Aberaeron 14 – Carmarthen Athletic 18

🏉 Steffan Rees

🏉 Owain Bonsall

🦵 Rhodri Jenkins x2 Trosiad / Conversions

🏅 MoM: Gethin Jenkins

FIVE games into the league season, and Aberaeron are still searching for that elusive first win, writes Arwyn Sychpant.

The margins tell their own story: four narrow defeats and a draw, with a total points difference of just -14 — under three points per game. It has been a season of nearly, and the Aberaeron faithful will feel that this match fell firmly into the should have won category.

There is plenty of data to show where the team can learn and build as they adapt to life in Division 1 rugby. One area that will be in focus is the sheer volume of pressure being created in the opposition 22 without the reward to match it.

Twelve times this season the ball has been carried over the try‑line only for the scorer to be held up — and two of those near-miss moments came again today.

Despite the disappointment, the mood remains positive. Performances are strong, effort unquestionable, and the belief is clear: tighten the fine margins, and the results will follow.

At Parc Drefach in this game, the pattern of last season’s meetings with Carmarthen Athletic re‑emerged. The visitors struck in the first minute with an unconverted try, but Aberaeron responded superbly.

Captain Steffan Rees intercepted and sprinted 60 metres to score, before Owain Bonsall finished off a driving maul. Both were converted by Rhodri Jenkins, giving the home side a deserved half‑time lead.

Athletic were clinical after the break, creating, and taking their scoring opportunities when they came — a maul try and two penalties. Aberaeron dominated territory and possession in the final quarter, hammering away at the line.

Man-of-the match Gethin Jenkins crossed for a potential match winning score late in the game, but unfortunately for the home team and their supporters, the referee was unsighted. Two yellow cards for the visitors added to the drama, yet the decisive score refused to come.

Another pulsating match, another narrow defeat — but also another performance full of heart, control, and signs that the breakthrough is close.

The first team now take a week’s break, with Y Gwylanod travelling to St Clears and the youth heading to Tonmawr for their WRU Cup fixture.