Phil thrilled as Amman start with a bang

Felinfoel 28 Amman United 30

Last season’s Division Three West Champions Amman United made the step up to a higher level with a well-merited victory in their opening game at Felinfoel.

Wales legend Phil Bennett was on hand to watch his home club and he witnessed both sides put on a very entertaining clash with lots to admire.

Bennett would have been pleased with his side’s first-half performance. The hosts were well-drilled and were good around the fringes of a really hard but well-matched affair.

Amman missed a few promising openings through some errant decision-making and suffered a blow when long-serving forward Karl Worsfold hobbled off after 25 minutes.

But the veteran was ably-replaced by new signing from Pontardawe Jordan Burn.

The visitors did score the best try of the half after Adrian Thomas began things in the deep. Gavin Lewis took the ball on and exchanged passes superbly with Dean Williams before the latter went over for a trademark Amman try.

United trailed 17-5 at the interval, but were always in the game.

With a slight slope advantage and the wind at their tails in the second half, they played well to turn things around.

The excellent Sean Mangan seemed to cover every blade of grass in an outstanding display while Stuart Herbert was the pick of the backs, claiming two of Amman’s four tries to kick off their season with a bonus point.

Lock Chris Rees grabbed the visitors’ other try while Rhys Thomas added two penalties and a pair of conversions with his boot.

Amman host Seven Sisters at Cwmamman Park on Saturday.