The Wizards began the match as firm favourites but the visitors were only a point behind at the break, having at one point being down to 13 men in the opening half.
On a heavy pitch, Swansea actually took the lead through a short range penalty by fly half James Davies, who impressed throughout, after 14 minutes.
The home pack then began to assert their dominance. Swansea’s backs were against the wall when Aberavon scrum half Rhodri Cole took a quick tap and was impeded by Matt Dodd. The lock was sent to the sin bin and after a series of scrums, tighthead prop Kaid O’Neill joined Dodd on the naughty step.
Swansea’s pack crumbled under the pressure and a penalty try was awarded but the plucky visitors finished the half strongly and Davies reduced the arrears at the break to a single point with his second penalty.
With a strong wind behind their backs, Aberavon took a grip on the game when Cole surged over after the Swansea pack were pushed off their own scrum ball. Chris Banfield added a touchline conversion and when hooker Ieuan Davies burst over for another converted try, it all looked over for Swansea but they hit back with a well taken try by rangy winger Josh Carrington.
Davies’ conversion kept Swansea interested, and with 10 minutes remaining, they only trailed 21-13 and were still in contention but right on the stroke of full-time, a brilliant individual try by replacement scrum half Rhodri Lewis secured a bonus point try for the home side. He waltzed his way past three defenders with dancing feet from halfway to give Banfield his easiest kick of the night.
