by Howard Evans
This was most definitely a match worth playing as both sides put on a fine show and one must give thanks to the Trebanos players, coaches and supporters for their excellent attitude.
No way did Trebanos look a weak side, but Aberavon played with such gay abandon and pace that they ran in eight tries in a fine display and Aled Thomas included three touchline kicks in his eight strikes from as many attempts.
Trebanos not only never lost heart, but their tackling and huge effort was a credit to the club and the score did not reflect their splendid attempts to break the ‘Wizards’ defence.
Jonny Phillips was at his finest and gave a wonderful display to earn my vote as man of the match, but the whole back division performed splendidly, being supplied with good ball from scrum-halves Rhodri Cole and Zac Fifield and the great talent of Aled Thomas.
In the pack, there was a new face in 19-years-old blind-side flanker Ben Williams, who has the makings of a very good player.
Ben hails from Gilfach Goch and follows in the footsteps of Lee Purnell and Shay Smallman, who are both Gilfach lads. He looked like a younger version of Jac Morgan and that is a high rating.
Young Fifield, from Barry, did his job splendidly, in that he proved a good and fast link and did it quietly, but with great effect.
One should also mention wings Frankie Jones and Matthew Jenkins, who received a large amount of the ball and used it well. Matthew even spent the last minutes wearing a Trebanos shirt.
The only worry were the knocks to Ashton Evans and later to Phillips, but hopefully, they will soon recover.
Trebanos more than held their own, until Jones crossed halfway into the first half and Phillips tore away for another try before Jenkins showed what power he has from his forward days to add a third.
Aled not only did not miss a kick, but he played unobtrusively and quietly with class and Lloyd Evans linked well with him.
The game gave the likes of skipper ‘JTR’, lock Rhodri Hughes, centre Rheon James and prop Jordan Walters good game time and Rhys Fawcett at 25 has still showed he still has a large future in first-class rugby.
A Cole interception, then the pace of Phillips for his second and third touchdowns were followed by Chris Banfield and Jones again all crossing and Aled goaling each one.
Pace is something Aberavon showed and it was good to see Joe Gage playing in probably his best position.
It was a very satisfactory evening, but let us not forget that Trebanos contributed much to the game.
Score:
Aberavon 56 – 0 Trebanos
Aberavon Team:
Jonathan Phillips; Frankie Jones, Chay Smith (rep Rheon James half-time), Joe Gage, Matthew Jenkins (rep Chris Banfield 60 min); Aled Thomas, Rhodri Cole (rep Zac Fifield 44 min); Rhys Fawcett (rep Jordan Walters 33 min, rep Rowan Jenkins 56 min), Ieuan Davies (rep Luke Davies 56 min), Chris Davies (rep Geraint James 56 min), Shay Smallman (rep Sam Pailor half-time), Rhodri Hughes, Joe Tomalin-Reeves (capt) (rep Ben Williams 44 min), Ashton Evans (rep Lee Purnell 34 min), Lloyd Evans.
Notes:
Ben Williams made his debut for the club.
Aberavon Scorers:
T – Jonathan Phillips (3), Frankie Jones (2), Matthew Jenkins, Rhodri Cole, Chris Banfield
C – Aled Thomas (8)
Referee:
Tom Spurrier
Time Line:
21 min: Aberavon – T – Frankie Jones & C – Aled Thomas (7 – 0)
26 min: Aberavon – T – Jonathan Phillips & C – Aled Thomas (14 – 0)
38 min: Aberavon – T – Matthew Jenkins & C – Aled Thomas (21 – 0)
40+3 min Half Time
40 min: Aberavon – T – Rhodri Cole & C – Aled Thomas (28 – 0)
43 min: Aberavon – T – Jonathan Phillips & C – Aled Thomas (35 – 0)
47 min: Aberavon – T – Jonathan Phillips & C – Aled Thomas (42 – 0)
68 min: Aberavon – T – Chris Banfield & C – Aled Thomas (49 – 0)
78 min: Aberavon – T – Frankie Jones & C – Aled Thomas (56 – 0)
80 min: Full Time