League Two West

Amman United 31 Aberystwyth 38

Despite a spirited second half performance, elementary errors and some weak tackling helped condemn Amman United to a third-successive League Two West defeat.

Aberyswyth meanwhile go six points clear at the top, courtesy of the only remaining hundred percent record in the division.

Outside-half Gavin Lewis gave United the lead with an early penalty, but the die was cast when poor tackling allowed Aber’s speedy winger to squeeze over in the corner.

Following an excellent touchline conversion, Amman were caught again soon after from a speculative cross-field kick gifting the same player his second.

A third try came soon after as the visiting centre waltzed through a gap to score.

Amman struggled to get a foothold.

The front-row of Rhys Samuel, Doug Jenkins and Phil Saunders worked hard, but backrow men Alun Lewis and Sean Mangan were the pick, making some good yardage.

After a bright spell, Dan Jones’ burst carved open the defence, almost putting in wing Chris Phillips.

Home pressure eventually paid off as centre Johnny Bevan sucked in the defence and skipper Sean Mangan burrowed over for the try, converted by Lewis.

But back came the Seasiders to earn a bonus point on the half-hour with a pushover try from a close-in scrum.

With Amman scrum half Ryan Williams picking up a yellow, Lewis’ penalty reduced the lead to 24-13 at half-time.

United kept in the hunt after the break, Lewis slotting a brace of penalties as ref Jonathan Fairhurst penalised Aber for killing the ball near their try-line.

Despite being largely outplayed, Amman were only 24-19 adrift, but the hosts afforded the Aber winger too much space and he soon capitalised to notch his hat-trick.

His opposite wing grabbed another to give the home side a mountain to climb, but the Reds never gave up, and Matthew Wrigley’s excellent offload put in Mangan to notch his second score, which Adrian Thomas converted.

Amman at least finished the stronger as wing Chris Phillips’ late chip and chase was narrowly thwarted, but following some superb phase play, Dan Jones went over from a rolling maul to score the try that earned them an unlikely bonus point.

Amman travel to Pontarddulais on Saturday still looking for their first win.