Fixture

On a dreary November afternoon, Aberdare RFC made the trip to the Tump, a notoriously challenging venue both on and off the field. Cambrian, licking their wounds from a heavy defeat the previous week, were ready to bounce back. But what they encountered was a Snakes side hungry to end their winless run with a performance that will long be remembered.

The hosts struck first, slotting an early penalty to go 3-0 up. But it didn’t take long for Aberdare to respond. Garyn Payne, in fine form with the boot, nailed a superb 40-meter penalty to draw the scores level.

The Snakes then got into their stride, with the backs and forwards combining beautifully to carve open the Cambrian defence. A veteran of many a battle, Rhys Shellard showed his class with a perfectly timed pass to put Ben Miller over in the corner for the first try of the match.

Although Cambrian managed another penalty to narrow the gap to 6-8, the game was already swinging firmly in Aberdare’s favour. Payne stepped up again with a monstrous 50-meter penalty to stretch the lead to 6-11, and the Snakes’ relentless pressure kept Cambrian pinned back.

With halftime approaching, Thomas Roberts produced a dazzling break through the defence, allowing Miller to grab his second try of the afternoon. Payne’s conversion made it 6-18 at the break, and the Aberdare faithful dared to dream of a rare victory at the Tump.

Aberdare came out firing in the second half, determined to build on their advantage. Despite a brief spell of pressure from Cambrian, the Snakes’ defensive resilience held strong.

When the visitors regained possession, they showed no mercy. From a driving line-out deep in Cambrian territory, Jamie Price broke off the maul with brute force to score, and Payne added the extras to make it 6-25.

That try signalled a dominant spell for the Snakes, with their attack looking unstoppable. Moments later, Daniel Lewis turned the ball over at the ruck, setting off a dazzling move. Quick hands from Nathan Terry and Payne released Captain Thomas Roberts, who fed Sam Coleman to score in the corner and secure the bonus point. Payne’s pinpoint conversion took the score to 6-32.

The Snakes weren’t done yet. Fullback Jarrad Rees smashed through four defenders with a barnstorming run, capping it off with a cheeky offload to Owen Candemir. Candemir popped the ball to Lewis, who finished the move with Aberdare’s fifth try. Payne’s flawless kicking brought the score to 6-39.

Reduced to 13 men in the closing minutes, the Snakes finally conceded a late try after sustained pressure from Cambrian. It was a minor blemish on an otherwise perfect performance.

The final whistle blew with the scoreboard reading Cambrian 11 - 39 Aberdare.

This was a performance to savour, with the Snakes delivering a comprehensive display of attacking flair and defensive grit. Securing their first win at the Tump, Aberdare will take immense confidence from this result as they prepare for the upcoming fixtures. With no game next weekend, the Snakes will now turn their attention to November 30th, when they host Ynysddu at the Ynys.