ABERYSTWYTH RFC consolidated their top two position in Division Two West with an excellent performance in their 22-0 win against Carmarthen Athletic last Saturday.

The corresponding fixture at Carmarthen Park in October had been a fairly one-sided win for Aberystwyth, but the Athletic have seen the return of several players to their ranks recently, resulting in a succession of good results, and suggesting some much improved performances.

That indeed proved to be the case, the side Aber faced on Saturday offered a far more formidable challenge.

The extended period of rain had rendered the Plascrug pitch unplayable, in itself a very rare event, and the Club were grateful to be able to play on the nearby Penweddig pitch.

The match started in dry conditions, the ground a stark contrast to the Plascrug surface, even though it soon became apparent that, high up, the winds had considerable strength making playing conditions tricky.

The wind saw off an early penalty attempt from the visitors, but the opening 10 minutes were to be testing for the home side’s defence.

In the 14th minute however quick passing out from a turnover deep inside their own half gave Aber’s dangerous winger Adam Carvell the chance to tear up the flank, and some clever interpassing took play infield.

The move was thwarted, with Aber getting a scrum just 10 metres from the Athletic tryline. It was now the turn of the visiting defence to remain firm, but Aber were also starting to get on the wrong side of Tycroes referee Jason Griffiths, and repeated penalties did not help their cause.

The Aber players were clearly confused by some of the decisions and skipper Jason Rees had an incongruous look as he received a warning for the team on the 20 minute mark.

There had been a significant period of Aberystwyth looking threatening deep inside the visitors’ half, but that came to an end three minutes into the second quarter when Mr Griffiths kept his word and issued a yellow card to the home side, reducing them to 14 men for 10 minutes.

The penalties kept coming and in the 31st minute Aber were reduced in numbers again, to 13; the growing level of loud response from the Aber supporters possibly did not help matters, but there was clearly a difference between Aber’s and the referee’s interpretation of the law book.

Throughout the scoreline remained blank, but Aber’s afternoon took a distinct turn for the worse when play was halted by what looked like a serious injury. Thankfully, it was not of the severity of the previous weekend’s fractured limb, but it was a groggy Billy Thomas who left the field, to be transported to hospital.

Aber regrouped and entered a period of utter determination to break through the defence. At that point weather conditions played a hand as well as a fierce hailstorm blew over the field, spectators and players alike suffering from the stinging rain.

Aber coped with this in better fashion and in the middle of it made their way to the line, where lock Lee Evans touched down for the opening try of the match - and Rees converted to give Aber a 7-0 lead that prevailed until Mr Griffiths blew the whistle to close an extended opening half.

Aber started the second half just as they had ended the first and within four minutes of the restart centre Steff Rees won a chase up the left hand edge of the field to claim the second try. The conversion from the touchline was a hopeless cause but Aber had a well-deserved 12-0 lead.

The Athletic did not give up and there followed a period of intense play from both sides, but interspersed with frequent stoppages.

Aber got a third yellow card in the 68th minute but again they stepped up their play, despite their numerical disadvantage. The home side got their third try in the 73rd minute when replacement back Myles Hamilton touched down; over-eager defence to try and stop it earned the visitors a yellow card this time.

Time seemed to be running out for any further scoring, but Aber were fully aware that just one more try would bring a valuable bonus point. Another kick and chase saw that goal achieved in the 77th minute when the Kiwi Hamilton claimed his brace and Aber’s victory was complete.

This was an excellent victory for the home side, and their opponents had been a far more accomplished side than the one they faced in the corresponding fixture in October.

It is always difficult too to play in a match where the penalty count is so disparately one-sided as this one, but Aber showed immense character, despite the yellow cards, in coping with all that was thrown at them.

The Six Nations creates gaps in the League programme and Aber have two Saturdays off before their next match, a visit to Fishguard on 20 February, the shortest month having no League action at all at Plascrug.