If effort and commitment equalled league points, Amman United wouldn't be too far off the top of the table.

However, this wasn't enough as the bottom side were beaten 24-0 by Division 2 West leaders St Clears at a rainswept Cwmamman Park.

With conditions on the extremely heavy side, this was never going to be a classic as it turned into a war of attrition in the mud and a real forwards' battle throughout. The conditions, which worsened as the match wore on, did much to blunt and frustrate St.Clears' usual free running style, added to some heroic Amman defence in the first half dominated largely by Saints.

A real first-half slog saw Amman's front- row hold up well, Dylan James, Rhys Phillips and Cian Lewis putting in a real shift opposite Saints' Gary Barnes, Brandon Williams and Dafydd Page.

St Clears, whose young side included youth-product Jake Williams for his first team debut, had the majority of territory and possession but came up against a stubborn United defence superbly led by Alun Lewis who put in some monster hits.

In a scoreless first half, Amman seemed to have reached halftime level, but the dam was breached in injury-time, the elusive opening try arriving as  flanker Jack Green crashed over from close range following numerous phases. Dan Griffiths added the conversion to make it 7-0 at the break.

Amman's discipline, tackling and defence had kept them in it, but they shot themselves in the foot early in the second half when the full -back and wing had a total lack of communication ,and from the  blunder and subsequent melee, centre and captain Jac Howells gleefully picked up to race in for the simplest of tries, again converted by Griffiths.

Iestyn Griffiths had missed an earlier penalty opportunity for Amman, but to be fair, this was one of the few attacking chances which Amman created throughout against a well-drilled team.

In sapping underfoot conditions, defences inevitably tired, and with the momentum now with them, Saints pressure inevitably told as outside- half Sam Miles went over for the third of the day.

Alfie Montomery-Rice made a bright cameo appearance for the Saints off the bench, while Liam Rogers and  Dan Hughes were also in the thick of things as they went in hunt of the elusive bonus point. The visitors' tactical kicking to the corners proved smart play in the conditions, and after some more good play, skipper Jac Howells picked up at halfway and stormed through some tired tackling to weave in from all of 50 yards to cross for the bonus try.

Rhydian Jones, Dan Jones, and Tom Thorneycroft battled away and tackled their socks off in an uphill struggle, but Amman, who drafted in three permit-players into the starting line up, were second best on the day. St Clears' latest victory took them 14 points clear at the top of the table, although they have played more matches than their closest rivals.

Cwmgors, meanwhile, were beaten in Division 3 West (Central) on their trip to Bryncoch, who led 15-0 at half-time before running out 20-7 winners. The Cherries' solitary second half score came with a try from Jordan Smith, who also converted.