Newport HSOB - 14

THERE are not many rugby clubs in Wales that can boast of having their First XV, Reserve side and Youth side sitting pretty on top of their respective league tables but that is exactly where Abergavenny's three sides find themselves at this moment in time.

The Quins and Youth are in the best position to win their leagues whilst the first's need Fleur-Dy-Lys to slip up in their remaining games in hand for a shot at the Division Three East title.

All Aber can do is to keep winning and winning well like they did against Newport HSOB in Caerleon on the weekend.

Aber sported some changes of personnel in the pack with James Williams at number eight, Paul Cornock at Blindside and Stuart Sherrard at Openside whilst in the engine room Lee Oakey was absent and Alex Gethin deputising.

A scrappy opening quarter saw both sides miss penalty opportunities. The ref warned both sides for holding on in the tackle area and it was Aber Fullback Ryan Williams who felt his wrath at the next breakdown for the same offence and he was sent to the 'naughty step' having been shown a yellow card.

HSOB went for a lineout from the penalty and a series of rucks from this enabled their forwards to drive over for a try that was converted to give the home side a 7-0 lead.

From the restart Aber exerted pressure and within two minutes equalled the try count with a fine solo score from outside centre Stuart Davies who burst through the midfield out pacing several would be tacklers to score, 7-5.

Indiscipline continued from the visitors and soon after the restart Aber were reduced to 13 men as Alex Gethin handled in a ruck and was dispatched by the ref to join his colleague on the touchline. Within a minute they were joined by a HSOB lock shown a yellow for being offside.

The homeside, as was now common with Aber's opponents, seemed intent on depriving the visitors backs the ball in favour of 'stuff it up your shirt' eight man rugby.

Aber showed the homeside that if they wanted that type of game they could resort to it with success. A penalty on the HSOB 10-yard line saw Danny Haymond drive the ball into the corner. From the lineout Aber took and drove 10 yards with James Williams at the tail to score, and aided by a Haymond conversion to take the lead going into the interval.

The second half began with HSOB putting pressure on Aber and regaining territory in the visitors' half. Aber won turnover ball 60-yards out and the backs suddenly had opportunity to show their running skills. Ed Davies fed Haymond who fed Ryan Williams who straightened the line and kept the home defence honest. He released flyer Will Williams who took the ball to the five yard line before throwing a speculative pass to fellow wing Ian Davies in support to gather and score in the corner, 7-17.

Minutes later with Aber now in the ascendancy they were awarded a free kick on the HSOB 22. This was tapped to number eight Williams who drove into the heart of the home defence. Quick ball saw a second drive from Prop Owen Staphnil and further quick ball from James Harris at scrum half unleashed the backs. The ball was fed to Ryan Williams out wide who drew the defence and at the point he was about to be tackled cheekily threw a pass behind his back that found Will Williams in support for the bonus point try converted by Haymond, 7-24.

The home side reverted to type and tried to walk the ball over the line through their heavy pack but the visitors' defence was resolute.

Outside half Haymond on two successive ocassions saved two tries by getting his body under the would be scorer to prevent grounding. At a third attempt he drove the big HSOB number eight Backwards by tackling him low in an excellent example of the solid Aber defence.

Aber now were attempting some champagne rugby but some loose passing gave a Newport winger an opportunity to intercept and score in the corner.

However, it was too late in the day for Newport to bounce back as they paid the price of many sides this season who have tried harder to stop Abergavenny playing than trying to play rugby themselves.

Aber will now finish their league campaign with three home games at Bailey Park. The first is next Saturday at home to Pontypool Utd, KO 2.30pm.