RIsca RFC - 18

Abergavenny RFC - 20

FOLLOWING the despondency everybody at the club house and across Wales felt after the national side's exit from the World cup, Abergavenny travelled to Risca in the afternoon hoping to salvage a reason to be cheerful.

Gareth Williams returned at hooker and Tom Rees at open side to bolster the pack, with Owen Staphnil moving to prop and Frank James at tight head.

Steve Coles and Rhys Willard formed the second row and Josh Hitchman and Paul Cornock completed the back row.

The backs welcomed Ian Davies back at wing for the injured Will Williams, and Joe Powell (wing) and Ryan Williams joined him in the back three. James Harris and Jack Flower played in half back positions and Caleb Gray and Captain Stuart Davies slotted in at centre to complete a strong and experienced team sheet.

The home side applied early pressure and were gifted the first score after Stuart Davies lost the ball in contact and it fell gratefully into the arms of the Risca outside centre who ran in from 30 yards. The following conversion gave Risca a 7-0 lead.

Aber reduced the deficit with a penalty from James Harris to make it 7-3 and Aber grew in confidence as the half progressed.

Cornock enjoyed a fine game at the base of the scrum, carrying at every opportunity to take pressure off his scrum half and make yards.

His opposite number did not enjoy such success due to the hounding from fellow back rowers Tom Rees and Josh Hitchman.

Aber displayed more desire to run at the opposition with better quality passing, possession and tactical kicking. A glut of possession was supplied to the backs via Rhys Willard in the line out.

It was through the pack Aber opened their try count. From a lineout on the home 22 they secured ball and drove the full distance to the line before Frank James emerged with the ball to score his second try in as many games. A long conversion from Harris took the score to 7-10.

On the stroke of half time the home side drew level with a 40 yard penalty.

The third quarter of the game saw Aber in the ascendancy with backs and forwards linking well together putting pressure on Risca who yielded another penalty for Harris to convert, 10-13.

Defence deep in Aber's 22 was turned into attack after the ball was turned over and Flower fed Powell on the wing. Sensing a counter attack was on, Powell rounded his opposite number and sprinted towards the 10 yard line, looked up and launched a speculative kick into Risca's 22 in front of their posts.

The only coverer was a second row forward who fell on the ball but failed to secure it. Powell hacked the ball forward and it bounced into his arms for him to score next to the posts, converted by Harris to give Aber a 10 point lead, 10-20.

The home side seemed determined to fight back and Aber spent the final quarter resolutely defending. They did ship several penalties and Risca converted one to set up a gripping finale'.

Captain Davies was warned by the referee that the penalty count was growing against them and finally lost patience with Paul Cornock and dispatched him to the bin with five minutes remaining.

This spurred the home side on seeking a converted try to bring them a draw. They were rewarded after stretching Aber's defence to score in the corner in the last move of the game. The conversion would determine the outcome. Thankfully for the visitors it was too far out and its failure gave Aber a solid victory.

Next week Aber hope to build on their run of victories away at local rivals Brynmawr, kick-off is 2.30pm.