IN recent seasons Penclawdd have become a bogey side for Aberystwyth, and after losing to them at home in the first game of the season, Aber succumbed again, by 22-7 on Saturday.

Conditions were perfect for open, running rugby and both teams did their best to play an expansive game.

But it was clear from the start that the home team had greater determination, as they played with a purpose and pattern that was so lacking in Aber’s performance.

Early pressure saw the home side run a penalty in the visitors’ 22 metre area, for centre Jonathan Terry to score an easy try within the opening five minutes.

Aber hit back with a good break from Matthew Hughes, but no one kept up to support him and a promising move came to nothing.

Possession was evenly shared at this stage, but Penclawdd used theirs more skilfully and constructively.

Rarely can Aber’s handling have been as bad as it was in this game. Good passes were dropped and bad passes sailed over receivers’ heads.

A wild pass under pressure saw Penclawdd winger Ben McCarthy intercept to race over for the second try.

Both scores went unconverted, but the 10-0 margin after just 20 minutes reflected the difference in the two teams’ performances.

In a rare foray into the opposition’s half, Aber were awarded a penalty. Hughes kicked for touch, and from a lineout five metres out the forwards put in a powerful drive for the line. A try seemed certain, but the maul was collapsed deliberately and the referee had no hesitation in awarding the visitors a penalty try, to close the gap to 10-7.

Aber’s high error count continued and the home side capitalised on each mistake to gain ground. Weak tackling in mid field allowed Penclawdd to threaten again and from a scrum 25 metres out, followed by a powerful ruck, prop Chris Davies crossed untouched to bring the half-time score to 15-7.

Aber started the second half with more purpose. But despite territorial advantage and at times playing against 14 men, they were unable to pose a serious threat.

As in the first half, the Aber scrum was under pressure and was consistently forced back in the set pieces.

This made it very difficult for No 8 Lee Evans and No 9 Llyr Thomas to release the ball cleanly. As a result, the visitors’ backs were taking the ball on the back foot and, although full-back Matthew Jacobs and centre Carwyn Evans made a few penetrating bursts, the ball died when they were tackled.

Penclawdd were camped within striking distance of the Aber line for long periods, but determined defending kept them out. Pressure eventually told, however, and led to their bonus point try as centre Ryan James sold an outrageous dummy to cross for a try that winger Rhys Eaton converted to close the scoring at 22-7.

Aber came close in the latter stages of the match as they won a lineout following an very good touch, finding penalty kick from Matthew Hughes. The excellent catch and drive took them over the Penclawdd line, but they were deemed to have knocked the ball forward in the process of grounding.

Aber could have no complaints as to the outcome. Their performance was well under par, particularly in ball handling, scrummaging and general game management. Tactics were predictable and lacked variation.

Ball carriers failed to offload and too often there was no one keeping up in support to take a pass. Penclawdd, on the other hand, applied pressure in every department in every phase and mostly Aber failed to deal with it adequately.

Aber’s scrum was once the strongest part of their game, but recently its technique seems to have slipped.

Fixtures early in 2018 should give Aberystwyth an opportunity to gain lost ground in Division One West but, even with games in hand, they will need to improve very considerably.