ABERGAVENNY RFC have continued to show both points and promise during the build-up to their coming tenure in Division Two East, with back-to-back wins in their pre-season friendlies against Hereford (14-5) and Carerleon (54-12).

Although Caerleon lie three leagues below Abergavenny, it was was a good performance from a combined Abergavenny senior squad, with a handful of young players getting a run-out and showing their potential.

Wing Danny Haymond in his first season out of youth rugby scored a hat-trick with one exceptional effort from 75 yards.

Haymond is a product of the club's mini and junior sections who has returned to the club after a spell with Pontypool Utd Youth.

Openside flanker Tom Rees also had a solid game in his second season out of youth rugby.

Another product of Aber's mini and junior sections 18-year-old Frank James started at tighthead, and has just signed back to the club from Abertillery youth.

An older and slightly more gnarled Owen Staphnell also stepped up from his usual Hooker position to play his first game at loosehead.

Two giant second rows in Aber's game against Hereford came in the shape of Lewis Smith and Daniel Horler who have both been at the club for 10 years already and are again just out of youth.

Overall, Abergavenny's mini and junior 'sausage factory' is producing great prospects for the future success of the club, and no doubt a number of other players making the graduation from youth rugby will have their chance to shine throughout the coming season.

There are one or two other exciting prospects at outside half who have joined the senior squad. They are Bevan Howells formerly of Talywain Youth, and Kevin Maddox, who has previously played for Newport Saracens.

Add all this new blood to the old heads and experience of last season's squad and things are looking rosy for the claret and ambers ahead of their first game of the season against Gilfach Gochl at Bailey Park.

Next Saturday spells the first true test for Aber as they take on Division Two West's Bridgend Athletic in the last of their pre-season friendlies, before their Division Two trial by fire begins in earnest.