ABERYSTWYTH beat Glynneath 23 - 20 in their Admiral WRU Championship West match at Cae Plascrug on Saturday, writes Graham Harris.

A determined Aberystwyth put in a strong team performance to overcome Glynneath in a closely contested and feisty game. Aber's scrum was dominant, but not rewarded with scrum penalties, and quick ball from rucks was distributed well. Glynneath looked dangerous whenever their back line was in action.

On a dry, sunny day on the Cambrian Coast, Aber kicked off and were soon progressing with sniping runs by the forwards from rucks.

Penalty infringements by Aber pushed play back into their half. Glynneath stole an Aber lineout and were awarded a penalty 30 metres out, after several closely contested rucks, which was converted into points by fly half Dylan Francis.

Aber were moving the ball wide at every opportunity, but several knock-ons prevented any consistent pressure being applied. The home side were awarded a penalty 20 metres out in front of the posts and Dylan Benjamin levelled the scores.

Further penalties against Aber saw Glynneath mauling the ball five metres out from the home side's try line and, having tied in the defence, quick ball to their backs resulted in centre Jed O'Reilly scoring a converted try.

Straight from the restart a good Aber scrum on the visitor's 10 metre line released scrum half Will Edwards on a darting run and from the rucks that followed winger Ben Jones scored a try converted by Benjamin.

Play was fiercely contested with both sides turning over possession with no side gaining significant territorial advantage up to half time.

Half time score: Aberystwyth 10 Glynneath 10

Aber contested well for the restart and an excellent clearing kick by Benjamin resulted in a 50;20 lineout. Solid scrummaging by Aber and good work in the loose forced a lineout to Glynneath 5 metres out from their try line. The visitor's transgressed and Aber's tapped penalty allowed flanker Lewis Ellis-Jones to cross for a try converted by Benjamin.

Glynneath applied pressure kicking penalties to the corner and winning lineouts, but Aber's defence held firm against mauls close to their line. The visitor's eventually decided to kick a penalty for points to narrow the deficient in the score.

Aber were regularly disrupting Glynneath's scrums but they were reset rather than any penalties being awarded to the home side. Aber pulled further ahead with Benjamin converting a penalty into points following good Aber scrummaging disrupting the visitor's scrum.

A break by Aber's three-quarters Ben Jones and Jac Jones unfortunately ended with a knock-on. Aber pushed the visitor's pack metres back in their scrum and, from the scrum penalty, Benjamin stretched Aber's lead.

In the final minutes, Glynneath applied concerted pressure on Aber's try line from penalty kicks to the corner. Eventually the referee awarded a penalty try to the visitor's following repeated Aber infringements.

Final score: Aberystwyth 23 Glynneath 20

A concerted team effort with Aber showing determination and endeavour which resulted in a narrow win. Aber's scrum was dominant and their movement of the ball from scums and rucks was quick and efficient, putting their backs in a position to threaten the opposition's defence.

Next Championship West game for the 1st XV - at home against Burry Port on October 24th. Kick off 2.30p.m.