Pontypool United 9

CONSTANT rain over the preceding 24 hours and limited potential remaining in the season to reschedule this league fixture that had already been postponed once due to a waterlogged pitch, forced the decision to switch Aber's Friday evening game against Ponty to Bailey Park.

In the earlier season's fixture, Ponty had won comfortably despite being 20 points down at half time. Aber were in no mood for a repeat performance.

In a rare floodlit match at Bailey Park the sodden conditions dictated play despite both teams trying to play some running rugby.

A sticky pitch and a greasy ball were always going to turn this into a forward orientated game for the purist. The referee made no allowances for the conditions and there were many stoppages due to unforced errors.

The teams traded penalties early with scrum half James Harris kicking for Aber and the visitors adding a further penalty to take the score to 3-6.

Kicking was crucial and whichever half backs controlled the possession better were likely to come out on top. A few early crunching tackles from centres Nathan Byrne and James Spooner signalled Aber's statement of intent.

The games only try came from a lineout on the Ponty 22 and giant lock Dan Horler fed the ball off the top in the middle of the line to Harris who fed Rhodri Webster at outside half and in what seemed a rehearsed training paddock move he fed inside to number eight Paul Cournock on the charge. This split the defence and Cournock breezed over to score near the posts converted by Harris, 10-6.

A third penalty for the visitors took the half time score to 10-9.  

The second half became a stop start affair as the rain continued to fall and the forwards had to slog it out. Former Abergavenny player Matthew Price was guesting on permit from Crickhowell and had a fine game at lock making his presence felt in the tight and loose with a number of bullocking runs.

Sensibly, scrum half Harris and outside half Webster played the conditions perfectly kicking possession intelligently into space and keeping their pack going forward thus controlling territory for almost the entire second half. With territory and possession come pressure and two further penalties from Harris secured the victory for Aber, 16-9.

Abergavenny First XV coach Howard Davies told the Chronicle, "The win against Pontypool United in atrocious conditions was a result of physical dominance at the set piece, the aggression of the Abergavenny players in defence and great control from the half backs. It would be wrong to highlight any one player for special mention, every player, including the bench fully contributed to the win.

"I would also like to take this opportunity on behalf of everyone at Abergavenny RFC to thank Mark Fleet for his work over the last number of years as head coach. Mark has had to stand down due to work and personal commitments; his contribution to the club has been significant and we hope he will be involved in the future."

This Saturday Aber entertain Gwernyfed at Bailey Park. kick off is at 2.30pm.