Abergavenny RFC - 41

Talywain RFC - 13

THE clarets vented their disappointment at losing to Talywain in the league (16-17) by smashing them with seven tries when the two clubs met in the SWALEC Plate competition on Saturday.

It took only four minutes for Aber to open their account. Speedster full back Will Williams gathered from deep and split the Talywain defence for a great solo try, converted by outside half Rhodri Webster, 7-0.

Ten minutes later a clearance close to the visitor's line was charged down by scrum half Lewis Evans and the ball bobbled over the try line for Evans to dive on, 12-0.

Two minutes later Will Williams sprinted into the Talywain 22 and was sandwiched between two tacklers but still managed to release the ball to Stuart Davies at centre who scored beneath the posts, converted by Webster, 19-0.

Two of the established back row were out injured so CJ Woodhouse and Rudi Lewis stepped up from the Quins to play blindside and openside respectively. Both players gave impressive displays' of defence with Lewis's fitness evident around the field with several carries and his work at the tail of the lineout.

The closing stages of the first half gave Aber cause to concern as Talywain came back with two tries and a penalty to bring the first half to a close with the home side leading, 19-13.

Within a minute of the restart Aber were on the attack again. Webster set up second row Rhys Willard for a 20 metre gallop. Willard fed Owen Staphnill who was hit by three tacklers at once as he crossed the line and flipped on his back like a turtle and failed to ground the ball.

From the five yard scrum Aber span the ball to one touch line and then the other. Outside Centre Nathan Byrne drove for the line but was held a yard short. Frank James playing second row picked and drove over to score, 24-13.

Stuart Davies started and finished the next try as a loose kick was run back at the visitors. From half way he passed out to Ian Davies on the wing who chipped the ball through. Stuart Davies in support dribbled the ball over the line and dropped on it for a try, 19-13.

Talywain returned to the tactics that won them the league game by kicking to the corners and using their heavy forwards to force the ball over. This time Aber's defence and scrum was prepared and despite losing number eight Paul Cornock to the sin bin they held firm during a ten minute onslaught from the visitors.

From a defending scrum five yards from their line and directly under the posts Aber's Rudi Lewis stripped the ball from the Talywain number eight and set up the counter attack as he passed to Cornock who fed Sandy Aitken at full back.

A long pass to Ian Davies gave the winger space to run in to score from seventy yards out to put the tie beyond doubt, 34-13.

From the restart Aber attacked again led by a thirty yard run by Rhys Willard supported by sub Louigi Ocampo, who drew the last man and released Stuart Davies to canter in for his hat-trick, converted by Webster.

Next week Aber are away in league action at Newport High School Old Boys who lie third in the table.