Rugby League: Aber Valley Wolves to play Gwendraeth Valley Raiders in play-offs

Aber Valley Wolves will play Gwendraeth Valley Raiders in the Welsh Conference South play-off semi-finals after finishing top of the league in just their first season.

The Raiders qualified after beating Valley Cougars A 50-32 at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday, July 27, and will play the Wolves at Senghenydd RFC on Saturday August 2.

The game took place in front of a crowd of over 200 that was building in preparation for the Championship 1 match that saw South Wales Scorpions do the double over London Skolars.

Adam Morgan forced his way over from a penalty to give Cougars an early 4-0 lead but  Andrew Rees  scored and converted to put the Carmarthen club ahead.

Trystan Morgan extended their lead and Rees added the extras before continuing his personal and team’s record by scoring and converting the third try to make it 18-4.

A try by Cougars’ James Allen, converted by Mikey Rowe, brought the score back to 18-10 before Raiders addressed the balance with an unconverted Matthew Davies try.

A few minutes before half-time Craig Maybank went over for the Cougars, followed by a superb Rowe conversion from the touchline, but there was still time for Matthew Davies to score again before the break to make the half-time score 26-16.

A clean break from Dan Fox, converted by Rees gave the Raiders an early 16-point advantage at the start of the second half.

Adam Morgan got another consolation back for the Cougars before Raiders regained the a three score lead with a Kyle Bryan dive under the sticks that Rees easily converted.

Clive Robinson did score for the Cougars with Dan Davies converting to give them hope at 38-26 but Raiders finished strongly and two tries from Jonny George, both converted by Davies, sealed the win and their play-off spot.

Match report by Ian Golden.

Semi-Final fixtures – Saturday August 2 – 2pm

Aber Valley Wolves v Gwendraeth Valley Raiders

Torfaen Tigers v Bridgend Blue Bulls