While the rugby world concurred with the Welsh Rugby Union Board declaring the season null and void due to the Covid-19 crisis, it is perhaps understandable there were misgivings among many Lampeter followers.

Having spent the last few season treading water in League 3 West A, the oldest club in Ceredigion and the Teifi Valley was determined to be promoted to League 2 West and when a halt was called Aled Thomas and colleagues were in the vanguard with five games remaining.

Formed in 1875 – a year before fellow leaguers Cardigan – the North Road club was a member of the West Wales Rugby Union before the introduction of the national leagues.

Whether The Maroons would have gone through with their promotion challenge will never be known, but it can be said that there were crucial encounters scheduled before the end of the campaign.

Without doubt the biggest games were home and away against third in the table Laugharne who trailed the pacesetters by five points but had three games in hand.

Thomas and Co would also have hosted second-placed St Clears who had a similar record to the leaders but were two points adrift of their rivals.

Lampeter were also due to meet Haverfordwest at North Road, the Blues still with an outside chance of going up, and would have been expected to complete a double over Cardigan at King George V Playing Field and account for second from bottom Llangwm.

Although it is no more than speculation after the cancellation, Lampeter can take heart from one of the most successful seasons for some years and will undoubtedly be targeting promotion in season 2020-2021.

League standings were as follows: Lampeter 60; St Clears 58; Laugharne 55; Aberaeron, Haverfordwest 52; Pembroke Dock Quins 40; Llanybydder 37; Cardigan 34; Tregaron 31; Neyland 17; Llangwm 16; St Davids 1