ABERYSTWYTH had travelled down to Tenby hoping to build on their confidence after their win against Gorseinon the previous weekend, and were looking to improve their position in Division One West.

With four of the six fixtures in the section postponed due to the weather, it was a surprise to find a frost-free pitch, and in fine, sunny conditions Aber came through for a determined 17-25 win.

Some good possession by Aberystwyth in the first five minutes led to full-back Llyr Thomas scoring try on the wing, but the conversion attempt went wide.

Following the kick-off, Tenby started to exert pressure on the Aber line, but their attack was countered by some intensive defensive tackling from the visitors.

Play passed from one side to the other through clearance kicking and attacking drives, often ending in handling errors.

At 15 minutes, a clearance kick by Aber was passed along the Tenby backs for No 12 Moritz Neumann to break through for a try, converted by No 10 Lloyd Thomas.

The play led to a clearance kick by Tenby to touch on the 22m line. The throw-in was skilfully passed along the backs, to allow promising young winger Tommy Sandford to touch down in the corner, bringing the score back to 7-10.

Then, on 25 minutes, a penalty allowed Lloyd Thomas to level matters for Tenby.

There were no scores for the rest of the opening half, but Tenby were gaining in confidence, and both sides made some good attacking moves, only for them to end with handling errors under pressure.

Tenby looked very dangerous at times, with some good individual performances defying their lowly league position.

The start of the second half saw a cutting drive by Dan Binks, leading to a nice run by Ian Ellis, only to be tackled short.

The Aberystwyth pressure continued a few metres short of the Tenby line with a good carry by flanker Bryn Shepherd.

The spilled ball led to a Tenby scrum, which was poorly cleared and some nice gains by Ian Ellis and Matthew Hughes allowed Steff Rees in at the corner.

The next 10 minutes saw possession changing hands, which was interrupted by handling errors and two penalties; first for Tenby, then for Aberystwyth.

The visitors gained good position to allow slick handling towards Mat Hughes to run in at the corner, the conversion bouncing off the post. Score 10:20.

Following a period of Tenby pressure, which was held back by stout defence, the play moved into the Tenby half and a Mat Hughes drive saw play move across the width of the pitch to allow the forwards to drive through, and allow captain Arwel Lloyd to reach the line .

At 10-25, Aberystwyth were gaining momentum, and a wonderful solo drive by Lewis Ellis Jones was thwarted as he approached the Tenby line. The Tenby scrum was cleared into the Aber half.

A number of Aber substitutions were made at this time, which included the captain, and good defensive tackling saw off the Tenby onslaught with a powerful Tom Evans drive easing the pressure.

However, the final minutes of the game saw a Tenby play along the backs allow No 11 Jack Tucker to cross the line, and the conversion made the score 17-25.

The five tries gives Aberystwyth a bonus point win and pushes them away from the relegation zone. They look forward to next Saturday’s visit by Llanelli Wanderers at the Plascrug ground, with an earlier kick-off of 1.30 pm.