Match Report

Ian Golden at The Lextan Gnoll, Neath

Aberavon Fighting Irish put in a dominant performance to complete a one hundred percent record in the league this year, to win back-to-back JES Group Rugby League Conference titles.

It was a big needle match between the two finalists. South Wales Jets won the 2023 final with a one hundred percent record, whilst Aberavon won last year's, plus they are the only side to have ever beaten the Jets in the Welsh competition.

And for the Fighting Irish, it was their fourth win in a row against their opponents, with former Ospreys rugby union winger Jay Baker, the stars of the game as he showed his class as a former professional player, as he became the first player to score four tries in a match in the league this season.

Errors dominated the first quarter of the encounter, as both sides tried to settle in and create the first chance.

That was until Aberavon took the lead on 20 minutes. Adam Pope had the first chance but was stopped in his tracks, and from the next play, Jay Baker went over in the corner. Ryan Pugh couldn't land the conversion.

Alex Langworthy was close to a try back for Jets as he tried to leap onto a grubber, but he was a second too late in diving and the ball went into touch.

Aberavon worked their way upfield and scored from the length of the field set. Pugh running through the gap and converting his own try.

From their next set, they scored their third as Baker crossed for his second try which Pugh again improved.

Again from kick-off, Baker brushed off all his markers to ease through for the fourth try of the game and complete his hat-trick. Pugh converted to give his side a 22-0 half-time lead.

Jets got on the board six minutes into the second half with a well-worked try that was finished off by David Hooper. Shane Lee couldn't land the kick.

But Aberavon restored the balance quickly afterwards, when Morgan Meaclem battled over for his side's fifth try.

Cody Rees scored their next try, jinking through the Jets line, with Pugh converting.

And the tries still continued. Jake Price added Aberavon's seventh with Pugh again adding the goal.

Baker soon added his fourth of the game, as he created his own space, running unchallenged to place the ball under the sticks.

At that point, it was a joint record highest margin for a Grand Final win, but Jets weren't going to let that record happen as they finished with a floury.

First, Ieuan Sims went in under the sticks for a consolation try with Lee converting. Then Alex Langworthy brilliantly leapt on his own kick just before it went over the deadball line for an acrobatic try.