Division One West

Amman United 25 Crymych 29

A late injury-time try by the visitors robbed Amman the chance to give outgoing coaches Tony Williams and Gareth Davies a winning send-off.

A previous bonus point for Loughor meant United were already relegated before the game, but the late nature of the defeat was a suitable reflection of the Reds’ season.

Amman soaked up some good early Crymych pressure, typified by full-back Joel Foster’s superb tackle to save a certain corner try.

Adrian Thomas’ wind-assisted penalty gave United the lead rather against the run of play, before they were forced into a series first-half substitutions, with Doug Jenkins and Liam Smith entering the fray.

A fine Liam Mangan break put his side on the front foot, and Andy Bevan and Craig Ratcliffe took it on, but wing Scott Stephens was just held up on the line.

A breakaway try from the Pembrokeshire men gave them the lead on the half-hour, but United hit back well before half-time as scrum-half Ryan Williams’ cleverly sniping, using the referee’s positioning as a block, put Jenkins in to score a try, converted by Thomas.

Amman forward Tom Davies was yellow-carded before the break, and the hosts’ titanic defensive effort was breached as the 14 men conceded just before the interval.

The visitors’ third try proved controversial, with Amman all stopping as linesman Brian Davies’ raised his flag to signal touch, only for the referee to award the score.

The home side battled back with Jenkins doing much of the spadework. His break and offload put Gavin Lewis in to cross for another converted try.

United took the chance to blood a few promising Youth team products in Rhydian Jones and Rhys Phillips, who gave a good account in the second half.

Amman’s solid scrum 15 yards out paved the way for a bonus-point try when the excellent Sean Mangan went over.

A farewell victory was on the cards when Amman went 25-17 ahead late on after Lewis’ scooped pass put in wing Smith for the try.

The visitors’ flying wing scored a fine try six minutes from the end, but Amman looked to be holding out as Smith put in a great hit to save his side.

But all the hard work was for nought as Crymych pinched an injury time heartbreaker to grab a fortunate win.

Amman United’s annual Players’ Presentation Evening will be held this Saturday (May 9) at the Aman Centre, Ammanford.