|
Aberavon v Bedwas MatchPack : Report
|
 |
Jamie Davies notched 15 more points for the
Wizards, but 15 minutes from time tragedy struck as he sustained a
broken left arm.
Aberavon have now lost their most vital player and the leading
scorer once again in the Premiership and they |
 |
| will go into the cup semi-final against Pontypridd
with either James Garland, who is currently injured, or young Ricky
Thomas. |
They have also lost their goalkkicking ace and the victory was certainly
clouded with the news that came a few hours after the final whistle.
"If it has to be, then we have to get on with it," said coach Simon King.
"We did not play well but a win is a win and we will take that.
"Bedwas are a good side and young Adam Hughes from the Wales under-18s
scored a good try. If you let them have turnovers you will struggle."
Bedwas certainly provided shocks as they tore into the Wizards from the
start and soon led 10-0 and in the second half opened the gap to 27-17.
Aberavon, with many changes from the side that defeated Llandovery on
Tuesday, were on the back foot, but their heart and belief saw them
through.
For a change, Chris Morgans was not the force at scrum half and Gavin
Hooper came on to grab his chance with both hands.
Porthcawl youngsters Ricky Thomas and John Phillips made mistakes, but are
players for the future who will get more chances this season.
Steve Davies again showed his improvement and centres Paul Bamsey and John
Leyshon had a tough game, but held on well, while Jamie Davies was again
in his usual majestic way until injury hit.
Once more a referee would not give Aberavon the advantage they so
obviously held in the front row, but lock Lyndon Bateman capped a splendid
performance with a good try. Hopefully, he will again play for the club.
Bedwas opened with a penalty by Under-20 cap Jason Tovey and then wing
Jimmy Norris tore over for Tovey to convert, but Aberavon responded with a
splendid try by wing Steve Davies that Jamie Davies converted.
Tovey then kicked a penalty until Leyshon found a gap and Bateman surged
over with Davies again adding the extras.
Again Norris was unstoppable and Tovey converted for a 20-14 lead, though
Davies put over a good goal seconds before half-time.
The second half was only two minutes old when Hughes surged 70 metres for
a fine individual try that the deadly Tovey converted and Aberavon had a
mountain to climb.
Climb it they did as the pack hit back and Davies placed 47th and
51st-minute penalties to leave the Wizards four points adrift.
After 58 minutes Jamie Davies found his way through the defence and
unselfishly handed to Leyshon, who needed no second bidding. Davies added
the conversion.
One more score came after the fly half's injury as Ricky Thomas struck a
good goal, but Bedwas were hammering away at the final whistle.
ABERAVON.......33
Tries - S. Davies, L. Bateman, J. Leyshon. Cons - J. Davies (3). Pens - J.
Davies (3), R. Thomas.
Team - R. Thomas; S. Davies, P. Bamsey, J. Leyshon, J. Phillips; J. Davies
(repl L. Gadd 65), C. Morgans (repl G. Hooper 62); N. White (repl M.
Harris 47), C. Wells (repl M. Breeze 44), P. Breeze (repl A. Edwards 58),
L. Bateman, A. Fisher, I. Moore (capt) (repl D. Thomas 55), R. Morris (repl
R. Morgan 77), J. Tipuric.
BEDWAS...........27
Tries - J. Norris (2), A. Hughes. Cons - J. Tovey (3). Pens - J. Tovey
(2).
Team - S. Thomas; S. Horner, A. Hughes (repl J. Welch 20-25), D. Atkins (repl
J. Welch 64), J. Norris; J. Tovey, G. Crothers (repl J. Pizey 39); D.
Lewis (repl G. Leonard 47), B. Edwards (repl K. Crawford 55), K. Jenkins (repl
J. Salter 58), C. Powell, A. Brown (repl N. Lewis 32), A. Tibbatts (repl
P. Sargent 47), B. Lampitt, R. Downes (capt).
REFEREE - Phil Harrhy (Gilwern).
STAR CHOICE - Lyndon Bateman.
Howard Evans
| Report from the |
 |
|
|
