Ynysybwl - 17

AFTER an abysmal first-half outing in their match against Ynysybwl, the Abergavenny 'old guard' were let off the leash after the interval and managed to salvage not quite a win, but at least another bonus point for the Bailey Park brigade.

At present Aber hold the record of having scored more bonus points to date than any other side in the WRU lagues this season. A dubious title perhaps, but one at least that keeps Aber inching further and further away from the quicksand of relegation.

Coach Gary Lawrence told the Chronicle, "These bonus points that we keep picking up could make all the difference when the season grinds to a halt, so we're not going to knock them.

"It was however disappointing to lose again on Saturday, but the simple fact is we were defeated because there was not enough experience on the field in the first-half.

"We lost Gareth Williams in the first ten minutes because of a trapped nerve in his neck which meant he could not take the pressure in the scrum, and consequently from then on in we were lacking his leadership.

"Now no disrespect to Gareth, but you need more than one leader on the pitch anyway, and I think that's what we have been lacking of late."

Contradicting the point made in last week's Chronicle by Forwards Coach Gareth Taylor who argued it was short-term and pointless thinking to fill a team with thirty-something seasoned veterans just for short-term gain, Lawrence opted to enlist some of the campaign hardened troops of 'Dad's Army' during the second-half, in a desperate bid to turn the game around.

The gamble paid off and Lawrence said, "After the interval we brought on Tony Edwards and Gareth Taylor, and we were a different team. Their experience got us back on the front foot and combined with fellow veterans Steve Hamer and James Williams, who came out of retirement to aid the cause, we were back in the running."

Tom McPhereson scored both tires for the claret and ambers in the second-half, and Steve Lang chipped in with a conversion.

Aber could have won the match in the dying seconds when a driving maul led to James williams crossing, unfortunately the ref disallowed what many on the day considered a try and called for a scrum five.

Lawrence added, "After a first 40 minutes when we failed to put any points on the board, we ended that game scoring two tries to their one. There is no doubt in my mind what swung the game in our favour was the experience of the older players.

"No-one's disputing the quality and talent of the youngsters in our squad, but I feel this far into the season and the position we're currently in, it's time to steady the ship and keep a cool head.

"The only way we can do that at present is to bring more of our elder statesman into the side, to both keep our heads above water and create a dynamic which will ultimately be very beneficial to our younger players.

"Next Saturday we face Fleur Dy Lys away, and I think our starting line-up will reflect the lessons learnt on Saturday. It's now time to start grinding out the results in whatever shape or form."

This Sunday coach Gary Lawrence will strive to overcome a long-term calf-injury that has plagued him for the last 12 years, and take his place in the Abergavenny veterans side scheduled to go toe to toe with Cwm at Bailey Park.

Lawrence revealed, "One of my contacts at Cwm has told me that the team have been training hard all summer and not one pint has been dropped.

"It is important that the veterans get a good run-out if they are to keep themselves in contention for a starting place in the first team." Kick-off for the old-timers is at 1.30pm.

On a final note, Abergavenny RFC will also be holding a past players reunion day on November 1 when the first team play Bedlinog at Bailey Park. All are welcome to attend.