With Hailey Park better suited to local ducks than a game of rugby, the match was moved to the 3G pitch at the University Fields — and on a wide artificial surface the Warriors made an immediate impression.

Luca opened the scoring early with a fine try, Jay adding the conversion, and the wide pitch was already suiting the Warriors' game. Charlie crossed next, Jay converting again, and Whitchurch went into the break 14–0 ahead and looking in control. Aberdare, though, were far from done.

The second half was a different game entirely. Aberdare came out with real intensity — their forwards dominated the scrum and their backs ran with purpose — and they turned the match on its head in devastating fashion, reeling off four tries in quick succession to lead 24–14. Whitchurch looked out of sorts: forwards not working in pods, ball barely reaching the backs, and the Warriors chasing shadows they'd spent the first half creating.

But they kept fighting. Ollie P crashed over to make it 19–24, then Luca scored his second to flip the lead back to Whitchurch at 26–24. Aberdare hit back immediately with a converted try to go back in front at 31–26, and with the clock running down it looked like the game was gone.

It wasn't. With the last play of the match Whitchurch won a scrum, moved the ball, and Luca completed his hat-trick right under the posts. Jacob — cool as you like — stepped up and slotted the conversion to seal a very scrappy but very hard-earned 33–31 win.

Massive thanks to Aberdare for a brilliant game — we look forward to the next one. 🖤🤍