ABERYSTWYTH scored six tries on Saturday (Oct 9) as they ran out 40-8 winners over Pembroke at Crickmarren.

The score suggests an easy victory, but the hosts put up a brave fight throughout the game.

Skipper Arwel Lloyd seems to save his best performances for this venue; and so it was on Saturday as he carried powerfully downfield, breaking tackles and gaining valuable yards.

Although the forwards all earned praise for this fine win, it was the threequarters that scored all six tries. Well marshalled by fly-half Matthew Hughes, they spread the ball wide at every opportunity enabling centre Carwyn Evans to score two tries and right wing Ian Ellis to score three. But it was the ever-improving scrum-half Charles Thomas who crossed for the first try after Pembroke had taken a 3-0 lead.

The hosts’ tight defence made progress difficult for Aber but a storming 30 metre run by Bryn Shepherd broke the deadlock. Ian Ellis was on hand to receive the scoring pass and made no mistake in crossing for Aber’s second try.

Ellis was also responsible for the visitors’ third try of the first half. From a ruck near the half way line it was Arwel Lloyd who powered upfield and Ellis was again on hand to take the final pass. All three first-half tries were beautifully converted by Matthew Hughes.

Pembroke hit back with an unconverted try late on, but Aber turned round 8-21 ahead.

The visitors continued to carry, offload and support well in the second half and good backing up with determined running earned Carwyn Evans a brace of tries and Ian Ellis a third.

Matthew Hughes converted two of these. Pembroke failed to add to their first half tally even though the visitors’ shaky tackling made it easier for them to break through.

Although Aber’s defence is usually good, their tackling is technically limited. This aspect of their game will be exposed more ruthlessly by the stronger opposition they will meet in Division 1 West when the SWALEC leagues resume in mid-November.