ABERYSTWYTH RFC prevailed in an exciting, full-blooded contest against Llanelli Wanderers, with the result being in doubt right up until the final whistle of their match at Plascrug.

The Wanderers showed intent right from the start, and after some close drives from their pack they moved the ball quickly across the back line to free up the right winger Rich De Filipo, who scored wide out. The try went unconverted.

Aber had to withstand a period of intense pressure, which tested their resolute defence, and with a couple of good steals by their back row they managed to clear their lines.

Aber scored next through their backs, with blind side winger Rhodri Richards coming into the line, and following some lovely passing the ball reached full back Mathew Jacob, who fended off a would-be tackler and powered over to score a fine try. Llyr Thomas successfully converted to make the score 7-5.

Winger Richards once again featured shortly afterwards, when he unluckily failed to gather a lovely box kick from scrum half Thomas.

Aber, however, extended their lead when outside half Llyr Thomas kicked a penalty to lead 10-5.

Both teams were full of attacking intent, with penalties taken quickly to speed up the game, and defences were stretched on a few occasions.

Wanderers scrum half Sam Weeds had a fine game, probing and testing the Aber defence constantly.

Both Aber centres were prominent throughout, carrying the ball strongly, but the hosts failed to capitalise from a lovely break through the middle by Carwyn Evans.

The teams were pleased to hear the half time whistle after a very exciting and committed first half.

Both sides had effective line-outs, the scrums were fairly even, and defences were uncompromising, but the neutrals felt that Aber had edged it slightly in open play.

Wanderers, however, started the second half full of resolve and purpose, and after a move down the right, centre Rhydian Morgan scampered over for a try, which was converted by a fine effort from Jonny George to take a 10-12 lead.

In the meantime, Aberystwyth’s Lee Gower had suffered a nasty injury, and he was stretchered off.

The Wanderers were now dominant and they kicked frequently to pen Aber back in their own half.They exerted a lot of pressure in defence, which forced Aber to concede a penalty, converted by Jonny George to extend the lead to 10-15.

Aber stiffened their resolve after this setback and looked purposeful in attack - and with about five minutes of the game remaining Aber established themselves in the Wanderers’ 22 with a series of drives, which Llanelli did well to repel.

Following another quickly taken penalty, Carwyn Evans burrowed over to score the crucial try, before a fine pressure conversion by Llyr Thomas saw Aber take the lead at 17-15, and they saw out the remainder of the game fairly comfortably.

This was a full-on physical encounter, and how Llanelli Wanderers are bottom really beggars belief.

The Aber coaches had asked their players before kick-off how much did they wanted to win the game, and that question was answered emphatically in a full-on contest between two teams who were both a credit to Division One West rugby.