ABERYSTWYTH RFC bowed out of the Swalec Plate with a 28-25 home defeat to Glamorgan Wanderers, but with hindsight this was a game which Aber could have won - and with a little bit more discipline in their game they could have prevailed in a very competitive match played in excellent spirit.

What a fascinating and absorbing game is rugby union. Both sides showed great attacking intent right from the kick-off and an interesting fact is that four tries were scored in the game, before the referee awarded the first scrum of the match.

The first try for Aber was a beauty, when after a series of surges by the pack the ball was moved to the narrow side, where Mathew Jacobs came surging through, and with a strong hand-off sliced through the defence to score by the posts. Llyr ‘Pops’ Thomas converted for 7-0.

The Wanderers, however, came storming back and centre Cam Gibbon scored for Luke Fish to convert.

The big Wanderers pack had their tails up at this point, but from one of their strong drives Mathew Hughes easily robbed their big burly prop of the ball and out-stripped the defence from his own 22 to score a fine individual try, which was converted by Llyr Thomas.

Not to be outdone, the Wanderers replied with a fine try of their own when, following a precision cross-field kick, winger LaRoche caught the ball, chipped the defence and won the race to touch down wide-out on the right wing. The try went unconverted and Aberystwyth led 14-12 with only 10 minutes gone.

The remainder of the half was a case of nip and tuck, with both teams having periods of ascendancy with ball in hand, and periods of hard uncompromising defence.

Both kickers scored two penalties each during this period to make the score 20-18 at the half-time interval.

Aber during the first half were guilty of indiscipline, both with ball in hand, where a number of very promising positions were squandered, and a tendency to question some decisions by the referee spoiled the flow of attacks.

Aber started the second half very positively, but they conceded a promising position with needless back-chat to the referee. The error was compounded a few minutes later when they were penalised for crossing. Wanderers kicked to the corner, won the line-out and with a very effective drive, drove Aber back over their line for a try scored by Aaron Fowler, which was converted by Luke Fish to lead 20-25.

Shortly after Aber were penalised for off-side, and Fish chipped over to lead 20-28. Aber finished the game very strongly, which was pleasing having not played a competitive match for four weeks.

Aber began to edge the scrum and set up a series of close attacks. They managed to get the ball over the try line, but the referee was uncertain of the grounding and therefore disallowed. Wanderers, because of the pressure, conceded a number of penalties which Aber spurned in their endeavour to score tries.

After a series of powerful drives the ball was moved to the narrow side where Mathew Hughes was lurking, and he scored his second try, unconverted to make it 25-28.

Aberystwyth, in the time that remained, went on the attack again and forced the Wanderers to concede another penalty. Unfortunately the kick was missed to take the tie to extra time, and the Wanderers went through to the fourth round.

Aber, however, could take heart from a superb debut performance from flanker Lewis Ellis-Jones, and the Wales Under-18s player, who has represented the Scarlets, picked up the Man of the Match accolade.