Dunvant were missing 5 regular first choice players at 8,9,12,13 and 15 due to this game being “out of season” and players had booked other commitments. Regular wings Craig Lewis and Adam Williams were asked to play in the centre and youth team player Jack Lee was called on for his 1st XV debut on the wing. Dunvant travelled to Plascrug knowing survival was guaranteed unless Penclawdd could win with 19 or more tries at Crymych. Aberystwyth needed victory or three tries more than Penclawdd to ensure their own survival unless Penclawdd lost, and wanted to avenge their 53-0 defeat at Broadacre last September.
It was a bright sunny day at Plascrug but with a strong gusting wind, probably a 10 pointer. Aberystwyth looked to have a big pack, in fact a big team. Dunvant kicked off, playing into the strong breeze but immediately took the first score with a penalty from outside half Aled Lewis for 0-3. From there, Aberystwyth were using the wind to push Dunvant well back into their 22 and being forced to kick clearances and giving possession back to Aberystwyth. With Dunvant’s rookie centres still finding their feet in strange positions, Aberystwyth big outside half Jason Rees broke straight through the middle and ran in to score, converting his own try for 7-3 with 10 minutes played. 3 minutes later Rees attempted a long range wind assisted penalty from half way but was short. The next scoring opportunity was a penalty kick just inside the 10 metre line for Dunvant’s Aled Lewis but the strong wind veered it well wide of goal. Rees scored another penalty for Aberystwyth from the 22 on 22 minutes for 10-3, and a further penalty from the 10 metre line on 35 minutes for 13-3. Dunvant would probably have been happy to close out half time with the 10 point deficit, but Aberystwyth replacement 19 Matthew Roberts made a storming run from half way to score, converted by Rees for a 17 point 20-3 lead. With half time looming, and Dunvant attacking, the referee signalled advantage and Aled Lewis attempted a drop goal which failed in the wind. The full penalty was then kicked to touch for a 5 metre lineout, and flanker Adam Gregory crept into the left hand corner for 20-8 with Aled’s conversion attempt failing in the wind.
Aberystwyth restarted the second half and within 5 minutes outraged Dunvant’s supporters with a second try from outside half Jason Rees when some blatant crossing went un-penalised, Rees converted his own try and Aberystwyth had restored their 17 point lead at 25-8. Dunvant responded and full back Richard Lewis made a great break through the middle for scrum half Sam Evans to score under the posts. Aled converted, 25-15. As the game entered the final quarter, a fracas broke out in Dunvant’s half resulting in a yellow card for a prop on both sides. From then on, Dunvant’s scrum started coming out on top time after time. On 66 minutes, Aled Lewis made a great break to score under the posts and convert, for Dunvant to narrow the score to 25-22. With the sin bin expired and both sides back to 15 men, Dunvant were getting much the better of territory and possession. Kicking a penalty to touch for a lineout near the 22, some great pick and drives saw Dunvant pack go over, only to be held up. From the scrum, again they went over, again being held up. At the next scrum, Dunvant were awarded a penalty and this time from the scrum, Captain and prop Ryan Shoemark emerged triumphant from under the pile of players, scoring Dunvant’s 4th and bonus point try, and more importantly the lead at 25-29 with Aled’s conversion. With one minute to play, Dunvant were awarded a penalty, chose again to take the scrum rather than use up the time with a kick at goal,. The scrum turned for the put in to be reversed, and from that it reversed again for a Dunvant put in. This time Dunvant with a great drive from the pack saw clean ball and Dunvant were able to kick the ball dead.
Aberystwyth had to settle for a losing bonus point, but it was known Penclawdd were losing anyway at Crymych so Aberystwyth were safe. Dunvant moved up to 6th and now travel to Seven Sisters next Saturday with an opportunity to finish 4th. (1.00p.m. kick off-don’t miss it).
Builth wells are promoted as Champions, Crymych and Felinfoel are still battling for the second promotion slot.
Final relegation places are confirmed as Haverfordwest, Taibach and Penclawdd.
Coming down are Aberavon Quins and either Skewen or Loughor. Coming up are Amman United, and Trebanos or Mumbles, one of whom will then also face a playoff with Newcastle Emlyn.
That still leaves only 11 teams in 2 West and the WRU face another challenge following the Tylorstown fiasco as to which team from East will next season come West to leave 12 teams in 2 East and 2 West.

Scorers:
Aberystwyth: 25
Tries: 10 Jason Rees (2), 19 Matthew Roberts
Conversions: 10 Jason Rees (2)
Penalties: 10 Jason Rees (2)
Dunvant:29
Tries: 7 Adam Gregory, 9 Sam Evans, 10 Aled Lewis, 1 Ryan Shoemark
Conversions: 10 Aled Lewis (3)
Penalty: 10 Aled Lewis

Dunvant Team:
Backs: 15 Richard Lewis, 14 Tom Davies, 13 Adam Williams, 12 Craig Lewis, 11 Jack Lee, 10 Aled Lewis, 9 Sam Evans
Forwards: 1 Ryan Shoemark (Capt.) 2 Ceri Davies, 3 Shaun Davies, 4 Jamie Nicholas, 5 Nathan Vaughan, 6 Lewis Buckley, 7 Adam Gregory, 8 Rhys Tucker,
Replacements: 16 Darren Goddard, 17 Alex Griffiths, 18 Jonathan Arnold, 19 Sam Tucker

Match Official: Adrian Slade

Results for Saturday 4th May
Swalec League Division 2 West
Aberystwyth 25 Dunvant 29
Builth Wells 10 Taibach 0-match abandoned-referee injured
Crymych 27 Penclawdd 5
Felinfoel 27 Seven Sisters 12

Swalec Cup Final
Pontypridd 34 Neath 13
Swalec Plate Final
Heol y Cyw 20 Rhdyfelin 19
Swalec Bowl Final
Wattstown 27 Fishguard 17

Fixtures for Saturday 11th May (Final games)
Swalec League Division 2 West
Felinfoel v Builth Wells
Maesteg v Crymych
Seven Sisters v Dunvant