National League Division Four South East

Aberdare RFC 38 pts

Llantwit Major RFC 8 pts

Aberdare make the best possible start to the new season with 15 out of 15.

Aberdare hosted Llantwit Major RFC at the Ynys.  In the early stages of the game honours were even with both sides playing some good rugby but failing to put points on the board.

It was Aberdare’s centre Matthew Smith that broke the deadlock when he crossed for the games opening try.  Aberdare ring wing Rafferty added the extra two points with a finely struck conversion, Aberdare take the lead 7 to nil after 21 minutes.  Aberdare’s workhorse scrum half Gavin Hek was singled out by the referee and was sent from the pitch for 10 minutes following some fancy footwork, with Hek off the pitch Llantwit Major used the one man advantage and crossed ring in the left corner for an unconverted try to reduce Aberdare’s lead to 7 – 5.

On his return to the action after his rest on the sideline Gavin Hek darted his way over for Aberdare’s second try, following an excellent drive from the lineout by all of Aberdare’s forwards, which saw Hek collect the ball at the base of the ruck and drive over from the five points.  Unfortunately Rafferty was unable to add the two extra points. Aberdare 12 – 5 half time.

At the start of the second half Aberdare’s out of retirement left wing James Furey crossed for his first and Aberdare’s third try. This went unconverted Aberdare now lead 17 – 5, after another infringement Aberdare saw Captain Mark Brennan sent from the pitch for 10 minutes following a yellow card.  Llantwit Major added a penalty following the binning of Brennan.  Aberdare 17 – 8.

Matthew Smith then added his second try with a dive between the posts, when then gave Aberdare maximum points for their fourth try; this try was converted by Charlie Roberts from directly in front of the posts, Aberdare 24 – 8.

From the restart the ball found its way to Gavin Hek who with a fine break evaded all the would be tacklers and slipping a pass to centre Matthew Smith who was dragged down just inside the visitors 22 and the resulting scrum went to the visitors who with quick ball at the base of the scrum, the visiting scrumhalf flicked a ball to his outside half which was stole out of the air by Aberdare’s open side flanker Gavin Rees, who crossed under the posts to make the conversion that bit easier for Charlie Roberts to add the addition two points. Aberdare 31 – 8.

Aberdare final try followed yet another fine catch and drive which involved all of the Aber forwards, Gareth Rosser, DJ, Simon Davies, Chappell, Watts, Brennan and Rees all worked tirelessly to drive Anthony Shellard across the line to make the score 36 – 8.  With a difficult conversion facing him Charlie Roberts slotted the ball between to uprights to secure the addition two points,

Aberdare 38 – 8.

Next Saturday 29 September Aberdare are home to University Wales Newport in the Konica Minolta Cup, kick-off is at 1.30 pm due to the Wales v Fiji game which kicks-off at 4.00 pm.