Division One West

Amman United 17 Felinfoel 28

If commitment counted for anything, Amman would have won this game by a mile, but such is the unforgiving nature of Division One West that a couple of untimely errors saw the visitors head home with victory in the bag.

Things began well for the home side still missing a host of regulars as, from early broken play, centre Jonny Bevan gathered to run in from halfway for the opening try. Rhys Williams converted.

But the visitors, third in the table, eventually got their pack moving and began to go through the phases before rumbling over for a pushover try. The conversion went over assisted by the gusty wind at the visitors’ backs in the first half.

Amman competed well up front with the Mangan brothers Sean and Liam industrious as ever while the efforts of Number 8 Craig Ratcliffe were typified by a superb tackle before the interval. Steff Charles, Christian Gregory and Doug Jenkins also all put in good shifts.

United lost Charles to a yellow card on the half-hour and Felinfoel took full advantage with a trademark lineout drive to secure their second try.

Amman almost grabbed a second score of their own near the break, but Sean Mangan failed to hold a tricky pass from outside-half Williams with the line at his mercy.

After the break the visitors spread the ball wide and increased their advantage when a missed tackle saw them go over in the corner for a superbly converted try on the touchline.

United, who had drafted in Brynaman duo Kieran Bennett and Steffan Duggan on permit to bolster their back line, introduced exciting young prospect Daniel Jones on 50 minutes.

But the hosts shot themselves in the foot when, from a promising attack, a stray pass reached Felinfoel hands and the visiting centre accepted the invitation to scamper untroubled for a full 60 yards to claim the bonus-point try.

Amman battled to the bitter end.

Duggan was unlucky not to do better from a good opening before, after some concerted phase play, the hosts created an overlap for flanker Alun Lewis to cross for a fine try.

With Foel hanging on towards the end, United grabbed a third try when, with men over out wide, wing Liam Smith crossed.

With both teams out on their feet, Amman failed to grab the all-important fourth try which would have earned them two invaluable bonus points.

Amman remain in a dogfight with Whitland and Loughor at the foot of the table with Carmarthen Athletic seemingly already doomed.

United travel to league leaders Kidwelly on Saturday while Whitland go to second-placed Newcastle Emlyn and Loughor visit mid-table Gorseinon.