Pontypool United RFC - 32

ABER'S return to the fray was nowhere near as bright as the floodlights which lit up there defeat at the hands of a sparky Pontypool United side who showed plenty of fighting flash, dexterous dash, and ball passing panache.

Coming in off a good run of form in the league, Ponty visited Bailey Park last Friday evening to lock horns on a floodlit field.

Captain Stuart Davies at full back led a side which included a recall for veteran forward James Williams at blindside flanker and Andy Watson on the wing.

Outside half Chris Anderson had recently been selected to play for the Welsh Crawshays at Oxford University and was a welcome return with his wealth of experience.

Ponty started the stronger with Aber not setting foot in their half for the opening 15 minutes.

The visitors played an attractive brand of rugby with blistering pace in the backs and strong forward drives with quick recycled ball. They were rewarded with a try from the outside centre after an overlap was created out wide (0-5).

From the restart Ponty continued to pile on the pressure and a try saving tackle under the posts from centre Jack Flower only stemmed the tide briefly.

A line-out on the Aber 22 saw the ball fed back inside to a Ponty wing who exploded along the tramlines to score in the corner (0-10).

Aber were struggling to win their own line-out ball but thankfully number eight Paul Cornock was successful on stealing a number of tail line-out balls from Ponty to even the balance.

Against the run of play, talented full back Stuart Davies gathered just outside his 22 and scored a fine individual try after beating three tacklers to speed down the wing to score, (5-10).

Aber's pack now came to the fore picking and driving and drawing in the Ponty defence, until finally the ref yellow carded a visiting prop for slowing the ball down.

Chris Anderson took the penalty to bring Aber within two points (8-10).

This failed to subdue Ponty's attacking prowess and Aber's failing line-out cost them dearly as they lost their own throw on their 22. Quick hands across the Ponty backline put their winger into the opposite corner of the field for a converted try (8-17).

From the restart, and with a player in the sin bin, Ponty attacked again at pace. Excellent interplay between backs and forwards set their other wing free to score, (8-22).

Aber reduced the defecit just before the interval with another Anderson penalty (11-22).

Half time saw a change of personnel for Aber in the front row with new transferee from Blaina, Frank James at prop and club captain and hooker Gareth Williams being weaned back into contact after months off through injury.

Aber began the second half with much more fire in the belly. Openside Josh Hitchman broke the line from well in his own half and carried for 40 yards, supported by his pack who drove onto the visitor's line enabling Frank James to drive over for a dream start (16-22).

Aber now took the fight to the visitors and Ponty were reeling at the ferocity of Aber's forward effort.

Yet, Ponty weathered the storm and responded, first with a penalty (16-25) and then a converted try to put the result beyond doubt, (16-32).

Aber rallied again and were awarded a penalty try through the power of the forwards in a succession of scrums five yards out, but it was Ponty who left the field with a deserved victory.

Next Saturday Abergavenny host league leaders Rhymney at Bailey Park. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.