Falcons clinch promotion

Abertysswg were celebrating last night (May 21) after clinching promotion to Division Four of the national leagues with a 28-12 win over Pontrhydyfen in the Division Five play-off match at Llanharan.

Scrum-half Jamie Perry spins the ball wide

The Falcons outscored their rivals three tries to two with full back Ricky Jones bagging a brace, while centre Richard Theophillus added ten points with the boot. 

The Dairyfield was bathed in sunshine as the sides took to the pitch, and with perfect conditions, both sides set about playing expansive rugby.

It was the Five South Central runners up that got off to the stronger start. With Abertysswg attempting to find their feet in the match after a scrappy start, it was Pontrhydyfen who landed the first blow.

Scrum-half Matthew Morgan and wing Tom Frost combined well to send captain Craig Cox crashing under the posts from close range, with fly-half Rory Williams adding the extras.

The Afan Valley side continued to look threatening as the back three sought to attack at every opportunity, and could have been further ahead if not for Williams’ penalty from 40 metres out just drifting wide of the post.

The packs were evenly matched at the set piece

The Falcons, who had been slowly growing into the match, got their lucky break just before the half hour mark. An up and under caused chaos in defence for Pont and the bouncing ball was gathered by Aber centre Theophillus, before offloading to lock Steve Jones who delightedly crossed. Theophillus dusted himself off to add the conversion and draw the sides level.

With newly found confidence, it didn't take Aber long before they were once again celebrating. Going through the phases in the Pont 22, the ball moved wide with full back Jones showing great vision and desire to create the extra man and go over out-wide.

Ricky Jones crosses for Abertysswg

After surrendering the lead, Pontrhydyfen didn’t lie down and threw everything at their rivals before the interval. Williams missed another shot at goal before inflicting a period of intense pressure on the Aber line.

The Five South Central runners up were held up twice thanks to some desperate defence from the Falcons, with both teams knew a score here would change the outlook of the second half.

The final play of the half saw Pontrhydyfen have the put-in 5 metres out from their rivals' line. With the scrum holding firm, Cox picked up from the base and drove towards the whitewash, but referee Jonathan Mason decided that the ball was once again held up and blew up for half time.

With the Falcons denying Pont time and time again before the interval, you felt the next score was crucial and it was the Caerphilly side that took their chance, shifting the ball wide with wing Gareth Lerwell’s inside ball finding Jones for his second of the night. Theophillus was once again on hand to slot the extras and added a penalty a short while later to give Aber a 22-7 lead.

Pontrhydyfen were shell shocked but regrouped well, with their efforts rewarded with a penalty. Williams pushed it into the corner and after a good catch and drive from Cox, broke off the blindside to send Matthew Morgan scampering over.

Pontrhydyfen test the Falcons defence

The try renewed the Afan Valley side’s belief, and a great chip and gather from Williams saw them threaten the Aber defence but the final pass failed to go to hand. With their tails up Pont were in the ascendancy, however, the Falcons' defence replied to the challenge with vigour, repelling wave after wave of attack.

With time ticking by and Pont getting desperate, the Caerphilly side knew another score would surely put the match to bed, and a rare foray into the opposition half in the final quarter saw centre Josh Perry fire over a drop goal, with Theophillus slotting another penalty soon after to seal the victory.

Abertysswg celebrate after the match

In a match played at a high intensity with both teams putting their bodies on the line, a few niggles crept into the game towards the end with each side reduced to 14 men for the closing moments. Referee Mason sin binned Pont’s replacement prop Alun Bevan for an off the ball scuffle, as well as Aber’s Jamie Perry for a tip tackle.

Abertysswg: Tries: S Jones 26, R Jones 32,46; Cons: R Theophillus 27,47; Pens: R Theophillus 56,77; Drop Goal: Josh Perry 73.

Pontrhydyfen: Tries: C Cox 9, M Morgan 58; Cons: R Williams 9.

Star Man: Richard Theophillus

Referee: Jonathan Mason