Abergavenny RFC - 24

Nantyglo RFC - 22

ON a beautiful spring afternoon Abergavenny welcomed league leaders Nantyglo to Bailey Park and in an entertaining match just outshone the Glo by two points.

The home side were forced to make a few changes due to injuries and unavailability. Luke Williams returned to the second row, and CJ Woodhouse and Ted Williams came into the back row. Lewys Evans took over at scrum half and Dan Haymond replaced the injured Dan Smith at centre. Abergavenny started the game playing a very structured pattern and seemed to be keeping the ball with ease but a long kick out of defence was caught by the Nantyglo fullback whose strong running broke through several dubious tackles and eventually gained Nantyglo a lineout five metres from the Abergavenny line.

From the resulting lineout Nantyglo's forwards put extreme pressure on the Abergavenny line which eventually resulted in a converted try.

From the restart Abergavenny responded immediately with excellent interplay between backs and forwards, and quick simple hands enabled winger Dan Dunmore to score in the corner.

Aber followed up shortly after with a Danny Haymond penalty and continued to apply the pressure as winger Lloyd Holder put a neat chip kick through which was gathered by the ever present Dan Horler to score, converted by Haymond.

Not to be outdone, Nantyglo scored a converted try of their own following a well-executed set piece.

Aber ended the half with a further penally by Haymond, 18-14.

After the interval Nantyglo notched things up a gear putting Abergavenny under periods of sustained pressure.

Abergavenny's good discipline of recent weeks now seemed to abandon them and the home side found themselves reduced to firstly 14 men and then 13 men for yellow card offences.

Nantyglo took full advantage of their numerical supremacy and their pressure was eventually rewarded with a close range try giving them a 22-21 lead with eight minutes remaining.

The away team and supporters sensed they had the game won but Abergavenny now with a full compliment back on the field had other ideas and launched attack after attack.

With a minute and a half left Abergavenny were eventually rewarded with a penalty 35 metres out to the right of the post. Dan Haymond struck the ball well but it sailed agonising left of the upright. All of Nantyglo's supporters now thought the game was over but the referee insisted that there were still 40 seconds left to play.

It was at this point that the Nantyglo number eight had a rush of blood and attempted a quick drop out, the ball did not cross the 22 yard line so the home side were awarded one last scrum. Abergavenny's pack summoned every last ounce of strength secured the ball and drove the Nantyglo pack back towards their line. The referee spotted an infringement and awarded Abergavenny a penalty in front of the posts. Danny Haymond stepped forward with massive pressure on his shoulders to coolly slot the ball through the uprights to give Abergavenny the victory.

Next Saturday Abergavenny are away to Newport High School Old Boys. kick off is 2.30pm.