Matchday Report Vs Aberdare.
Report by Gareth Morgan.
WRU Championship East
Llanharan RFC v Aberdare RFC – Match Report
Saturday 17th October 2026.
After two successive away games, Blaina in the WRU Championship Cup, and Penallta away in the league, this week saw the Dairymen back in familiar surroundings, for their WRU Championship East encounter against Aberdare. Whilst Llanharan had enjoyed a dream start to their return to Championship life; the visitors had experienced mixed fortunes thus far this season and would be looking to build on last Saturday’s hard fought home win against Rumney.
As the Dairy Field was bathed in autumnal afternoon sunshine, and the hosts kicked off towards the red grav, the kick was fielded by an Aberdare player, but as the visitors attempted to move the ball through the hands, it was fumbled, gifting the home side possession and an opportunity for an early attack. Despite some early chances going begging, only seven minutes were on the clock when live wire flanker Josh Walsh crossed for the opening try of the game, with Scott Jones adding the extras, the Dairymen took an early seven nil lead. For the next twenty minutes both sides cancelled each other out, with neither team able to score during this period, although it was generally the hosts who looked most likely to do so.
As the game approached the half hour mark, the hosts were finally able to add to their score, with a neat passage of play releasing winger Ryan Griffiths to cross wide on the left, with Scott Jones nailing the touchline conversion Llanharan’s lead was doubled, to fourteen points to nil. The second try of the afternoon seemed to lever open the flood gates for Llanharan, and four minutes later accomplished and combative centre Morgan Sieniawski was on hand to finish off an abrasive Llanharan attacking move, and Scott Jones was on target with the straightforward conversion, making the lead twenty-one to nil. Within minutes of the restart, Llanharan secured an attacking lineout deep in Aberdare territory, and the tried and tested black and blue rolling maul saw Jack Walker ground the ball for the bonus point try. Despite Scott Jones conversion attempt drifting just wide, the bonus point was secured, with five first half minutes still to play. The Dairymen appeared reluctant to waste those dying embers, and athletic back row forward Rhys Dauncey set off on a rampaging fifty-meter run for an excellent solo try. Despite the excellent virtuoso run, there was a question mark about whether Rhys actually grounded the ball having crossed the line, but the only opinion that mattered was that of the referee, who was happy enough, and the try was duly awarded. Scott was again on target, and at the interval the hosts led thirty-three to nil.
Llanharan began the second period very much on the front foot, which meant they were fully committed to an attacking move, when they lost possession, allowing Aberdare to clear the ball down field, and mount an effective kick chase. Kieran Martin and Jack Walker found themselves in the unusual position of being the last line of defence, and despite their best efforts, the latter proved that his kicking from hand is not to the excellent standards of the rest of his game, gifting Aberdare possession deep in Llanharan territory. The visitors used this opportunity to their advantage, and centre Amir Saleh was on hand to open their account. Fullback Cameron Samuel’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful which meant the score was now thirty-three to five in favour of the hosts.
Llanharan then took ten minutes to compose themselves, but the visitors were unable to add to their score during this time. However, with a quarter of an hour of the second half gone, talented fullback Steff Davies crossed for the first of his two tries of the afternoon. Scott again added the extras, to extend Llanharan’s lead to forty points to five. Powerful lock Joe Buckle was the next to get in on the action powering over near the posts, with Scott Jones again on target Llanharan now led forty-seven to five. With five minutes left to play, Jack Brooks picked an excellent angle for a powerful run, not for the first time during the game, which saw him cross the whitewash, for Llanharan’s eighth try of the afternoon. Despite a rare miss from Scott Jones, the hosts extended their lead to fifty-two points to five.
The Dairymen were clearly enjoying themselves, and despite the clock ticking down, they were clearly not done yet. Steff Davies rounded off a sublime backs move for the second try of the game, and with Scott back on target the score was now fifty-nine to five. For the second week in a row, as we approached the dying seconds, the biggest surprise was that Sam Alexander was not amongst the try scorers. There was almost an inevitability about the fact that in the final play, replacement scrum half Chris William’s gave a neat pass to the speedy winger, who’s speed and determination did the rest. Scott Jones slotted the simple conversion, to make the final score sixty-six to five, and maintain the Dairymen’s impeccable record.
I must spare a thought for Aberdare, it was a long afternoon for the injury ravaged outfit, but they can be proud of their efforts, and we wish them well for the rest of the season. For the Dairymen, who next week travel to the upper reaches of the Neath Valley to face Glynneath in the second round of the WRU Championship Cup, Steff Davies was named sponsors plyer of the match. Impressive young tight head prop Troy Johnson, who seems to get better week by week was selected for the coaches’ accolade, but once again, in fairness, anyone of a dozen or more players could have been selected as player of the match. Llanharan will be hoping to maintain their record in the cup fixture at Glynneath, following which they have a four week break, largely due to the autumn internationals.⚫🔵🏉
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