Blaina RFC - 22

ABER may be proving a tough proposition to beat at Bailey Park this season, but last Saturday's defeat on the road at Blaina entails they have yet to tuck an all-important away win under their belts.

Blaina has not been a happy hunting ground for Abergavenny over the past seasons, but for this fixture one of Aber's prodigal sons had returned in the shape of Jack Flowers (inside centre).

Flowers, alongside Stuart Davies and Nathan Preece formed a midfield the envy of many clubs.

The versatile Andy Watson found himself at left wing, whilst in the forwards Steve Coles and Lewis Smith were at lock with the two Owens, Staphnil and Williams at Prop. The workmanlike 

Josh Hitchman was at openside. 

Aber began brightly and it was Hitchman who after 10 minutes drove into the heart of the home defence, up the midfield and into the 22, drawing in several defenders.

The ball was spun out to Flowers who fixed his man to create room on the outside for Will Williams who rounded the covering full back to score in the corner (0-5).

Blaina responded quickly and pinned the visitors back on their try line before releasing their winger who had come infield and dissected the line at an acute angle for a converted try under the posts (7-5).

Hopes of a free flowing rugby spectacle were dashed by a combination of an over pedantic referee and inexcusable errors through lack of concentration and indiscipline from both sides. Sadly for Aber their error count was the highest and was to be their downfall.

Blaina gained territorial advantage through a series of penalties and capitalised on this when good work between their fullback and wing created an overlap for their winger to round the aber defence and score a converted try (14-5).

Aber began the second half stronger with driving runs from Hitchman, Smith and Coles giving good field position. A penalty in front of the posts by Watson reduced the deficit to 14-8. Aber continued to press again, unfortunately all territory was lost by players being off their feet at the breakdown and refs are keen to pick this up this season.

A head injury to big lock Coles reduced the power in the scrum and he was replaced by light weight flanker Tom Rees. After some reshuffling Alex Gethin went to lock but the scrum was not as solid.

Blaina again made good use of the possession and only a try saving tackle by Will Williams prevented his opposite number scoring. It was to little avail as from the resultant lineout Blaina took the ball and drove over (19 -8).

An Abergavenny recovery looked hopeful when the ref lost patience with the Blaina openside flanker for continually being offside and dispatched him for 10 minutes with a yellow card. The visitors however never really took advantage of the extra man and it was a pleasure to see Coles returned bandaged for some much needed grunt up front.

The sides swapped penalty conversions and it was 22-11 going into the final ten minutes.

Aber did claim try of the match with a fabulous individual effort from Nathan Preece who created something out of nothing running through tackles and side stepping his way through midfield to score beneath the posts, converted by Watson (22-18).

Preece's try secured what could be a vital bonus point in defeat for Aber if they are to court any promotion hopes this season.

Next week Abergavenny entertain Croesyceiliog at Bailey Park. KO 2.30pm.