Team – Aberavon
Position – 3rd
It was a much improved 2019/20 campaign for Aberavon RFC, finishing their season in 3rd place, just one point behind 2nd place Carmarthen Quins with a game in hand over the Quins.
The Wizards started the season in scintillating fashion with 6 wins on the bounce in all competitions. This run started with a hard fought 27-26 away win to Bridgend Ravens on the opening day of the campaign before Aberavon progressed to the 2nd round of the Specsavers National Cup with a 26-7 home victory over Bargoed on the 2nd weekend of the season.
Aberavon then turned their attentions back to the Indigo Premiership with an impressive 24-14 home win against Swansea in an Ospreys regional derby. The Wizards continued to build momentum and got their 3rd home win in as many games with a closely fought 16-12 win over Newport.
With four wins from four, confidence was high as Aberavon travelled to reigning champions Merthyr, and the Wizards came away with an outstanding 29-22 away victory which really made others sit up and take notice. It didn’t get any easier for the high flying Wizards with a trip to Sardis Road to take on Pontypridd up next, but the Valley Commandos were dispatched 16-15 in a nail biting encounter, taking Aberavon to six wins from six.
This was the end of the winning run however, and Aberavon were to go on a four game losing streak between the middle of November to the middle of December, losing at home to Llanelli (11-16) away to Cardiff (12-13), home to Carmarthen Quins (29-34) and away to RGC ( 30-36)
Aberavon got back on track however with a 26-11 win at home to Ebbw Vale the weekend before Christmas, before following this up with a 44-3 win against Bridgend on Boxing Day.
The Wizards continued to impress with a 10-8 away victory over Newport before doing the double over reigning champions Merthyr with a 19-13 victory at the Talbot Athletic Ground. Llandovery were then defeated 26-20 in the Specsavers National Cup, taking the Wizards into the Semi Final and in the hunt for a league and cup double.
It was nearly a month until Aberavon were next in action, with a trip to St Helens to take on Swansea in mid-February and the lack of recent games cost the Wizards dearly, going down to a 13-10 defeat. Aberavon faced another trip to West Wales in the next fixture, this time coming back victorious with a 48-18 win over Llanelli.
In what turned out to be Aberavon’s final game of the season, leaders Cardiff were dispatched 20-18 at the Talbot Athletic Ground, leaving the Wizards in with a chance of the title, before the season was suspended.
Former Wales 7’s, Scarlets and Gloucester Fly Half Aled Thomas joined the Wizards at the start of the season and made a lasting impression, winning Aberavon’s ‘back of the year award’. He had this to say on Aberavon’s campaign. “The season went well on the whole and we made a lot of improvements throughout the year which was testament to the hard work we put in during pre season and in training sessions throughout the season. I think this showed up too winning some close games late on.”
“We tried to play a high tempo, exciting brand of rugby scoring some good tries but also showed a huge appetite for defence, both testament to the hard work from the players and coaches! We had 2 or 3 disappointing results in games we should have won and they were the only blips really keeping us just out of reach of Cardiff at the very top of the league.”
“We had a really good, exciting run to the semis of the Cup also which everyone enjoyed! So between the cup and still being in with a shout of the league we were pretty gutted to not have the chance to finish it off but obviously the health and safety of everyone amid the COVID-19 takes precedence!”
Aberavon will be optimistic of kicking on from this season’s positive display with the foundations in place to really have a go at winning trophies next season. “Next year we will be looking to emulate this season in terms of attitude whilst trying to improve further so we don’t have those minor blips so we can consistently play to our potential and really challenge again for both the league and cup! Obviously the ultimate goal will be to win them both”
By Adam Cleary
AWC SPORT 