Gilfach Goch - 7

DESPITE Saturday's unrelenting rain, the pitch at Bailey Park remained in excellent condition for Abergavenny to stage their debut game in Division Two East against Gilfach Goch.

However, in a low-scoring affair the claret and ambers produced a poor performance to match the equally poor weather according to coach Gary Lawrence.

"It was a case of us simply not adapting to the conditions, and that's why we lost," revealed Lawrence after the game.

"There were a lot of handling errors on the day, and when it's hammering down with rain you don't keep making 20 or 30 yard passes, because it's not going to get you anywhere fast.

"It was also a disappointing start in the sense that we didn't make the most of the opportunities that came our way.

"Now I know in that sort of weather it's never going to be a try fest, but we had numerous opportunities close to the line - such as five yard line-outs - that we should have taken something from. "

After a first-half devoid of points, Gilfach Goch finally stamped their mark on the game with a well-worked converted try.

Lawrence told the chronicle, "Gilfach's try followed on from Matthew George being yellow-carded for a professional foul, but I don't think that had any bearing on it. Gilfach would have probably scored regardless."

It was not until two minutes from the final whistle did wing and man of the match Danny Haymond cross to bring Aber within kicking reach of a draw.

Unfortunately the angle was too fine for a successful conversion and Steve Lang's kick just missed the last window of opportunity in the match.

Lawrence added, "It wasn't the best of beginnings, but the season is still very young. We've got a lot of newcomers on board this time around, so we're still settling as a team.

"We're also playing in a different division that a lot of our players haven't experienced before, and that can take some getting used to.

"Having said that, we've still got a lot of players in our squad from the last time we experienced division two rugby a couple of years ago, so overall I think that as a club we are much better equipped to make an impact this season.

"The simple fact is that if we play the sort of ruby that we produced to get us here, I'm sure we'll make our mark here."

Abergavenny will be looking to stake their claim this Saturday when they face Rhydfelin away.

Coming off the back of a thumping 22-8 defeat at the hands of a freshly relegated Llantrisant, Rhydfelin will also be looking to make amends for a woeful start to the season in what should be a bruising encounter.

Elsewhere, Crickhowell were 15-8 victors at Beaufort in the only surviving fixture in Division Six East.