WITH a much-changed team Aberystwyth worked hard throughout their game against Crymych, and with a lot of grit and determination they carved out a 27-7 bonus point win with the last move of their Division One West match.

Aber started full of determination and forced Crymych back into their 22. They conceded a scrum, which Aber dominated, and were driving Crymych back over their own line when the referee inexplicably ordered a scrum reset. He repeated his action at the subsequent scrum and finally awarded a penalty try at the third scrummage for a 7-0 lead.

Crymych then attacked with a lovely kick deep into the Aber 22, which the Aber defence coped with adequately. Indeed, this was a positive feature of the game for Aber, with their defence being aggressive tight and resolute throughout.

Aber lost Dan Binks to a dead leg after 10 minutes, to be replaced by Arwel Lloyd, but undeterred they continued to attack, and after a strong run down the right by full-back Gwern Penri, Aber retained possession and following a number of forward drives they were awarded a penalty, which outside-half Llyr Thomas kicked to lead 10-0.

Crymych came back into the game and scrum-half Dafydd Phillips made a lovely break but an excellent last line of defence tackle by Gwern Penri nullified the threat.

After 20 minutes Aber lost Prys Lewis to what was subsequently diagnosed as a broken arm, to be replaced by Owain Bonsall. Unfortunately this resulted in uncontested scrums, which took away one of Aberystwyth’s major weapons.

Things got worse for Aber a few minutes later as Crymych centre Carwyn Phillips intercepted a long pass on the Aber 10m line to canter over unopposed to score under the posts, and Carwyn Jones converted.

Aber replied almost immediately with a try when Carwyn Thomas crashed over following a series of forward drives to score, and Llyr Thomas converted for a 17-7 lead.

Aber, taking advantage of a yellow card issued to a Crymych forward, continued to force the pace and right on the stroke of half-time, a lovely timed pass put skipper Lee Evans through a gap to run in unopposed, for a 22-7 half-time score.

Aber started the second half by trying to inject some pace into the game when what was needed was to settle down and play through their big ball-carriers and to be a little more accurate in their approach.

As a consequence, the second half turned out to be a rather drab affair, given that Aber dominated most of the territory, but both defences had the upper hand. One area which stood out for Aber was a number of very effective line-out drives, which with a little bit more composure could have yielded opportunities.

Crymych had their best period of the game with about 10 minutes to go when they forced Aber back deep into their 22, where the Aber defence excelled. They tackled relentlessly, with centre Steff Rees standing out, and eventually drove Crymych back to clear the danger.

Aberystwyth were awarded a penalty which they kicked to touch, and from the line-out Robbie Parry secured possession and the Aber pack drove effectively, forcing Crymych to concede another penalty.

Aber kicked deep into the Crymych 22, and after another efficient line-out catch and drive man-of-the-match Paul Stubbs was driven over to score the vital bonus point try, to close out the game at 27-7.

This was a hard-fought determined performance by Aber, securing good possession from a very impressive line-out, whilst their superb defence dealt very adequately with what Crymych threw at them.