Division Three West A: St Davids 12-22 Tregaron

You wouldn't go as far to say it should have been for St Davids, but it could have been.

And in an unbalanced Division where wins have proved hard to come by for The Saints in recent seasons, Gethin Bateman and co will view this defeat to Tregaron as a chance that got away.

They led 5-0 early on, missed further opportunities as they were pegged back to 5-5 at half time, and then were left to rue a 10 minute period in the second half which yielded 14 points for the visitors and ultimately settled matters.

A rolling start:

From the outset it was clear the home side's best chance of a win was to keep it tight up front, and they did just that in the opening 10 minutes and fashioned a lineout chance when No 10 Jack Jones booted a penalty to the corner.

Sure enough, it was second row Bateman who took it and from the maul that followed, winger Josh Atherton latched on and buried over.

Jones was wide with the conversion and then frustratingly for the hosts, Tregaron struck from their first real attack when young No 10 Callum Wilson chipped through and then gathered to score, after a cruel bounce caught out St Davids full back Gavin Smith.

The remainder of the half was scrappy, but The Saints failed to capitalise on a dominant set piece and although a burst from centre George Raymond led to a penalty chance for Jones - he dragged it wide from 25 metres.

Tregaron turn the tide:

In the early stages of the second half things opened up, and it suited the visitors.

Home No 8 Josh Strangward burst 30 metres upfield before his off-load went to ground, and flanker Rhys Price opted to take a quick penalty 22 metres out which came to nothing and on both occasions, the away side counter attacked.

The warning signs were there and Tregaron were denied a try when winger Aled Jones was adjudged to have put a foot in touch - but minutes later the winger had his moment, finishing clinically after a break from centre Gethin Williams.

Wilson converted and soon it was 19-5 after the home side were guilty of a tired chase from Jones' long clearance, and it was Tregaron centre Rhydian Jones who rounded off a series of slick off-loads to go under the posts. Wilson again did the honours.

Frantic finale:

With less than five minutes left though, the Saints got back in it when a series of pick and drives saw skipper Dan Murphy plough over - and from out wide Jones converted to reduce the deficit to seven points.

However, even the losing bonus point was then taken away from St Davids when a high tackle on Wilson in midfield gave the No 10 a chance from 30 metres out, and he landed it easily to seal a dogged away win.

Positives for Bateman but no points:

"We were so dominant at the set piece but didn't take advantage," player-coach Bateman told Telegraph Sport.

"There were positives from an improved performance and our fitness was better. But we feel like we threw away four points today.

"And credit Tregaron. They stayed in the fight first half and then got their rewards in the second."

St Davids: Gavin Smith, Josh Atherton, Luke Brooks, George Raymond, Zak Morgan, Jack Jones, Harvey Godkin, Dan Murphy (capt), Adam Williams, Will Davies, Gethin Bateman, Chris Jenkins, Emyr Wile, Rhys Price, Josh Strangward. Replacements: Ben Evans, Alex Richmond, Ray Owen, Fraser Watson, Tanapon Phumkhonsan.