AS an advert for rugby, Aberaeron’s 10-3 defeat at home to Nantgaredig was a major disappointment, as two teams at the lower end of the Swalec Division Three West B table both struggled for superiority.

In the end, Nantgaredig just about shaded the spoils, but Aberaeron will rue the missed opportunity of achieving a second league success of the season.

Shorn once again of their first choice front five, the hosts never really looked like overcoming a solid Nant outfit, who were comfortable with ball in hand and also looked to be resilient in defence.

On too many occasions hard-earned possession was spurned, if not through poor handling then indiscretion, and with the visitors showing little leniency, scoring opportunities were at a premium.

Aberaeron had opened the scoring in the 10th minute through the boot of Owen Williams, but they were pegged back within minutes with a penalty from Meirion Davies for the visiting team.

Continuous pressure on the home line before the half-time break resulted in the only try of the game as Carwyn Davies made the most of Aberaeron being temporarily reduced to 14 men, and the successful conversion - as it happened - completed the scoring in this encounter.

The second half was very much a non- event, with neither side looking like adding to the score, and the only talking point was the apparent serious knee injury to one of the visiting second rows, which required an ambulance - but incredibly after a stoppage of 30 minutes the player walked off the field and had to be restrained from returning to the fray.

It was very much a downcast home squad that trailed from the field at the final whistle - and a fortnight’s break will hopefully give them a chance to recharge.