Penarth RFC - 12

DESPITE Penarth managing to claw their way back into contention at 12-12 with only ten minutes on the board in last Saturday's friendly at Bailey Park, Abergavenny managed to keep their heads and hold a steady ball to score a point for every one of those minutes as they run out 22-12 winners.

And a pleased Chairman Mike Aylet told the Chronicle, "Whereas last season we'd have probably folded and gifted Penarth the game after they managed to claw their way back to a draw with only ten minutes remaining, this time around our fitness levels showed and the boys bounced back strongly to score a converted try and penalty."

Aylet added, "In fact I don't think we've shown the degree of fitness we showed on Saturday so early in the season before. It really is a cause for optimism."

With a healthy amount of players vying to be in the starting line-up under new coaches Tony Edwards and Mark Fleet come the claret and ambers first Division Three East fixture proper against Rhymney at Bailey Park on September 5, it's looking good for the club who will try to make it three friendly wins out of three when they face BP Landarcy this Saturday, also at Bailey Park.

Aylet explained, "Penarth are not a side to be taken lightly and they definitely came here to win, but I think BP Llandarcy will be more of a test for us.

"What was pleasing about the Penarth game is that we had about five of our regular boys away on holiday, but we still managed to knock out a win.

"Our starting outside half and scrum half were absent for that game, alongside Captain Gareth Williams who sat it out with an injury, but he will definitely be on form in time to play a crucial role in the season to come."

An optimistic Aylet revealed, "There's a lot of strength and depth in the squad at present and I feel there'll be a lot of players with points to prove and positions to secure when we take to the field this Saturday."