AMMAN United nicked an injury-time bonus point try via centre Tom Caddell to put the icing on the cake of a victory that takes Amman top by eleven points, following Trimsaran’s home loss to Tumble.
However, the leaders had to work hard for the win against a bright, dogged and determined Llandybie side who dominated possession in periods, but lack of a cutting edge near the tryline let them down.
The Woodfield Road side were more than a match, particularly in the first half; forwards Owen Williams, Jordan Tommasson, Rhys Cann and Steff Thomas carried well, while Canadian import Jack Part also played well.
But their efforts were in vain, and United hit them where it hurt on the break, and from a driving lineout, hooker George Clarke crashed over for an unconverted try.
Jason Knell, Sean Mangan and Rhys Howells made some good breaks, while scrum half Alex Williams was again the spark, his man of the match performance seeing some lovely individual silky runs which gave Llandybie endless problems.
Amman wasted some ball, kicking when perhaps should have kept ball in hand, but they doubled their lead with a cracking line out move, hooker Clarke interpassing with Tom Thorneycroft before getting the return to score his second try. Outside-half Iestyn Griffiths’ conversion gave the Reds a 12-0 half time advantage.
Llandybie played well in parts, and their persistence paid off, Garin Criddle punched holes in the Amman defence before the ball swept wide and wing Cody Jones finished off a deserved try.
Amman emptied the subs’ bench as the match wore on, Jason Richards, Tom Hopkin, Harley Davies, Joel Foster and debutant Ioan
James coming on.
A Griffiths penalty dropped short, before United grabbed a third try, the best so far, as Alex Williams snaked past four defenders like an eel to cross for a superb solo try, converted by the boot of Griffiths.
Llandybie kept knocking at the door, but United’s defence is resilient these days as Josh Watkins,Ceri Davies and Tom Howells all found out.
With minutes remaining, Amman were pushing hard for the fourth bonus point earning try, which seemed to have eluded them, until centre Tom Caddell popped up in injury time to cement the victory in a well-contested, full-blooded local-derby played in excellent spirit.
Amman hit the road on Saturday again when they travel to New Dock Stars, while Llandybie will hope for an elusive second victory of the
season away at Llangadog.
Cwmgors RFC were defeated on the road in Division 3 West Central with a 38-8 loss on their trip to Bryncoch meanwhile.The Cherries are in action again on Wednesday, April 5, when they play away at Vardre (7pm kick off).
