AFTER a long lay-off, Aberystwyth travelled to face Fishguard in their Pembrokeshire Cup second round tie with a much-changed team, but a determined performance ensured they came through for an excellent 27-15 away win.

With good ground conditions, no wind and with only occasional rain, the scene was well set for a fast, open encounter.

Although the hosts are third from bottom in Division Two West, they fielded a strong XV, and they showed their intention to play running rugby from the start.

They exerted a lot of pressure on the Aber eight in the scrums, line-outs and in the loose, and had much the better of the opening half hour as they consistently won their own ball, and often stole the visitors’ ball to launch a series of attacks.

The home team dominated possession and territory in this period and should have had far more than a try by No 8 Simon James, which Kial Keane converted.

That they did not score more was due to Aber’s stubborn defending and covering.

Gradually the visitors began to gel as a team as they took play downfield to earn a penalty 35 metres out, and Llyr Thomas easily put Aber’s first points on the board.

Aberystwyth’s growing confidence and improved understanding saw them take play deep into the opposition’s half.

A penalty put them within striking distance and saw them win a lineout five metres out and execute a perfect catch and drive for prolific try scorer Steffan Bonsall to go over near the touchline for a 7-8 lead.

Early in the second period, Fishguard were reduced to 14 men, when one of their wingers was yellow-carded, but Aberystwyth did not take full advantage.

Indeed, Keane kicked a penalty for Fishguard to regain their lead at 10-8.

The game was as closely contested in this period, as the first half had been, until scrum half Gruff Jones hit a purple patch.

Firstly, from a scrum 60 metres out he dummied and made ground, before putting in an inch-perfect kick for winger Adam Carvell to pounce on for a try wide out. The conversion was missed.

Then, a few minutes later, Jones broke again from a defensive scrum and made 50 metres, before passing to Carvell. He drew the Fishguard full-back before feeding Llyr Thomas for a brilliantly executed try. Thomas’ excellent conversion put the icing on the cake, taking the score to 10-20.

Aber were now dominant and added to their lead when captain Lee Evans, in another impressive display, stole Fishguard possession, and after excellent work from the equally impressive Carwyn Evans, Aber added their final try through Carvell.

Thomas converted this try to take his personal tally to 12 points in one of his best performances so far this season.

The visitors relaxed, with the win secured, and this allowed Fishguard to create a huge overlap for lively prop Owain Rowlands to slide over for an unconverted try wide out, to close the score at 15-27.

Aber’s starting front row of Neuman, Steffan Bonsall and James Plumridge played well and they were well supported by powerful locks Robbie Parry and Arwel Lloyd, and the back row of Bryn Shepherd, Jordan Thomas and Lee Evans.

Behind the scrum, the half backs Jones, and newly arrived Connor Pitt did well.

Wingers Adam Carvell and Steff Rees were very effective in both attack and defence. In the centre, Carwyn Evans was solid and is improving with every game.

His co-centre Tom Slinger also made some powerful breaks and tackled well.

Llyr Thomas was solid in defence and was a constant threat when he came into the back line. All the substitutes too played their part in this encouraging win.

This was a reassuring performance and confirms strength in depth when needed.

But it is important to secure a full fixture list for the Athletic and the Youth XVs, so that they field teams as regularly as possible to maintain this quality back-up.