Ammanford 6 Aberystwyth 19 Division Three West Ammanford lost a league game at home for the first time this season, against a much bigger side.

After beating the visitors by 48 points at their grounds, it looked like another win for the league leaders, but Aberystwyth, with a sprinkling of players on dual registration, proved too big and powerful for the young home side, who put in a titanic struggle before going down by 6-19.

Aberystwyth had been only a point ahead 6-7 going into the last 10 minutes but two tries, one by outside half Barry Thomas and a last second try by centre Paul Stubbs denied Ammanford even a bonus point which at least they deserved.

Ammanford had been in the game from the start, and for the first 20 minutes were on top with flanker Shaun Miles putting in a strong run, winger Craig Maloney also ran well, and flanker Rhodri Danter lost the ball in the act of scoring.

In their first encounter into the Ammanford 22m, a scrum was wheeled and ex-Llandovery flanker, Eifion Gwynne picked up and strolled over for a soft try, which Gwilym Evans converted. Craig Maloney put over two penalties and minutes before half time scrum half Ioan Jones looked in for a certain try, but a superb tackle stopped him in his tracks inches short of the try line.

With the score at half time 6-7, Ammanford pulled out all the stops, although struggling in the scrums against a far bigger pack, the home side went on all out attack, full back Mathew Fisher hit the line, and sent winger Gary Stephens away on the half way line. The flyer rounded his marker and cut inside and only an excellent tackle by full back Thomas, prevented the try. But although pegging the visitors on their line, and Maloney missing a couple of penalties, Aberystwyth came away from the danger area, and steadily pegged the home side in their own 22m. With time running out and the score still at 6-7, Ammanford were trying to run everything from their own 22m. Aberystwyth bigger pack were getting on top and despite Ammanfords desperate defence, two late tries and one conversion seated the win for a very strong Aberystwyth outfit, who will not loose many games if they can field this side for the remainder of the season.

A very gutsy performance by the young Ammanford side, who remain top of Division 3 West, but most now bounce back against Cardigan away which is their next league fixture.

Man of the match for Ammanford, captain Mark Jones, who put in a towering performance in the line out and led his team from the front.

Ammanford RFC will play Laugharne RFC in the semi final of the West Wales Bowl competition at Carmarthen Quins ground. Date to be arranged.