FROM a winning position at half-time, Aberaeron relinquished a 14 point advantage in the second half to suffer a first league defeat of the season when going down 17-21 against fellow unbeaten outfit Llandybie.

This encounter was considered to be the Seagulls’ toughest challenge to date, and they rose to the occasion in that first period in totally dominating the visitors in the tight and loose play.

Llandybie had no answer to a cohesive display from the hosts, such was their dominance, and they fell behind in the fifth minute.

Ollie Sawyer was on hand to complete a good back-line move, with the ball being transferred through many hands for a well worked try.

With Justin Lloyd controlling the base of the scrum, the second score followed as flanker Aaron Lewis rose from the whitewash for his fourth try of the campaign.

Minutes from the break another well worked move saw some neat interplay, giving second row Gethin Hughes the opportunity to gallop over the line, and centre Sion Evans converted.

There was little sign of a response at this stage, although the deficit was reduced, courtesy of a penalty from Aled Thomasson.

Much of the same was expected in the second half, but a combination of Llandybie raising their game and Aberaeron becoming complacent, meant a different outlook, as Aled Thomasson played a prominent part.

A try and conversion was followed by a close range penalty from the centre to give his side much-needed momentum, and they unexpectedly took the lead when replacement Josh Cranfield capitalised on poor defence to cross over in the corner.

The wounds deepened as Thomasson stroked another penalty to extend the lead and, having been in control, Aberaeron could not rediscover their first half resolve to overturn the deficit.