Pill Harriers - 41

Abergavenny RFC - 26

ABERGAVENNY'S penultimate game of this season's campaign was an entertaining and very open affair at Pill Harriers.

Pill were still chasing the Division Three East title yet showed great respect for Aber who they knew were capable of threatening their ambitions.

Aber's front row of Owen Staphnill, Gareth Williams and Frank James were supported in the second row by line out aces Dan Horler and Rhys Willard. 

A strong back row of Paul Cornock at number and Sean Buck (blind side) and Josh Hitchman (open side) gave Aber hope of securing plenty of ball.

Changes from last week saw Sandy Aitken and Kieran Skinner playing at half back, Gareth Bevan and captain Stuart Davies at centre and wings Ian Davies and Will Williams were supported by versatile Dragons academy player Josh Guy at full back.

Pill started strongly and took an early lead with two tries setting up what looked like a long afternoon for the visitors, but Aber had not turned up to roll over and their forwards stood up and matched the home eight pound for pound and inch for inch.

From a scrum on the half way line the ball was fed to wing Ian Davies who chipped inside and the ball bobbled on the home 22 and fell into the arms of the advancing Josh Hitchman, who handed off two tacklers for a strong run to the try line for a well worked score, converted by Josh Guy.

The pack were playing well as a unit and minutes later from a scrum in the same position they set of on attack again.

This time Stuart Davies was the foil and Josh Guy the rapier who came into the line beating three defenders before feeding Will Williams inside. Williams was joined by the pack who drove him towards the line. In the melee, last week's hat trick hero Frank James, popped up with the ball again and scored from short range, converted by Guy to give Aber the lead, 12-14.

Pill came back strongly and from a scrum in Aber's 22 their number eight picked up, ran blind and strode unchallenged for a try. He was to prove their danger man throughout the game. The conversion gave Pill a 19-12 half time lead.

The second half began with Pill scoring another try to make it 24-12.

Following a strong period of play from Aber, a loose ball was seized upon by Josh Guy and he dived over for a try he converted to bring the visitors back into the game.

Unfortunately, two more Pill tries in quick succession made it 36-19 and took the game beyond Aber's reach.

Although Aber were down they were not yet out and young centre Gareth Bevan who had impressed all game with his tackling and handling received a crash ball from a five yard scrum and he split the defence to score near the posts, converted by Guy, 36-24.

The final word came from the home side who closed their account with another surge from a scrum by their number eight who wrapped up proceedings with a flourish.

It all ends this Saturday for Aber who close the season with an away fixture at Pontypool United. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.