ABERYSTWYTH made the perfect response to an unsatisfactory performance the previous week as they claimed a solid 47-17 win in their WRU Swalec Plate encounter against Division Two West side Mumbles.

This victory was achieved despite having to rest a number of injured regulars.

The offloading and supporting weaknesses of the previous week were reduced, and this resulted in flowing, cohesive rugby with a hatful of very well-worked tries.

The final score, however, does not do justice to the skill and determination shown by the home side, and it required a good, disciplined performance to win it.

Aber were disjointed and clumsy in the first quarter, as passes were spilled and possession given away. In the second quarter they hit a purple patch and they moved the ball wider, handling improved and players combined more effectively.

First half tries from centre Steff Rees, Carwyn Evans at full-back, winger Ben Jones and captain Lee ‘Truck’ Evans, with three conversions from Llyr Thomas, put Aber 3-26 ahead at the interval, after Ewan Gully had kicked a penalty for the hosts.

Mumbles started the second half with determination and took play deep into the visitors’ 22 metre area. Weak covering allowed scrum half Harry Davies to cross under the posts, and Gully added the conversion to close the gap to 10-26.

They were to go on and add a converted try later on, after Aberystwyth had been caught napping by a long kick ahead.

The visitors scored three second half tries, the first coming from winger James Coulon, after good inter-passing between Ifan Thomas and Lee ‘Truck’ Evans.

The second came from Carwyn Evans, who intercepted a loose pass on his line and ran the length of the field to score.

Substitute wing forward Steffan Evans closed the try-scoring for Aberystwyth after another powerful break by Carwyn Evans, and Llyr Thomas converted all three tries to bring the final score to 17-47.

As usual, there were very solid performances from Lee ‘Truck’ Evans, Lee Gower, Dan Binks and Robbie Parry. The new-look front row of Oisin Canne, Owain Boswell and James Plumridge/Nicholls also made a big impression for Aber.

The standard of rugby shown by ‘newcomers’ Sam Hesden, Ben Jones and James Coulon was also encouraging and bodes well for the future. But the newcomer who stood out most was second row forward Dorian Jones.He put in a tireless performance in the tight and particularly in loose play, and his work-rate was exceptional in defence and attack.

Behind the scrum, Ifan Thomas was back to his best at No 9 and he varied his kicking and passing game expertly.

His brother Llyr also kicked well from hand and his place-kicking was faultless.

The centres and both new wingers too played a full part in this win. But it was Carwyn Evans, playing out of position at full-back, who probably earned the man-of-the match prize for his defence, his probing runs and occasional offloading.

Aberystwyth used all their substitutes and each one earned his place off the bench. The performance of so many new faces in the line-up makes it even more important that the club pursues every prospect of getting fixtures arranged for a second team as a matter of urgency.