The Aberdare Snakes welcomed Glamorgan Wanderers to the Ynys on a crisp Saturday afternoon with a point to prove. After two previous defeats to the Wanderers earlier in the season, the home side was determined to turn the tide and keep their winning streak alive. The Snakes didn’t disappoint, delivering a high-octane performance that ultimately secured a bonus-point victory, 31-25, in a pulsating match.

Aberdare couldn’t have asked for a better start. Straight from the kick-off, the Wanderers fumbled possession, gifting the Snakes an opportunity to attack. A few sharp carries through midfield laid the platform for outside-half Thomas Hopkins, who capitalised on a defensive gap. With a dummy, a sidestep, and a burst of pace, Hopkins glided over the try line within 40 seconds. Garyn Payne added the extras to give Aberdare an early 7-0 lead.

This fast start epitomised the Snakes’ game plan: strike quickly and put the Wanderers under pressure. The home side had clearly taken lessons from their previous encounters, where slow starts had cost them dearly.

The Wanderers were not about to be overwhelmed. Following a penalty deep in Aberdare’s 22, they opted for a line out, setting up a driving maul that rumbled ominously towards the try line. Breaking off from the maul, a Wanderers forward powered over to score their first try. The conversion attempt drifted wide, leaving the score at 7-5 after just five minutes of play.

For 15 minutes, possession see-sawed as both sides sought to gain the upper hand. Aberdare eventually broke the deadlock with a try that exemplified their attacking flair. A deft grubber kick from Thomas Roberts led to a chaotic bounce, eventually landing in Jarrad Rees’s hands. Quick offloads from Rees and Ben Miller fed Hopkins, who set up a series of powerful midfield carries.

From there, Payne and Kian Carter combined brilliantly, with Carter delivering a sharp offload to second-row partner Kieron Parry. Carter then picked up the ball from the ensuing ruck and dived over the line for the Snakes’ second try. Although the conversion was missed, Aberdare led 12-5 after 22 minutes.

The Wanderers, however, struck back with an impressive counterattacking try. Turning the ball over deep in their half, they exploited space on the outside with precision passing. Their winger’s pace and agility created opportunities, and after a series of offloads, they scored under the posts. The successful conversion levelled the score at 12-12, where it remained until halftime.

The opening exchanges of the second half were a tense affair. Both teams battled for territory, with penalties disrupting the flow. Aberdare’s defensive pressure ultimately forced an error, leading to a scrum just inside the Wanderers’ half. From this platform, Payne delivered a strong carry, drawing defenders before Hopkins released fullback Jarrad Rees. Rees accelerated past defenders and delivered a pinpoint pass to Ben Miller, who finished expertly in the corner.

The Snakes reclaimed the lead, 17-12, and were brimming with confidence.

With the momentum firmly on their side, Aberdare pushed for the all-important bonus-point try. A penalty awarded just inside the Wanderers’ half set the stage. Opting for a line out, the Snakes constructed a powerful maul that bulldozed its way into the opposition’s 22. Hopkins nearly scored after a sniping run, but a thunderous clear-out by captain Thomas Roberts allowed Leon Caviel to send a looping 20-meter pass to Miller, who crossed for his second try. Payne’s successful conversion extended the lead to 24-12.

True to their reputation, the Wanderers refused to back down. A penalty provided them with another opportunity to deploy their effective driving maul, and they duly scored their third try of the afternoon, narrowing the deficit to 24-17.

However, Aberdare responded almost immediately. Another penalty inside the Wanderers’ 22 led to a line out, and this time, the Snakes’ maul delivered the goods. Ben Staton, who had been immense throughout the match, powered over the line to score. Payne converted to bring up his 100th point of the season, and the Snakes now enjoyed a commanding 31-17 lead with 15 minutes to play.

The visitors weren’t done yet. Sustained pressure on the Aberdare defence led to a try in the wider channels, earning the Wanderers a bonus point for their fourth try. The missed conversion left the score at 31-22, but a successful penalty shortly afterward brought the margin down to 31-25.

The final moments were fraught with tension. Wanderers threw everything into their last attack, but Aberdare’s defence held firm. A crucial turnover by Owen Candemir allowed the Snakes to regain possession, and they smartly played for time. Despite losing possession once more, the visitors’ final chance ended with a forward pass, prompting the referee’s final whistle.

Aberdare’s 31-25 triumph showcased their resilience, attacking ingenuity, and defensive grit. The win marked their fifth consecutive victory, moving them up to fifth place in the table with 34 points, comfortably clear of the relegation zone.

While the Snakes can take pride in this performance, they remain grounded, knowing the season is far from over, With 12 games left. Next up is a challenging away fixture against Brynmawr on January 25th.