ABERYSTWYTH snatched a dramatic 35-41 bonus point victory from the jaws of defeat at Felinfoel in Division One West, courtesy of a superb, last-minute try from right wing Adam Carvell.

The ground conditions for this encounter were perfect, the rain stayed away, and only a variable, cross-field wind gave the kickers any problems.

The visitors started with determination, scoring two converted tries to one penalty in the first 15 minutes.

The first was scored by Dan Binks, who supported a good break by Mathew Hughes from broken play to score for the visitors under the posts.

Hughes converted and then scored an excellent solo try after Aber had put pressure on the Felinfoel pack following up their kick-off. Thomas converted and Aber were 3-14 up.

Pressure from the home side, however, saw them win a lineout five metres out and a drive took them over the Aber line for their opening try.

The visitors then took play down to the Felinfoel half where Steff Rees scored a try under the posts after very good work by the forwards. Thomas converted to take the score to 8-21.

The home side once again stormed back through their mobile forwards and their well-drilled backs, and it took a fine, try-saving tackle from captain Lee Evans to keep them out. However, a quickly-taken penalty saw the ball moved out for the right wing to score an unconverted try.

Aber, playing with confidence and discipline, took the game deep into the opposition’s territory, and the pressure told when, after good inter-passing between Hughes and Evans, the latter scored under the posts.

Aber were now 13-28 ahead and had secured their four-try bonus point.

From the kick-off Felinfoel attacked strongly and it took a good tackle from Carvell to prevent them from scoring. The pressure eventually told, however, and their right wing was able to cross for an unconverted try to bring the half-time score to 18-28.

Aber seemed to lose concentration, discipline and cohesion at the start of the second half as passes went astray or were intercepted, and tackles were missed as their whole game became disjointed. At least two potential scoring passes failed to find their target.

Felinfoel, who have been in Division One for the past five years and finished in third place last year, exploited Aber’s naivety, and it was no surprise when the hosts scored their fourth try, to take the score to 23-28.

Then more over-complication and sloppy defending by Aber saw the home side draw level with another try wide out, before Thomas slotted two penalties, including one a superb effort from a difficult angle across a strong wind, to restore the lead.

The visitors then lost two of their best forwards, Robbie Parry and James Plumbridge, with injuries and Felinfoel took full advantage of this disruption to take play up to the Aber line, where they scored a converted try from broken play to give them a one point lead with only minutes left.

From the kick-off the home side launched an attack. When this broke down, Aber stole the ball and fed Carvell, who set off on a splendid 40-metre run to score under the posts.

Aber’s players and coaches will be satisfied with the win, but will also be concerned about the way the team faded at intervals during the game.

Trying to run out of defence instead of safely kicking their way out can create unnecessary pressure. Hughes has a prodigious boot and can put Aber into the opposition half, which is where they play their best rugby.