An enthralling contest was witnessed at Plascrug between two sides who really wanted to play rugby.

Both Aberystwyth and Whitland came into the game with a lot of confidence, off the back of some impressive victories, and they served up a cracker of a game, with the hosts coming through for 28-20 win.

It was a superb advert for Division One West rugby, and long may it continue.

Both teams had strengths in attack,with Whitland at their most effective with their strong drives and carries down the middle, whilst Aber sensed they could pose more of a threat by moving the ball wide and using their support runners.

Aber scored first when, from a scrum on halfway, Ian Ellis came off his wing and burst through the defensive line and moved the ball on through the backs for left winger Carwyn Evans to cut back inside to score a fine try by the posts. Steff Rees converted easily for a 7-0 lead.

Whitland lost their open-side flanker Ryan Morgan to a yellow card for a no-arms tackle and Aber took full advantage.

Off the line-out on the left, they moved infield through a couple of phases and then moved the ball back left for Tom Kenko Evans, who with a delightful take and give put Steff Rees over in the corner.

Whitland, however, hit back with some powerful drives, and their pack rumbled over by the posts, with prop Aaron Mayne scoring the try, successfully converted by influential outside-half Setaro.

Then, with Aber unable to cope with a speculative kick, the ball was picked up by centre Scott Chandler, who ran strongly to score a try under the posts, and again Setaro converted for a 12-14 lead.

Whitland continued to attack and the Aber defence did very well to contain a powerful drive, turn the ball over and move the ball quickly to Mathew Hughes who made a lovely break, only for his pass to go to ground with the line open.

Aber’s scrummage started to get on top, and when Whitland conceded a scrum penalty, up stepped Steff Rees to take them into a narrow 15-14 half-time lead.

The first half had been a hard, uncompromising exciting affair, with two efficient defences forcing some mistakes, but both teams were playing to their strengths and going all out for the win.

The second half continued in much the same vein, and the hosts scored next.

Flanker Bryn Shepherd, who had a magnificent game, picked up a loose ball after a turn-over and fed Mathew Hughes, who sped over from the 10m line to score an unconverted try wide out.

Whitland came back strongly, and forced Aber back on the defence. During this period of dominance, Setaro kicked two penalties to level the score at 20-20.

This stirred Aber into a sense of urgency, and they camped in the Whitland 22 for the next period. They had a succession of scrums which Whitland did well to defend, but eventually the pressure paid off for Aber when centre Dylan Evans burrowed over to score a bonus point try wide out with under 10 minutes to go.

Both teams now went hard to win the game and Aber got slightly the upper hand and worked their way into the Whitland half. It took a touch of magic for Aber to seal the win and importantly deny Whitland a losing bonus point.

With the referee playing advantage for an Aber penalty, Tom ‘Kenco’ Evans kicked a majestic drop goal from fully 40 meters out, to end the scoring at 28-20.

Both teams deserve credit for a highly entertaining full-blooded game, with Aber showing great commitment and determination to come out on top.