Despite the final scoreline this was a much improved performance by the Seagulls. The league leaders on their own patch was always going to be a steep hill to climb and given Aber’s recent form, they must be given credit for restricting the hosts to five tries on the day. The only disappointment was that they came away without a point scored, but given Tycroes’s record of only conceding five points in total this campaign, this was not totally unexpected. Aber were forced to face a strong wind and damp conditions in the first half and were undone by the hosts tactics of gaining territorial advantage with the elements which eventually paved the way for the home forwards to capitalise with their considerable weight advantage. Aber did gain a fair share of possession with the front row trio of Dan Downes, Eilir Evans and Gavin Lloyd firm in the set pieces, and Rob Jenkins cleaning up in the lineout but time and again found the home defence resilient and as a contest the game was realistically over by the halftime. By then there was a twenty four point gap between the teams with two of the home tries being scored from close in and the third resulting from an unforced error by the visitors. Faultless goalkicking from the Tycroes full back meant that Aber faced an uphill task in the second period.
After the break it was very much of the same with the visitors as in previous games, unable to take advantage of the elements. This too often resulted in breakdowns in the wrong parts of the field which invariably gave the advantage to the home side. Aber’s best opportunity to score came mid way through when a clever chip from Euryl Rees was gathered by the same player, the ball working its way along the backline only for the final pass to go astray with Ywain ap Dylan homing in on the tryline. Tycroes had to wait until midway through the half to extend their lead again through a forward effort and finished on a high with a try on the final whistle.
Whilst Aber will be despondent with another defeat there may well be a chink of light at the end of the tunnel with this brave display and the enforced break for the internationals matches will give the perfect chance to regain confidence and regroup with three home games at Parc Drefach in December