Abergavenny RFC - 5

Pontypool United - 31

ABERGAVENNY'S last away game of the season failed to catch fire beneath the baking hot Easter skies and any hopes of a memorable victory was quickly turned to ashes by Pontypool United.

The tie was effectively a dead rubber for both teams as neither could be promoted or relegated but Pontypool United's form of late had outshone that of the visitors.

Aber again had to reshuffle the back line with another vacant berth at the cursed outside half spot. This week deputising was the talented Jack Flower, traditionally an inside centre. 

Inside him was John Paxton at scrum half and outside him was Ed Davies and Will Johnstone at centre. Andy Watson and Youth captain Lloyd Holder were wings and Sandy Aitken played at full back.

Prop is another area where Aber have struggled to find consistency this season. Yet another combination of experienced Coach Tony Edwards and young Jamie Knight were this week's choice.

Hooker Gareth Williams captained the boat and in the powerhouse was the ever-present Steve Coles and key line out specialist Rhys Willard. The usual suspects filled the back row of Paul Cornock at eight with Alex Gethin (blindside) and Josh Hitchman (openside).

This was a day when both sides were happy to run the ball on a bone hard pitch and Aber began with intent.

Flower attacked with ball in hand, chipping the first line of defence and gathering to feed Holder on his wing who fed back inside to Johnstone but he was tackled short and the ball cleared by the defence.

Ponty took the ball deep into Aber's half and after determined defence and several drives the line was eventually breached with a short inside pass to the outside half from five yards to score under the posts, converted (7-0).

Aber were under much pressure at the scrum from the home eight and this caused them to lose a lot of territory throughout the game.

The loss of Flower briefly for a blood injury forced a reshuffle of the back line and as a consequence Ponty caught the defence cold with a long cross field kick to their wing who gathered and scored unopposed (12-0).

Matters were further exacerbated with the loss of Paul Cornock with a suspected broken nose, which was acquired by accident from the head of his own number seven.

Such mere flesh wounds do not normally stop rugby players, but Cornock was bleeding heavily and contaminating the field of play. He was replaced by Jonathan Hockey.

Although down, Aber were playing with spirit and confidence despite having a run of defeats behind them. Flower in particular was showing his versatility as a back and what a footballer he is, slotting in at outside half well and showing superb tackling prowess.

Ponty however were also intent on running the ball and they caught Aber on the hop with their full back scored under the posts from 30 yards out. The conversion gave the homeside a 19-0 half time lead.

Aber began the second half the stronger of the two sides. The forwards carried the ball well with Steve Coles and Josh Hitchman prominent. They were rewarded with a penalty that took them to a five yard lineout. The take from Willard and subsequent drive saw Hockey score (19-5).

The visitors were giving Ponty a real game but United recovered from the sustained assault and gathered their composure to score two further tries through the power of their pack - both from the base of scrums on Aber's five yard line.

Despite the scoreline of 31-5, the game was a lot closer and Aber will be more happier with their performance compared to those of recent weeks.

Aber's testing season will draw to a close next Saturday when they entertain league runners up Garniffaith at Bailey Park. Kick-off is at 2.30pm. Why not pop along to see if some of Aber's 'best' really has been saved till' 'last'.