On a cold drizzly afternoon, Laugharne kicked off with the intention of getting their promotion hopes back on track. Early indications were good with Laugharne being camped in the `Amman` 22 for the first 10 minutes or so. However during this period they were unable to convert this pressure into points, being frustrated by a  resilient defence. Laugharne`s inability to score had a telling effect on their morale by giving `Amman` fresh heart and impetus. Very much against the run of play, `Amman` latched onto a loose ball and using their dangerous backs they worked their way upfield into the Laugharne 22. In desperation, the Laugharne cover defence scampered back but were then penalised for not releasing the ball in the tackle. Up stepped centre G.Lewis to slot over the kick from inside the Laugharne 22 to give `Amman` the early if unexpected lead.

 This setback was just the `shot in the arm` that Laugharne needed as the Laugharne front five began to dominate with the all `Jones` front row of props Robert and Lyndon and hooker Martin giving the opposite front row a torrid time. This set the platform for No.8 John Bowen to pick up and drive into the `Amman` midfield, creating major problems their defence.

 Laugharne eventually got themselves on the score sheet. From a scrum on halfway, scrumhalf Adam Davies fed halfback partner Ross Harries who then popped a sweet short pass to centre Nick Thomas who broke through the initial tackle to take the ball deep into the `Amman` 22 on a diagonal run. He was eventually stopped just short of the `Amman` tryline, but from a series of pick up and drives by the likes of prop Robert Jones and skipper and lock Phil Brown, `Amman` were eventually penalised for killing the ball. Fullback Geraint Beynon made no mistake with the staightforward kick to level the scores at 3pts all.

 The Laugharne forwards continued to dominate the set pieces, the scrums in particular, but unfortunately the decisive and potent play of some of their backs deserted them and had passes been taken, the game could have been over by half time. In the 38th minute Laugharne eventually took the lead with fullback Beynon slotting over his 2nd penalty from 30m for an `Amman` player not releasing the tackled player.

In the dismally cold conditions, `Amman` restarted the 2nd half, but again the Laugharne backs did not have the usual fluidity in their play and it was left to their dominant forwards to control the game with No.8 Bowen and flankers Chris McIlwrick and Robin Hussellbee making the hard yards and then being backed up by locks Chris Thomas and skipper Brown. Such was their ascendency in the scrummage, that after a series of frustrating stoppages by `Amman` reminiscent of `old West Wales tactics` the scrum was eventually demoted to being non-contested.

  Centre Nick Thomas was having a good game and with a good steal off his opposite number he hared into the `Amman` 22 but the movement was eventually nullified by `Amman` due to a lack of Laugharne support. `Amman` continued to stubbornly defend and they seemed happy to keep the score within a few points without trying particularly hard to test or stretch Laugharne. On more than one occasion Laugharne had opportunities to kill the game off, but again some of their backs dithered and it was left to scrum half Davies to marshall his forwards and keep control of the ball. In the 25th minute of the 2nd half, Laugharne extended their lead with the only try of the game. From a scrum just to the right of midfield on the `Amman` 22 scrum half Davies darted to the blind side and combined with centre Shaun Lynch and wing Huw Jenkins who found substitute flanker Kevin Pearce on his shoulder to crash over in the corner for an unconverted try.

 This was the only highlight in a dire 2nd half, with Laugharne showing more enterprise, but apart from their rampaging forwards showing little conviction behind and `Amman` being typically negative. Laugharne will certainly have to be on their mettle in the last three games of the season to go `out on a high`!

 Next week Laugharne play their final away match with a difficult match at Llanybydder, k.o. 2-30pm. Team bus to leave at 12-15pm

 Alun Jenkins Team Manager   Laugharne R.F.C