ABERYSTWYTH drew 17 – 17 away to Newcastle Emlyn RFC in their WRU Championship West match on Saturday, writes Graham Harris.

Aberystwyth put in a strong team performance in the last quarter of the game to gain a draw in a feisty local derby. Newcastle Emlyn punished mistakes made by the visitors in the first half but faded in the second half and the points were shared.

On a dry, sunny day in the Teifi valley with a gusting wind blowing across the pitch, both sides tested defences with early box-kicking. An early penalty conceded by Aber resulted in Newcastle Emlyn full back Shaun Phillips-Leonard scoring the first points.

Aber’s winger Ben Jones won the first of several restarts during the game, but Aber could not build any forward momentum with slow ball from their rucks.

Scrums were evenly contested but Aber’s lineout was shaky in the windy conditions. Newcastle Emlyn missed a further penalty kick for goal and applied territorial pressure from the 22-metre drop-kick. Aber’s defensive kicks were easily fielded by the hosts.

A stolen Aber lineout in midfield saw Newcastle Emlyn grubber-kick through Aber’s defence and hack the ball on twice with hooker Ioan Rees-Lewis scoring a converted try. Aber’s fly half Dylan Benjamin converted a penalty into points from 40 metres out on the restart.

Aber were struggling to inject any impetus into their game, and play was held in midfield. A Newcastle Emlyn scrum on halfway was well won and quick ball allowed centre Sion Griffiths to score a converted try.

Once again Aber’s second half performance improved after the coaching staff’s team talk. Aber were soon on the attack, but despite mini breaks by both backs and forwards, they could not pierce the host’s defence, conceding possession with knock-ons.

An Aber penalty was kicked to the corner and a well won lineout, maul and solid rucking enabled fly half Benjamin to kick to the wing for winger Ben Jones to gather and score a converted try. In a frustrating period of the game, Aber were finding it difficult to put together a concerted period of pressure, despite good ruck work in numerous phases of play.

The hosts continued to press and a series of rucks on Aber’s try line were well defended with the ball held up over the line.

Aber were tapping penalties awarded and good breaks by the forwards pushed play up the field. Quick ball from Aber rucks released centre Jac Jones who broke free and supporting full back Leo Desouza-Davies crossed the try line but was controversially deemed to have knocked-on in the process.

Aber were now firmly on the front foot, winning any 50:50 balls and controlling the game. With time running out, Aber tapped a late penalty and from the resulting rucks Aber’s Mason Lees scored a try. The conversion would tie the game, and, with great composure, Benjamin stepped up and slotted the conversion with the last kick of the game.

A tense and exciting finish, with Aber dominating the final quarter and Newcastle Emlyn relieved to hear the final whistle.

Definitely a game of two halves, and a well-earned draw on the road for the whole Aber team.

Next Championship West match for the 1st XV – Glynneath at Cae Plascrug on 17th October, kick off 2.30pm.