27 – 10.  Again after some fine play involving both Forwards and Backs, Stephen Chappell was rewarded with a try which Roberts slotted between the posts to give Aberdare a now comfortable lead of 34 – 10.  Roberts then missed an awkward penalty attempt sailing the ball wide of the upright.  Ferndale were then under pressure to clear their lines and a charged down clearance kick was plucked out of the air by Chappell and fed to Aberdare’s last season Youth star ‘Rafferty’ who crossed for his firs Senior try for Aberdare.  With Roberts leaving the pitch through injury the kicking duties were passed to James Daniels who was unable to add the extra points. 

Ferndale responded with a try of their own which also went unconverted, the score now standing at 39 to 15 in Aberdare’s favour.  Yet again it was ‘Rafferty’ who added to the score with his second try which again went unconverted.

The final score was Aberdare 44 – 15 Ferndale, with Aberdare yet again taking maximum league points after securing the bonus points.

Aberdare 1XV are next hosts to Llantwit Major on Saturday 22 September.