In the penultimate clash of the 2024/25 season, Aberdare RFC welcomed St Peters to the Ynys on a sun-drenched afternoon.

With memories of a dominant away victory in September still fresh, the Snakes were eager to repeat that performance but St Peters clearly arrived in search of redemption.

From the outset, the visitors imposed themselves. A penalty after 15 minutes gave them the early lead, and within minutes they added a well-worked try, with the conversion sailing through the posts to make it 0–10.

The pressure was relentless. Two more converted tries followed in quick succession, and suddenly Aberdare found themselves trailing 0–24 with less than half an hour played.

Things went from bad to worse as St Peters crossed for a fourth converted try, putting them 0–31 up and flipping the script from the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

Aberdare, however, responded with heart just before the break. A flowing, multi-phase move, starting deep in the Snakes’ own half, saw Ben Miller, debutant Jac Lewis, Matthew Lloyd, Garyn Payne, Kieron Parry, Peter Richmond, and Leon Caviel all link up brilliantly for a well-deserved try. Payne converted, and the sides went into the break at 7–31.

The second half saw Aberdare chase the game with renewed energy. But despite their efforts to speed things up, St Peters cleverly disrupted the rhythm, slowing the play with stoppages and capitalising on a string of penalties against the hosts.

It took until the 65th minute for the Snakes to finally break through again, Connor Lacey powered over in the corner after a bouncing line out, and Payne added the extras to make it 14–31.

Ben Miller added a third try with a neat finish in the corner, and though the conversion was missed, Aberdare were within 12. 

A long-range penalty from St Peters stemmed any momentum before Miller struck again with a brilliant solo effort to end the scoring at 24–34.

A disappointing first half ultimately cost Aberdare, but the fightback showed character and promise, something the squad will look to build on next week in the season finale at home to Talywain.

Huge congratulations to Jac Lewis and Harrison James on making their 1st XV debuts.