Division Two West

Amman United 32 Trebanos 17

Amman United climbed back to second place in Division Two West following last week’s defeat to unbeaten Maesteg Quins by inflicting Trebanos’ first league defeat.

The match was preceded by a minute’s silence for former Amman Quins player Neil James.

The match proved a star-studded affair with former Welsh internationals Shane Williams keeping an eye on brother Dean and Robert Jones backing his brother Rhodri’s work as the visitors’ coach.

The boot of Adrian Thomas gave United an early 3-0 advantage as the hosts began well.

A cross-field kick brought a line-out and when the ball was swept wide by Joel Foster, fit-again wing Johnny Bevan dived over in the corner.

An interception almost gifted a second try, but Trebanos hit back with a score on the break from an Amman attack thanks to centre Christian Jones, converted by Sean Hamer.

But from the restart, United scored when forward Sean Mangan crashed over and Thomas converted.

Williams’ lightning breaks were putting Amman on the front foot, and Joel Foster’s superb tackle as the visiting winger seemed through, preserved their lead.

However, Amman’s Achilles Heel emerged again with a couple of yellow cards before half-time for Gavin Lewis and Chris Rees, but the 13 men coped and, even better, the man-light pack put the shove on from a scrum, and from the ball’s release, Williams’ trickery took him over in the corner for a converted try.

Substitute Gavin Elliott, on for Matthew Wrigley, came on to very good effect at the line-outs and in the loose.

Trebanos, who lost Jordan Hopkins to an eye injury and Amir Hussain (knee), then lost captain Rhys Thomas to a leg injury, but stayed in the hunt.

When United’s returning flanker Andrew Lacey infringed, Hamer’s penalty made it 27-10.

The Amman pack was rampant as the game wore on with the front row of Tom Davies, Doug Jenkins and Liam Mangan dominant.

From a twice-shoved power scrum, they made the yards and scrum-half Foster dabbed for the important bonus-point try.

The visitors hit back to score a second try via full back Alan Sterle.

Rob James and Ryan Williams came on late for Amman with the latter heavily involved offensively as Amman pressed the Trebanos try-line.

Amman travel to Dunvant on Saturday.