Division Three West

Llandeilo 13 Llanybydder 18

Llandeilo left the field with merely a losing bonus point to show for a determined performance against a lively Llanybydder team but will be seriously disappointed not to have won this game.

It was the first game since the clocks went forward and we entered British Summer Time, but you would never have guessed.

In wet and windy conditions, the teams served up a much better contest than anyone could have hoped.

Llanybydder deserve great credit for their positive approach and they played some good running rugby, matched by the resilience of the home team.

Almost half an hour had passed when the first score arrived but then there was a flurry of activity before the interval.

The visitors opened with a penalty, but Llandeilo hit back immediately.

Aled Williams, helped by captain for the day Nathan Jones, almost reached the line but managed to recycle for centre Aled Tommasson to cross for a try he converted himself.

He added a penalty for 10-3 but then Bydder went straight back down the field and flanker Rhys Morris scored wide on the right before the first of a few contentious decisions went their way.

Llandeilo were playing their way out of defence when the ball was knocked back into their 22. The referee adjudged that it had come off a Llandeilo hand and right winger Sion Walker, looking suspiciously offside after a team mate kicked on, crossed in the corner.

Both tries went unconverted and the visitors led 10-13 at the break.

The second half was fairly evenly matched but the home team had the greater possession and chances.

Tommasson levelled the score with a penalty and Deilo looked the team most likely.

But the visitors continued to fight back, and kicked their way into the corner where replacement Dan Sion Evans forced his way over in the corner.

With ten minutes to go, the home team did exactly the same at the other end. A short line-out led to number eight Rob Hughes reaching the line but the offical found himself on the wrong side of the bodies to be able to award the try that would have tied the scores.

A tap penalty following the resulting scrum was defended from rather less than ten metres and Llandeilo’s last chance had gone.

Credit goes to both sides for an open entertaining game on such an unpleasant day.