ABERYSTWYTH started their new season in Division One West with a mixed performance against Llangennech, eventually going down 31-17.

Conditions were ideal for fast, open rugby and Llangennech showed their intent from the start as they fought hard for possession and put pressure on Aber.

Some half-hearted tackling behind the scrum allowed the hosts to put 17 points on the board in almost as many minutes.

Three quick tries came from missed tackles, and some well-worked overlaps, with winger Brandon Wood opening the scoring with first try, which he converted.

The second and third tries, both unconverted, were scored by winger Tom Barnes from identical situations after poor covering by Aber. In reply, Steffan Rees put over a penalty for the visitors.

Aber’s best chance to score in the first half was from an excellent break from a ruck by new scrum-half Dylan Morgan. He ran fully 30 metres and could have scored, but for his hesitation near the line.

Shortly before half-time both sides were reduced to 14 men after the hosts’ second row Doyle was yellow-carded, as was Dylan Evans for Aber. The first half closed with the score at 17-3 to the home team.

Aber had improved in the latter part of the first half and this continued into the second half as they won more possession. Centre Carwyn Evans made some powerful breaks, but too often they were let down by poor handling, with wayward passing and dropped passes spoiling scoring chances. As the exchanges became more heated, Evans and two of the home side’s players were yellow-carded.

Aber then varied their attack to good effect, with backs and forwards combining well. A powerful break by flanker Tom ‘Kenco’ Evans, carried on by Matthew Hughes led to a ruck 10 metres from the hosts’ line. The ball was fed to Dan Binks, who raced over to score under the posts.

Steffan Evans converted and Aber were back within touching distance at 17-10.

Aber pressed again from the restart, but a dropped pass allowed Llangennech to kick through and counter-attack. They were awarded a scrum five metres from the try line and their pack drove over for No 8 Rhodri Davies to score. Wood also converted to extend the lead to 24-10.

Aber fought back and Binks and Llyr Thomas combined well to make ground down the right. Arwel Lloyd burst onto a possible scoring pass, but the ball was dropped and Aber lost another chance.

Although the hosts seemed to be tiring more quickly than Aber, they out-thought the visitors and sprang some powerful counter-attacks from defence. It was from one such attack that the hosts’ full-back Matthew Jacobs ran fully 60 metres without a finger being laid on him to score under the posts for a 31-10 lead.

Aber’s final try of the game showed what they could have achieved in this match if their handling had been better. They inter-passed accurately over a period of five minutes or so; rucking and supporting far better than they had done throughout the game. An excellent move was rounded off with a crashing captain’s try from Arwel Lloyd, and Steffan Evans converted for a final scoreline of 31-17.

With more accurate handling, better options and better tackling Aber could well have won this match. For most of the time they had parity up front, with their forwards holding their own in the both the scrums and line-outs. The front row was solid, the second row was industrious and the back row worked well together.

Arwel Lloyd, Tom ‘Kenco’ Evans, Lee Gower and particularly Dan Binks, were the pick of the pack but all eight did well. Behind the scrum Aber needed better leadership and direction, better tackling and more accuracy in their handling.

More pre-season friendlies could have meant confidence and understanding of each other to prepare for the new season.