Try Fest Defeat at Wizards

ABERAVON 54 LLANELLI 29

Aberavon took five points from a splendid game of open rugby and Llanelli, who scored five tries, fully deserved their bonus point.

Aberavon head coach Jason Hyatt said: “We had plenty of energy tonight in a good display and Llanelli joined in for a very entertaining game.

“We often seen to score about 19 points and then somehow switch off, but tonight we kept on going. Llanelli kept coming back, but we always looked more likely to win it.”

Llanelli coach Paul Fisher was full of praise for his young squad and said: “When you come to somewhere like Aberavon, especially when they are in this sort of form, you are a little bit pleased to come away with a point.”.

The ‘Wizards’ had a brace of tries from three players, two of whom were replacements in the second half, while speedy wing Liam Hutchins picked up two tries for the losers.

Aberavon gained an early try by flanker Lee Purnell that Chris Banfield converted, but flanker Ellis Thomas replied from a lineout drive and Ioan Hughes goaled it.

In the final five minutes of the half, Llanelli conceded two tries and lost two players to yellow cards. First Aberavon took the lead that they never lost with Jacob Flynn sending Stef Andrews in and forward drives led to a penalty try.

At the half the Wizards led 19-7, early in the second period with Llanelli down two players Aberavon got their bonus point try when Andrew crossed for his second of the game.

An Ashley Sutton break put Hutchins over, but replacement Jonny Phillips scored splendidly and Banfield converted.

Again, Llanelli hit back as hooker Rhys Cherry scored only for ‘Wizards’ replacement flanker Ashton Evans to score a solo try that Banfield goaled.

The wonderful ball-sense by Phillips saw him race clear for another clever try and Banfield converted only for Hutchins to score a great team try for Llanelli at 47-22.

Llanelli’s fifth try came from full back Kalum Evans and Hughes added the extras but Aberavon had the final say as Ashton Evans raced clear and Banfield added his sixth conversion.

So, in the end a comfortable win for Aberavon, but Llanelli came away with a losing bonus point and must now focus their attention to next week’s game at RGC.