Aberavon GS 21 Sports 11

Aberavon were crowned Champions of Division 5 (South Central) in a game which failed to go "according to script". The previous time these teams met resulted in a big win for Aberavon GS by 76 points to 13, and they started the game with hopes of recording another emphatic win, but they we destined to be disappointed.

Aberavon started the game in dominant fashion, pinning Bridgend Sports into their own 22 for the first 10 minutes, and if it wasn't for the Sports' resolute defence at this time, the game could have headed in a much different direction. The Sports managed to survive this early pressure thanks to a "never say die" attitude in defence and some excellent clearing kicks by Nathan Townley and Gary Punter. It was the ever-reliable Townley that put the first points on the board with a long range penalty kick after 15 minutes, but the Sports joy was short-lived as popular scrum half Owen Pengilly was yellow carded for talking back to the referee, he wouldn't be the last Sports player to spend some time off the pitch.

During the next 10 minutes Aberavon had multiple opportunities for kicks at goal, but chose instead to go for lineouts, a tactic that got them nowhere against this resolute Sports defence. Then the moment of the game, an epic try by winger Pete Roberts, a try that would grace any game at any level. The move started deep in the Sports half with some excellent work by top try scorer Matt Murphy who evaded multiple tacklers while exchanging passes with the delighted Roberts who crossed the Aberavon line much to his delight and to that of players and spectators alike. Townley missed the conversion in an ever-increasing cross wind, but made amends with a penalty kick shortly afterwards to make the score 11-0 to the Jubilant Sports. By this time Pengilly had served his time in the bin, only to be replaced on the stroke of half time by Mitch John for a similar "offence".

At 11 nil down Aberavon feared their first defeat of the season was on the cards, and thus started the second half with a very different attitude. The forward play became a lot more "physical", and penalties were no longer kicked to touch. However, by now the cross wind was vicious and kicks for goal were becoming a lottery. As the hour mark approached the Aberavon pack were once again pinning the Sports team in their own 22, and after a seemingly good try was disallowed, Aberavon soon got their breakthrough with a close drive on 62 minutes to make the score 11-7.

As the Aberavon score increased their discipline decreased, but it was the bloodied Sports defence that felt the wrath of some questionable decisions from the referee, having 2 players sent off for a trip and for dissent. Two further tries for Aberavon left the final score at 21-11 with Aberavon taking a "victory at all costs" mentality to a very physical extreme.
With just 2 games remaining for the Green Stars, they will have very realistic hopes of going the whole season unbeaten, and can begin to look forward to next season in Division 4 (South West). Bridgend Sports haven't reached the same heights as Aberavon in the league, but can be proud of their season, not just in men's rugby but also at age-grade and women's levels. Next up for Bridgend Sports are two Wednesday games against Cwmgwrach and Cefn Cribbwr,