Division One West

Crymych 28 Amman United 19

It was a case of so near and yet so for the Amman for whom a first victory of the season remains just out of reach, despite plenty of effort and application.

Hosts Crymych ultimately came out on top in a classic game of two halves where the weather proved crucial to proceedings.

A gale force wind was at United’s backs in the first half and the visitors took full advantage of the conditions with forward Sean Mangan getting the final touchdown for the opening try.

With Amman playing well and the visiting pack playing out of their skins, a charge-down and interception in midfield put them on the attack.

Jonny Bevan made the most of the situation to race in from all of 40 metres to grab the second score and Adrian Thomas added the conversion to give the visitors a 12-0 interval lead.

However, the strength of the wind left no one in any doubt that a 12-point was likely to be vulnerable.

And so it panned out.

The Pembrokeshre outfit were able to make short work of the Amman advantage following the turnaround and a quick double-salvo of converted tries saw them take a 14-12 lead.

Much to their credit however, United hit back as their marauding pack, despite the energy-sapping conditions, got the shove on and were able to push back the hosts in scrum after scrum.

The official kept his eye on the hosts’ spoiling tactics and eventually lost patience to award the visitors a penalty-try.

Crymych grabbed a third converted try to regain a narrow lead, but Amman still held on to the consolation of a losing bonus-point until virtually the last passage of play, when the home side managed to grab a last-gasp fourth to erase even that.

Amman remain without a win but continue to go close and surely that elusive win will eventually arrive.

United’s next league fixture, at home to Gorseinon a week on Saturday, will offer them their next opportunity.