ABERYSTWYTH RFC lost 22 - 25 at home to Haverfordwest RFC in the first round of the Pembrokeshire Cup on Saturday, writes Graham Harris.

An Aberystwyth side with many young home-grown players in the first XV were knocked out of the Cup in a close game at Cae Plascrug. Several key first team players were unavailable for Aber, giving a valuable opportunity to the youngsters against an experienced Haverfordwest side.

On a humid, wet, overcast day in Aberystwyth, on a pitch partially softened by much needed recent rain, Aber struggled to control possession at times and could not convert pressure exerted into points.

Haverfordwest kicked off and were soon winning possession from lineouts and scrums, pushing play up to Aber's try line The home side cleared well but conceded territory due to penalties. The first points were scored by Ifan Williams for the visitors from a penalty on Aber's 22 metre line.

Aber tried to inject some pace into the game by tapping penalties. Good defence by Haverfordwest and untidy play by Aber thwarted scoring opportunities despite the home side being camped on the opposition try line. Haverfordwest progressed up the field with clearing kicks and good lineout work and solid rucking. Aber conceded a penalty 30 metres out which was converted by Williams.

An Aber 22 metres drop out from a missed penalty by the visitors relieved pressure and they were soon deep in opposition territory with good work in the loose. A quickly tapped Aber penalty allowed centre Jac Jones to cross for a try converted by Charles Thomas.

Aber conceded more penalties early in the second half but defended well deep in their half. The visitors missed a penalty kick but kept pressure on Aber. A poor lineout by the home side resulted in a tapped Haverfordwest penalty and quick ball from their rucks allowed three-quarter Rhio Phillips to score a try converted by Williams.

A period of untidy play by both sides eventually resulted in an Aber penalty 40 metres out which was converted by Charles Thomas. Straight from the restart a penalty for the visitors was tapped and rucks on Aber's try line resulted in Devin Williams scoring an un converted try.

Aber won a lineout on half way and a good maul set up a break by the backs and Jac Stockley-Jones scored a try converted by Steffan Jones.

Poor Aber defensive work around a ruck on their 22 metre line resulted in possession lost to Haverfordwest and full back Logan Young scored a try converted by Williams. On the restart Aber won a lineout on the visitor's 22 metres and fly half Charles Thomas swerved past several defenders to score a solo unconverted try.

Despite concerted late pressure from Aber rucks on Haverfordwest's try line, the visitors held on for a narrow victory.

Aber conceded too many needless penalties and chose the wrong options in some attacking phases of play. On the positive side, the young Aber side acquitted themselves well in a very close game which bodes well for the future.

The club raised £650 through gate receipts and raffle proceeds for Paul Thorburn’s Paddle, Peak and Pedal Welsh Challenge. Paul and eight friends will kayak from Swansea to Anglesey, climb Snowdon and cycle back to Swansea over 12 days, raising funds for Prostate Cancer and Motor Neurone Disease (MND).