For the second week running, Lampeter hosted a Ceredigion derby at their North Road headquarters, writes John Jones.
Following the previous week’s success over new boys Cardigan, it was their turn to welcome rivals Aberystwyth, who themselves had also won their opening encounter.
The expectations in both camps were high and Lampeter were keen to avenge last season’s defeats, home and away.
For the second week running, the home forwards dominated possession, but they continued to struggle to turn their pressure into points. All they had to show for their hard work in the first half was a solitary penalty by fly half Huw Thomas.
They came close on several occasions to getting their first try of the season, only to be thwarted by a determined Aber defence. The closest effort was in the dying minutes of the half, when winger Aled Morgan attempted an inside pass to flanker Llion Russell, with the try line beckoning. However, the ball was spilled, and the half ended with Lampeter holding a slender 3-0 lead.
An excellent covering tackle by Llion Russell thwarted the visitors, who were by now camped on the Lampeter line.
Fortunately for the home side their defensive line held firm with Captain Gary Davies leading from the front and they managed to clear their lines.
As the game entered the final quarter, Lampeter picked up the pace and they made three changes to the pack to give it new impetus. A well worked move between the forwards and backs enabled centre Jonathan Evans to break free and an inside pass to supporting flanker Russell would have seen him going over for the first try. Unfortunately, the Aber full back Gwilym Evans had not read the script, and he anticipated the pass to break free, only to be caught by an excellent covering table by fly half Thomas on Lampeter’s 22.
The home side could sense victory and they continued to press, and Thomas slotted over a neat drop goal to extend his team’s advantage to six points.
Lampeter continued, however, to was good opportunities and with only one score between the sides, supporters from both camps were hopeful.
With just five minutes of the game remaining, the try deadlock was broken, and it went to the visitors. Sustained pressure in the Lampeter 22 saw the ball released quickly and wide where replacement Aled Griffiths took the final pass to cross in the corner. Full back Gwilym Evans, under extreme pressure, coolly slotted over the conversion to give his side a one-point lead with minutes remaining.
With the home crowd urging them no, Lampeter stormed in to the Aber half and referee Gareth Edwards awarded a penalty to the home side, and Thomas decided to go for posts. Unfortunately, he pushed it wide, and it seemed they had lost their last chance for victory.
However, from the restart, back they came with a vengeance, and with the last move of the game, the ball way recycled quickly to the home backs. Centre Jonathan Evans did extremely well to draw the visiting defence and free winger Aled Morgan, who raced clear to score in the corner, to the delight of the home support.
Despite missing with the conversion, the final whistle was blown and Lampeter had come out worthy winner by 11-7.
This is their first back-to-back win at the start of a season for many years, and whilst they can be happy with their overall performance, they know that they must convert more of their possession into points or they risk getting beaten in games that they should win.
As for Aberystwyth, they showed several changes to last year’s squad, but they should still be strong enough to mount a very determined campaign.