On a hot April afternoon, The Snakes travelled to Ynysddu in the Gwent valleys, fully aware of the battle ahead. The home side, fighting to stay up, were always going to bring everything. What followed was a fast, physical match in the sun with 10 tries shared, 5 each, in a real thriller.

Ynysddu came flying out of the blocks. Just three minutes in, a chip and chase by their number 12 caught us out and gave them the first try, which they converted. 

A few minutes later, the same player broke through weak tackles to get his second, and the score read 14-0 to the home side after just 9 minutes.

Aberdare were slow to start, but once we settled into the game, we found our rhythm. With a penalty advantage, scrum half Leon Caviel spotted a gap and darted through to score our first try, converted by Garyn Payne to make it 14-7.

Confidence was growing. A clever 50/22 kick by Cameron Samuel set up a line out deep in Ynysddu territory. From the maul, Caviel and Payne combined to release Thomas Roberts, who passed to Jarrad Rees for our second. Payne added the extras – 14-14.

Ynysddu hit back after a deflected kick gave them a scrum 5 metres out. They powered over with a dominant shove to earn a penalty try and led again, 21-14.

But on the stroke of half time, Aberdare hit back. After choosing a tap and go from a penalty, Connor Lacey barged through multiple defenders to score our third. Payne, cool as ever, slotted the conversion. At half-time, it was all square, 21-21.

Straight after the break, we took the lead for the first time. A driving maul from a line out rolled forward and Adam Parry touched down. Another conversion from Payne made it 21-28.

The Snakes were now in control. A clever grubber kick from Thomas Roberts led to a loose ball, gathered by Garyn Payne, who powered over for our fifth try. The conversion missed, but we stretched our lead to 21-33.

Ynysddu, however, weren’t finished. They fought hard and scored two late tries in the corner, both unconverted, to bring the game to 31-33.

Aberdare stood tall in defence, and with minutes left, earned a penalty 40 metres out. Up stepped Payne once again to coolly slot the kick and take the score to 31-36. That’s how it ended, with Aberdare holding on for a massive away win and taking home the full 5 points.

It was a tough, gritty performance in testing heat, but the boys got the job done.

We now turn our focus to a huge clash at home next weekend against Bedwas, who are pushing for promotion.