The d4T Preseli Babas kicked off their fifth season in style over the Bank Holiday weekend, by winning the Open tournament at the annual Aberystwyth 7s.

With a number of regulars unavailable due to 15 a side commitments, including the Crymych RFC contingent still involved in Division One West, the Babas took the opportunity to field some new faces.

But they had no problem gelling on day one, winning all three games convincingly and only conceding one try.

The Babas' 2017 Player of the Year Rhys Jones (Bethesda RFC) was again at the heart of his side's creative play, and there was some impressive finishing by wingers Ben Barnett (Oxford Quins) and Alun Evans (Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd). 

The form continued into day two as the team won their last two group games to breeze into the Cup quarter finals.

The intensity inevitably increased in the knockout rounds but the Babas raised their game. After winning the quarter final - helped largely by the strong running of Barnie Moul (London Based) and hard tackling of Gareth Owens (Haverfordwest RFC), they faced the unbeaten Timberwolves in the semi final.

Hanging drop kicks from young fly half Dan Evans (Whitland RFC) allowed the eventual player of the tournament Aled Rees (Pontyberem RFC) to regather almost every restart and get his side on the front foot, and Preseli ran out 52-0 winners.

So having conceded just one try all weekend, Amir Jiwa Walji's side kicked off the final in confident mood.

Once again the restarts were critical - and the electric Ben Barnett benefited with a couple of well taken tries, giving him a total of 10 for the weekend as the tournament's top try scorer.

And despite being down to 6 men for two minutes following a sin binning - the Babas maintained their composure to run out 40-12 winners and get their summer off to the perfect start.

Next up for the squad is the Old Penarthians 7s in Cardiff on May 19th.

Squad: Marcus Castle, Gareth Owens, Aled Rees, Rhys Jones, Dan Evans, Amir Jiwa Walji (capt), Alun Evans, Dan Jenkins, Daf Rotie, Barnie Moul, Geraint Williams, Osian Edwards, Ben Barnett.