Bridgend Athletic - 38

ALTHOUGH their last pre-season friendly ended with a defeat, Abergavenny remain confident ahead of their Division Two East campaign which starts with their showdown against Gilfach Gochl at Bailey Park this Saturday.

Coach Gary Lawrence said, "Although we lost to Bridgend Athletic, the match served it's purpose as a solid trial game against a fellow Division Two side.

"On the day we were missing a number of key players such as Matthew George, Ollie Field, and Steve Lang, compared to a Bridgend side that were carrying ten subs.

"However, we started quite well, but our game was disrupted by one or two injuries.

"18-year-old Frank James came on as a young prop, and he was really impressive. He plays very well for someone so young, and will definitely be a name to watch in the future.

"We played Danny Haymond on the left-wing, who has just graduated from youth rugby, and he was one of the best players on the day.

"So overall, against Bridgend, it was a good chance for us to mix things up and get a better idea of the options available to us going into what will be a tough season in Division Two East."

To aid them in their bid to make a healthy impact in a higher division, the claret and ambers have signed a number of new players, including winger Jesse Owers from South Africa who will be joined by a fellow countryman that the club have signed to play in the second row.

Bevan Howells, Kevin Maddox, and Tom Rees are also on board for the coming trials and tribulations that are sure to chart Aber's course over the coming season.

Lawrence added, "From top to bottom the club is looking very healthy at the moment, and confidence is high. We've retained all the players from last season, with the exception of Steve Hamer and James Williams who have told us they are hanging up their boots.

"Williams was a try-scoring machine for us last season, and Hamer has played in just about every position for us over the years. So the two of them will be definitely missed.

"Having said that, Hamer played on Saturday as part of the Veterans side who battled it out with the Quins, in a match where he put himself all over the park and scored the first try.

"Not only that, both Hamer and Williams came on as subs in the game against Bridgend. So although they both say they have 'retired' we'll have to wait and see."

Lawrence also took part in last Saturday's inaugural Veterans game that preceded the Bridgend encounter, and in front of a baying crowd who had turned up for curiosities sake like they were about to witness a freak show, Lawrence and his band of bulky brothers proved too much for the gallant Quins who were put to the sword and lost 31-19.

Lawrence, who was the oldest player on the day revealed, "Ultimately, in the face of our power and experience the youngsters were overwhelmed.

"It was a hugely enjoyable game for both the Quins and the Veterans, but the simple fact is that we outweighed them in all areas.

"I'm sure I speak for everyone at the club, when I say I'm really looking forward to the return match at the end of the season."

The serious business starts for Abergavenny this Saturday when they test their mettle against

Gilfach Gochl at Bailey Park with a 2.30pm kick-off.