The Old Firm showed great spirit and pride to recover from 10-0 down in heavy rain and sodden conditions to win this Championship Cup tie at Duffryn Pennar Park.
Mount didn’t get off to the best of starts with the drop-out to start the game dropped, Aberdare taking full advantage to break through from a ruck on the Mount 22. Good support play saw the ball taken on and then a pass to Louis O’Neil 5 metres lout saw the second row dive in for the opening try after just two minutes. Outside half Cameron Samuel converted from the touchline with a superbly judged kick in the heavy rain and wind to put the visitors 7-0 up.
Aberdare were playing with the wind in their favour and from another attack up to the Mount 22 they were awarded a penalty, which Samuel converted once again to make it 10-0.
Mount put their first attack together after 12 minutes, prop Corey Bunney linking with scrum half Morgan James who put centre Jamie Long away on halfway. Although the attack was covered by the visitors it was far better from the Old Firm.
A lineout on the Aberdare 22 was won by Mount and the ball moved wide where full back Cushion made ground up to 5 metres out. After several drives, prop and captain Tommy Hunt forced his way over for a try to the delight of the Mount support, outside half Hall’s conversion attempt just fading wide in the awkward kicking conditions to leave the score as 10-5.
The Old Firm were too ambitious after 25 minutes when a kick up to the Mount 22 was run back in the heavy conditions, Aberdare turning the ball over and taking play to 10 metres out. Excellent work by Mount No.8 Cameron Davies turned the ball over for it to be cleared.
With half hour on the clock, a Mount attack took play into the Aberdare half where the visitors were offside in midfield, Hall’s 38 metre penalty attempt just swerving wide.
In the opening minutes of the second half, the ever-alert flanker Dai Richards charged down an Aberdare clearance but was just beaten to the touchdown.
A kickable 20 metre penalty to Mount after 55 minutes was kicked to 10 metres out for a lineout. From the catch and drive, the Aberdare forwards managed to force the maul into touch right on the try line. The Mount pressure continued though. The ball was moved wide where full back Cushion came into the line and got to 5 metres out. Drives by the Mount forwards were stopped but scrum half James sent out a quick pass to wing Steve Brittain and he managed to get over for a try to great applause from the Mount support. They had even more to shout about shortly after when outside half Hall judged the conversion to perfection from 5 metres in to put the Old Firm 12-10 up after 58 minutes.
Determined tackling by Mount on their own 22 after 63 minutes repelled Aberdare drives and the Old Firm were eventually rewarded with a penalty.
Although back row forward Calyde Mullock was unlucky to be yellow carded after 76 minutes when chasing a ball kicked down to the Aberdare 22 and competing for the ball at a ruck, the Old Firm were in no mood to give up their lead even though one man short and progressed into the quarter final draw.
Both teams deserve great praise for putting on an entertaining game in tough conditions. The Old Firm’s performance was much improved after the Treorchy debacle of last week. The Mount backline handled the ball well in the heavy rain and the pack competed well, winning lineout ball and holding their own at the scrum. It was good to see centre Alex Hughes return to action after a spell out injured, also flanker Ewan Rees, full back Jarrod Cushion and hooker Nathan Evans. Replacement back five forward, old warhorse Jarrad Parfitt, was in the thick of the action when he came on. Hooker McGinley Price is getting better with each game, prop Corey Bunney is contributing in the loose and the tight, prop Tommy Hunt was more like his old self, second row Steffan Calderbank and flanker Dai Richards took some good ball in the lineouts. Centre Jamie Long put in a couple of good runs and scrum half Morgan James fed the ball well in the conditions. The Old Firm can build on this performance and should be positive in their approach, attacking teams and asking questions.
Next Saturday, 31 October, Mount travel to St Peter’s for a Championship East game, the Athletic are away to Llanishen in the Valleys and Cardiff Athletic League, and the Youth welcome Llanharan to Caedrawnant. All games kick off at 2:30pm.