Blaenavon RFC - 22

Risca RFC - 8

Blaenavon welcomed Risca to the Recreation on Saturday and during a bitterly cold afternoon brought home the bacon and a bonus point win.

Playing up the slope. Blaenavon started well with a good solid pack performance, and some clever probing kicks by scrum half Ryan Bates. A ten yard line-out and a pitch perfect throw by Dan Horseman saw Blaenavon drive to the Risca line for Matthew Billings to touch down his own perfect catch.

Blaenavon spent long periods in the Cuckoo's half but good defence kept them at bay and from a rare Risca breakout their fullback was put away for a breakaway try in the corner to make the score all square after 25 minutes.

Blaenavon kept plugging at the Risca line with big runs from Sam Cook and Lewis John but unforced errors led to a Risca penalty which they slotted over, 8-5.

The second half started at a cracking pace with the lighter Blaenavon pack well on top. Good work from the back row of Wayne Redman, Callum Davis and Chris Jones saw a ready supply of ball to half backs Ryan Bates and Darren Pearce, who kept the Blaenavon momentum going.

A good run and carry by centre Dan Phillips put scrum half Ryan Bates clear for a well worked try, converted by Dan Phillips, 12-8.

Dominating the rucks and mauls, Blaenavon took the game to Risca at every opportunity and good good interplay by Rhys lewis and Rhys Long allowed full back Gareth Jones to hit the line splitting the Cuckoo's defence and score a great try, 17-8.

Not to be outdone right winger Matthew Powell capitalised on a Dan Phillips kick ahead to gather, wrestle and side step his way over for Blaenavon's fourth try and bonus point

Blaenavon spent the last ten minutes camped in the Risca half pinning them down in the corner and closing their game down, until the whistle blew and Blaenavon claimed their bonus point win.

Next week Blaenavon are away to league high flyers Rhiwbina in Cardiff where they will look to avenge the 25-11 defeat Rhiwbina dished out earlier this season. Kick-off is at 2pm.