Fixture

Aberdare RFC Match Report - WRU Div 1 Cup Round 1

Final Score: Rhydyfelin 24 - 16 Aberdare

In what was an eagerly anticipated showdown, Aberdare RFC made the trek down the A470 to face Rhydyfelin in the first round of the WRU Div 1 Cup.

Aberdare wasted no time in announcing their intentions. They burst out of the blocks, with Jamie Richards demonstrating his accuracy by slotting two precise penalties. The scoreboard read 0-6 in Aberdare's favour, and the early momentum was firmly in their grasp. With confidence soaring, Aberdare sought to capitalise further on their early dominance. However, unforced errors and a lack of clinical execution began to take its toll, thwarting the young Snakes' attempts to assert their dominance. Against the flow of play, Rhydyfelin managed to breach our defences and swiftly converted their opportunity, swinging the pendulum in their favour, taking a 7-6 lead. Undeterred by the sudden reversal, Aberdare exhibited resilience and swiftly counterattacked. They earned a penalty opportunity, which was confidently dispatched by the accurate boot of Morgan Biggins. Aberdare entered the halftime break with a deserved lead of 7-9. However, this lead was tinged with frustration, as Aberdare recognised that missed opportunities had prevented them from establishing a more substantial advantage.

The second half unfolded much like the first, with Aberdare continuing to dictate the terms of engagement. A break downfield presented a golden opportunity to extend the lead, but a crucial final pass went astray. Rhydyfelin, capitalising on Aberdare's lapses, staged a spirited comeback, soon seizing the lead with a try and successful conversion, making it 14-9. Buoyed by newfound confidence, Rhydyfelin extended their advantage with a penalty, stretching the score to 17-9. True to our tradition, the young Aberdare squad refused to concede defeat, relentlessly pressing their opponents. However, persistent handling errors and untimely mistakes proved to be our undoing. Rhydyfelin capitalised on Aberdare's difficulties, scoring a second try, and converting it to further extend their lead to 24-9. Aberdare had the last word in this thrilling contest, with club captain Thomas Roberts crossing the try line beneath the posts. The try was impeccably converted by Morgan Biggins, concluding the match with a final score of Rhydyfelin 24 - 16 Aberdare.

Despite the disappointment of bowing out in the opening round of the cup, Aberdare RFC acknowledges that the game was lost due to our own missteps rather than Rhydyfelin's superiority.

Our focus now shifts to the impending local derby against Abercwmboi, where we aim to rebound with renewed determination.

We extend our congratulations to Rhydyfelin on their victory and wish them the best of luck for the remainder of the season and in the subsequent rounds of the cup.