ABERYSTWYTH had only suffered two defeats in 16 matches in their Division Two West campaign this season, and this was the first chance for revenge as they welcomed Llanybydder to Plascrug on Saturday - and they duly achieved that with a convincing 46-22 scoreline.

The Teifi valley side were worthy winners in November, but injury and availability problems meant they were only able to field a bare fifteen for this game, with no replacements.

Aber got off to a blistering start and after only four minutes some lively interplay between the backs found Myles Hamilton free, the centre skilfully covering the final 30 metres to score out in the right corner at the clubhouse end.

The Kiwi was also instrumental in the second score just eight minutes later. After a slight mix-up near the Llanybydder 22, skipper Jason Rees broke through the defence, kicked ahead for Hamilton to gather, feeding full back Steff Rees to score near the opposite touchline. Rees converted to put his side 12-0 in near even time.

Llanybydder however gradually clawed their way back and started to unsettle their hosts.

That was helped by an arguably harsh adjudgement of a high tackle, giving Aber a yellow card, and Llanybydder got onto the scoreboard through a long range penalty by fly half Tomos Wilson. They followed that up by taking full advantage of an Aber defensive mix up that led to number eight Ricky Davies touching down for a try, converted by Wilson to bring the visitors back to 12-8 down after 25 minutes.

Restored to full strength, however, Aber totally dominated the last 15 minutes of the first half, and from a lineout eight metres out the visitors were clinically pushed back, and lock Lee Evans touched down for the third Aber try. Rees’s conversion extended their lead to 19-8.

The home side were soon back near the Llanybydder line and just before the interval Aber flicked the ball out towards the right touchline, where wing Llyr Thomas took an awkward ball with some skill and with equal deftness forged his way to the corner for his side’s fourth try.

Aberystwyth were 24-8 ahead at the break, and with a bonus point already in the bag.

Two minutes after the restart number eight Lee Gower seemed to have crossed for Aber’s fifth try, but Lydstep referee Matthew Evans accepted that the visitors had stopped playing following a head injury to one of their players.

The injury unfortunately reduced Llanybydder to 14 men, but they valiantly regrouped and held Aber back for twenty minutes or so.

Aber were penalised 15 metres outside their own half, but a rush of blood from one of the visitors made things much more difficult for his side. A boot made contact with an Aber player on the ground, under the referee’s eyes, and Mr Evans had no hesitation in reaching for his red card - and the visitors were reduced to 13 men for the remainder of the game. Rees landed an excellent penalty to extend the lead to 27-8.

A slightly surreal passage of play lifted Llanybydder spirits: when Aber were penalised near halfway the visitors failed to find touch, but the clearance kick from the home side was charged down and visiting scrum half Dion Thomas won the chase to the line. Wilson’s conversion made the score 27-15 just on the hour.

The home side, however, took control of the game once again and three tries within a period of six minutes put the result beyond doubt.

For the first a couple of phases of clever play created a gap for Rees to scamper to the try line, and this was followed by two tries scored from halfway. Llyr Thomas and Lee Gower both featured before lock Arwel Lloyd scored under the posts, fellow replacement Gethin Davies crossing likewise for Aber’s seventh try. Both were converted by Rees for a 46-15 lead.

Llanybydder never gave up, and repeatedly attacked inside the Aber 22 in the closing minutes. A consolation try was eventually scored at the very end by prop Alun Jones and Wilson’s conversion made the final scoreline 46-22.

With two more Saturdays lost to the Six Nations championship in the next fortnight Aberystwyth then have five matches remaining, two of them at home.They continue their campaign with a visit to Pontyberem, currently lying fourth, on 26 March and follow that by welcoming league leaders Penclawdd to Plascrug on the first Saturday in April.The business end of the season pitches Aberystwyth mostly against their fellow contenders at the top of the table, but they will relish the challenge of a campaign that could well take them to the highest League they have ever played in.Aber supporters are in for a treat in the final month of the season and will surely support their side in droves during this run-in period.