AFTER the debacle of last season, with a very much restricted league schedule, the new campaign brought much relief and encouragement for Aberaeron, as they beat St Davids 76-5 in Division Three West A at Parc Drefach.

Pre-season offered promise and optimism, and the performance on the day confirmed and enhanced a belief that this could be the start of something special.

Much is indebted to the benefit of the youth development section, and half the starting 15 on the day were the result of progression from last year’s ranks.

The confidence and exuberance shown by the back-line, with pace in abundance, was a welcome addition to the solid front eight, and the 12 try salvo was the result of some exciting interplay, with most of the scores being long distance efforts.

Aberaeron showed intent from the first whistle, with three tries inside 10 minutes.

Youth product Steffan Dale crossed on his senior debut, quickly followed by Dyfrig Dafis, and a brace from the impressive Tom Slinger at centre set the scene, with Rhodri Jenkins adding three conversions to put his side in the comfort zone.

The Saints had their fair share of possession, but their lack of cutting edge only served to restrict their efforts to a solitary try from scrum half Zac Morgan.

The second half was even more emphatic as St Davids had very little response to the expansive play of the home side.

The advantage was increased within minutes of the restart as a Sean Stephens break found wing Dafis for his second try.

The recognised stalwarts made their presence felt, with a try apiece by captain Alex Danton and Tudur Jenkins, but the youngsters to again showed the way with a brace apiece from brothers Morgan and Dafydd Llewelyn, both resulting from pure pace defeating the visitors’ defence.

Fittingly the final try came the way of Aaron Lewis, whose demanding and compelling presence only goes to show the new found belief within the squad and the cool presence of outside half Jenkins, with a 12 point haul, complimented an enjoyable afternoon for the home team.

No doubt more difficult challenges await, but in the meantime they can dwell on an excellent start to the campaign.

For full match reports from all the senior rugby clubs in Ceredigion, see this week’s South edition of the Cambrian News.