ABERYSTWYTH’s 31-26 win over Whitland faded into insignificance with the tragic news that club legend Eifion Gwynne had lost his life in an accident in Spain, whilst attending the funeral of another club stalwart, Emrys Thomas.

Gwynne will be remembered very fondly by the club as a magnificent rugby player and true gentleman.

His great talent and character on the pitch had helped Aberystwyth RFC rise up through the divisions to its current, highest-ever league position.

He was also a firm favourite at Llandovery RFC, for whom he produced a man of the match performance to help them win the Welsh Challenge Cup Final for the first time in 2007.

Before kick-off for Saturday’s match both teams had stood for a minute’s silence, in memory of Emrys Thomas, who had died recently out in Spain.

Emrys had given sterling service to the club over many years and among other duties had managed some of the most successful Youth teams to represent Aberystwyth. Many of those players went on to play senior rugby for Aber with distinction, most notably his sons, Barrie and Byron.

Aber had started well by pushing Whitland off their scrum and quickly moving the ball right, but this promising attack was well defended.

Whitland worked the ball upfield and from an overthrown Aber lineout in their own 22 eventually No 8 Jack Mason scored from close range. The try was converted Nico Sertaro.

Although slightly against the run of play, Aber were not deterred and came back strongly. Another Whitland scrum in their own 22 was demolished and one long pass found Rhodri Richards, who streaked through to score. The try was converted by Llyr Thomas to make it 7-7.

The game ebbed and flowed when after some uncharacteristic poor defending Aber let centre Connor Edwards through to score wide out.

Aber took the game to Whitland and but for some inaccuracy in maintaining possession and some wrong options being taken a number of promising attacks came to naught.

Whitland to be fair were contributing greatly to a very entertaining game. From one of their few visits to the Aber 22 they scored their third try when Connor Edwards burst through to score near the posts, and the conversion was kicked by Nico Sertaro.

Aber again went on the attack and were awarded a penalty on the Whitland 22. Paul Stubbs took matters in his hands to burst through a number of tackles to score a brilliant individual try for a half time score of 12-9.

Aber started the second half full of intent, but unfortunately after a very good 40m run by James Plumbridge they were unable to retain the ball.

Whitland came back strongly and hit the post with a penalty that Aber managed to clear. A Whitland centre was then yellow-carded for playing the ball in an off-side position.

Aber opted for a scrum and skipper Lee Evans, with a strong run from the base of the scrum, burst over the line to score. The try was converted by Llyr Thomas to level things at 19-19.

Whitland picked up another yellow card for a high tackle and from this point Aber began to dominate. They moved the ball to the narrow side of a ruck and with some well-timed accurate passes among the backs they worked full-back Sion Summers free to score near the posts. Llyr Thomas converted to make the score 26-19.

Aber continued to attack strongly and from open play influential outside-half Mathew Hughes powered over after a classic outside break to score in the corner to make it 31-19.

The last 10 minutes of the game belonged to Whitland as they strived for a second bonus point. They finally achieved it when from the last move of the game substitute Ben Kirk went over for a try, converted by Nico Sertaro to make the final score 31-26.