The hard fought 23-16 win at a bitterly cold St Helen’s was confirmation of Aberavon’s improved recent form and despite what has been a disappointing league campaign, they are now just one step away from the Millennium Stadium final.
Davies’ record breaking day was the highlight but it was Swansea who mounted the first attack when a mini break by scrum half Jake Cole saw the Aberavon defence scrabbling for cover. Luckily for the visitors, Nicky J Thomas failed to convert a straightforward penalty chance as the game remained scoreless.
The visitors then struck first when the forwards controlled a rolling maul before Chris Davies fired an incisive pass to centre Matthew Jenkins to sprint through a gap in the defence to score. Jamie Davies converted.
Swansea hit back when a powerful scrum saw Baker take out two defenders before the ball was swept out wide through the hands of Nicky J Thomas and Rhys Williams. Richard Williams touched down in the corner and Nicky J Thomas converted.
Scrum half Cole spurned a simple try opportunity by throwing a forward pass to Nicky J Thomas who was in acres of space near the try line. However the full back kicked his side into the lead moments later when the Wizards’ defence killed the ball.
Chris Shelmerdine and Matthew Davies then took it in turns to power towards the line and the Wizards’ defence was penalised for handling in the ruck. Swansea opted for a scrum and the ball was fired out to the wing but Richard Williams was held up over the line.
On the stroke of half time Chris Davies was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle on Nicky J Thomas and the full back made him pay with a successful penalty goal to extend his side’s lead.
Aberavon made a promising start to the second half and a move involving Purnell, Stef Andrews and Richard Carter almost led to a try, only for the winger to be held up over the line. Swansea then earned a penalty from the scrum and cleared.
Illegal binding by the Whites’ front row at the scrum gifted Chris Davies a penalty chance and he made no mistake with his effort at goal. Moments later Cameron Clement was unlucky not to score when he was squeezed into touch after a good build up by the pack.
Nicky J Thomas restored the Whites’ six point advantage with a penalty goal after the visitors’ defence crept offside at the ruck. A superb pass by Jamie Davies then found Matthew Jenkins on an angle and the centre sprinted past the Swansea defence to score. Jamie Davies converted to take his side back into the lead.
Andrews tidied up a loose ball and charged through the middle only for the Whites defence to creep offside at the breakdown but Jamie Davies missed his effort at goal.
Whites hooker Paul John was sent to the sin bin for entering a maul from the side and and Davies kicked his side into a four point lead with a penalty goal. The lead was extended to seven points when the fly half kicked a penalty from out wide after the home side were penalised for holding onto possession on the ground.
The Swansea front row were penalised for standing up in the scrum but this time Jamie Davies was unable to convert the penalty. The Wizards were able to control the remainder of the match though and were never really threatened in the dying moments.
Swansea: Tries: Richard Williams (22); Cons: Nicky J Thomas (23); Pens: Nicky J Thomas (34, 40+1, 53); Yellow cards: John (71)
Aberavon: Tries: M Jenkins (16, 57); Cons: C Davies (17, 58); Pens: C Davies (47, 71, 75); Yellow cards: C Davies (40+1)
