Division One West

Amman United 14 Kidwelly 16

Division One West leaders Kidwelly left Cwmaman Park only too aware that the they had enjoyed a sizeable dose of festive good fortune as Amman almost came back from the dead to land what would have been a deserved win.

In what proved the proverbial “game of two halves”, the leaders showed why they are top in a first half where Amman hardly had a sniff of the try-line despite some good play.

It was an attritional first period and a tough forward battle, where Matthew Wrigley, Tom Davies and Sean Mangan showed their mettle with a series of massive hits.

Kidwelly’s opening try came after ten minutes as the Black and Ambers’ pressure finally broke the Amman dam and Number 8 Richard Rees burst over before outside-half Steffan Marshall converted.

Marshall soon added a further penalty.

United had limited possession and were guilty of giving away far too many turnovers with the limited ball they did win.

Forward Craig Radcliffe dislocated a finger, which had to be reset, and soldiered on manfully, while Adrian Thomas replaced full back Gavin Lewis near half-time.

The interval team-talk seemed to work wonders however and Amman were 100 per cent better in the second half.

Kidwelly added a penalty to increase their lead, but Amman dominated from that point on, with the majority of the possession and territory.

Relentless pressure almost paid off, but sub Adrian Thomas was held up a yard out.

Wing Scott Stephens, playing on permit from Pantyffynnon, looked particularly bright. He and the impressive Joel Foster combined well to set up Jonny Bevan to glide in under the posts.

Scrum-half Foster converted

The hosts found their gear and the Kidwelly scrum began to creak, prop Tom Davies on top form for the hosts.

When Davies was replaced by Steff Charles the home dominance continued.

The retreating Kidwelly failed to hold out and flanker Mangan stretched out to reach the whitewash. Foster’s conversion gave Amman a lead that had looked unlikely earlier on.

Kidwelly were awarded a dubious penalty with eight minutes left and Marshall’s kick put the visitors back in front.

Amman battered away at their try-line late on, but they were unable to come back for a second time.

Amman return to action for derby at Ammanford a week on Saturday.