Division One West: Pembroke 13–39 Aberystwyth

It was billed as a potentially pivotal game at the bottom of Division One West, and it was controlled by Aberystwyth as they turned in a powerful display to beat Pembroke at Crickmarren.

The defeat leaves The Scarlets bottom of the table for Christmas, despite being level on points with both Crymych and Llanelli Wanderers, and undoubtedly facing a fight to survive following an afternoon where their injury worries deepened further.

Scrum half Tom Lewis was stretchered off early in the second half before being taken to hospital, to compound a difficult day for the home side despite them taking an early 3-0 lead when a scrum penalty presented No 10 Toby Smith a simple penalty.

But as the rain teemed down, Aber’s runners off half backs Llyr Thomas and Steff Rees carried with a lot more purpose and it was a burst from winger James Coulton that created the first try. He took an inside pass off No 10 Rees and after being hauled down in the 22 a penalty followed – which his outside half duly kicked to the corner.

The inevitable lineout drive came from which second row Dan Binks touched down.

The pressure continued and Aber went close again when prop Ashleigh Paget drove within inches of the line only for the Aber pack to be penalised at the breakdown - but the second try soon came when hooker Geraint Evans rounded off a series of charges by barging over from close range.

Rees converted to make it 12-3 and the Mid-Wales side then extended their lead further as the Scarlets were guilty of some sloppy play in their own 22, with winger Adam Cavell intercepting a loose pass and going under the posts. Rees converted.

Pembroke rallied though and on the brink of half time they got the score they desperately needed – flanker Rhodri Walters finding himself in midfield and delivering a long pass from which centre Tom Harding-Jones scored in the corner.

Aber re-assumed control early in the second half though as No 8 Lee Gower, impressive throughout, took a pop pass off Thomas to score and Rees converted – with home no 9 Lewis then carried off after going down awkwardly in the build up to the try.

Another charge from Gower then led to a penalty chance that Rees goaled to make it 29-8, before Pembroke gave themselves a glimmer as Smith took a quick tap penalty 20 metres out and he and Harding-Jones combined to put replacement hooker Shane Gwyther over out wide,

But as conditions worsened Rees did brilliantly to land a penalty from the touchline for Aber and then with time running out, replacement Oisin Canney crashed over from close range to seal a job well done for the visitors.

It leaves Pembroke now facing a crucial three game period either side of Christmas, with a derby with Whitland followed by a home game with Penclawdd and a trip to Llanelli Wanderers.

“They were more clinical than us and the injury to Tom is a big loss for us,” admitted home captain Scott Powell.

“But we have to get on with things and try and bounce back.”

Man of the match: Lee Gower

After a difficult start, Aber got on top of things in the set piece and played the power game. It worked.

Gower was one of those integral to that. He frequently carried and made hard yards, and his second half try was just reward.

Gower’s display reflected that of his team at Crickmarren – physical but controlled.

Pembroke: Kyren Gray, Shaun Dalling, Tom Harding-Jones, Dan Colley, Geraint Powell, Toby Smith, Tom Lewis, Lloyd Davies, Seamus Wiseman, Johnny Palmer, Dom Colman, Will Edwards, Harry Phillips, Rhodri Walters, Jordan Gwilliam. Replacements: Jamie Kaijaks, Scott Powell, Jack Smythe, Barrie Alderman-John, Shane Gwyther.

Aberystwyth: Steffan Rees, James Coulton, Carwyn Evans, Matthew Hughes, Adam Cavell, Steff Rees, Llyr Thomas, Owain Bonsal, Geraint Evans, Ashleigh Paget, Arwel Lloyd, Dan Binks, Bryn Sheppard, Lewis Elig-Jones, Lee Gower. Replacements: Oisin Canney, Dorian Jones, Rhodri Evans, Ifan Jones, Steffan Rafferty.

Referee: Jason Ludgate.