ABERYSTWYTH lost 17 - 35 to Abercraf RFC in their WRU Admiral National Championship West match at Abercraf on Saturday, writes Graham Harris.

A disjointed Aberystwyth performance allowed Abercraf to gain a bonus-point win at the start of a new season.

Aber lacked cohesion as a team in both defence and attack at times and paid the price, making the opposition look good and conceding five tries. The game was disrupted by numerous scrum resets in both halves.

The home side kicked off and won the ball back from an Aber ruck with quick passing out wide allowing Abercraf's winger Cellan Lloyd Davies to score an unconverted try.

Aber responded to this early setback kicking a penalty into Abercraf's 22 metres, mauling the lineout and releasing winger Ben Jones to break through the defensive line and score a try converted by Steffan Jones.

The visitors lost possession from rucks in midfield and conceded a penalty on their 22 metres which was converted into points by Abercraf's fly half Darren Hodge.

Brief pressure in the home side's 22 metres by Aber was relieved by conceding penalties.

An Abercraf lineout 30 metres from the visitor's try line was moved quickly out wide and poor defence saw Lloyd Davies score a second unconverted try.

Good Aber scrummaging in the opposition half resulted in a penalty which Aber winger Steffan Jones converted into points.

Abercraf continued to apply pressure but were held back by resolute Aber defence. A home side lineout and maul in Aber's red zone resulted in Abercraf's scrum half Cellan Davies scoring an unconverted try.

The second half saw Aber trying to get on the front-foot, but untidy, uncoordinated play resulted in a lineout on their try line which was lost to Abercraf, with hooker Ryan James scoring a try converted by Hodge.

Abercraf won the restart and, following a series of rucks, poor Aber defence allowed flanker Mackenzie Clayton to cross for a converted try. Aber were soon pinned back due to conceding penalties and territory. Good, solid Aber defence in rucks forced the home side to kick a penalty for points.

Aber showed resolute determination with quickly tapped penalties keeping some pressure on the Abercraf. Good work in the loose by Aber and solid lineout work on the home side's 22 metres allowed Aber scrum half Charles Thomas to throw a dummy pass and burst through to score a try converted by Steffan Jones.

Aber continued to attack, but untidy handling in the opposition red zone allowed Abercraf to hack on a loose ball up field.

Aber were struggling to retain possession at lineouts but good work in rucks won the ball back. Abercraf held firm deep in their 22 metres and cleared well. Despite Aber penalties pushing play up to Abercraf's try line in the final minutes they could not piece the home side's defence.

Final Score: Abercraf 35 Aberystwyth 17

Another frustrating game for Aber who seemed to lack a game plan at decisive times in the game, and could not exert concerted pressure on the opposition. There was some excellent individual play but they needed to be more coordinated as a team.

Next Championship match - 1st XV at home against Trebanos on Saturday, 12 September K.O. 2.30p.m.