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Coach Chris O'Callaghan reckoned that the Valley Cougars would bare their teeth yesterday after pushing Bridgend Blue Bulls hard at Sardis Road last Sunday. But Aberavon Fighting Irish found no fight from their under strength visitors and waltzed through to a comfortable victory on their home debut in this campaign.
The Fighting Irish were so much in charge that they were 38-10 up at half-time.
But the visitors were on the board first through prop Steve Bray who went over for the first of his two tries that put his team in front for the only time in the match.
It was an early score but Aberavon full-back Liam Gadd cracked open the Cougars' defence after seven minutes and, when second row Darren Ryan stormed over, the floodgates opened up.
Wing Richard Lewis rifled over in the corner, centre Scott O'Kelly got another and Ryan got his second before a
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tremendous score down the wing from David Dyers and another from hooker Paul Morgan put the Fighting Irish out of sight.
Morgan and Gadd added more tries after the break with prop Dan ap Dafydd, Burke and prop David Hawkins also going over for touchdowns.
Welsh international wing Dean Scully landed six conversions, with Ryan and Morgan also kicking one each, while Cougars' captain Craig Thomas went over for a consolation touchdown.
Nevertheless, it is a highly encouraging start to the season for the Fighting Irish as they gear up for their huge weekend in a few days time.
Score summary - Aberavon Fighting Irish: Tries: L Gadd (2), D Ryan (2), R Lewis, S O'Kelly, D Dyers, P Morgan (2), D ap Dafydd, M Burke, D Hawkins; cons: D Scully (6), D Ryan, P Morgan. Valley Cougars: Tries: S Bray (2), C Thomas; con: C Jones.
Article by South Wales Evening Post
24 May 2004
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