Blackwood RFC - 15

Blaenavon RFC - 13

Blaenavon travelled to Blackwood on Saturday in the sunshine, hoping for their first away win of the season and for the want of two points they could have had their heart’s desire in the bag.

Starting well, Blaenavon soon had the giant Blackwood pack pinned down in their own 22 from a driving line-out.

The failed to capitalise and in doing so set the tone for the match. Blackwood determined to spoil any Blaenavon possession by fair means or foul and the referee had his work cut out in maintaining the flow of the game.

Blackwood slotted over a penalty to make it 3-0 against the run of play and Blaenavon were back on the attack when scrum half Ryan Bates intercepted a Blackwood pass and fed winger Luke challenger who was bundled into touch five yards from the Blackwood line.

The Blaenavon back three of fullback Darren Pearce and wingers Dan Morgan and Nicky Williams looked sharp and were soon running out of defence to attack Blackwood at every opportunity.

The ref soon had enough of Blackwood’s spoiling tactics and yellow carded their centre, from the resulting penalty Darren Pearce slotted over, 3-3.

Despite having Blackwood on the ropes on several occasions causing them to cough up penalties, Blaenavon elected to go for line outs rather than kicks which cost them dear. The score remained 3-3 at half-time.

The second half saw a resurgent Blackwood pack turn the screws, but some great breaks by Ryan Bates and Nicky Williams provided Blaenavon momentum, and from one such kick and chase, Luke Challenger crossed in the corner for Blaenavon’s first try,

Next it was Blackwood’s turn to split the Blaenavon defence and score a well worked try, converted, to make it 10-8.

Not to be outdone Blaenavon drove to the corner and a well drilled rolling maul saw Chris “ Slogger” Baldwin cross for Blaenavon’s second try, 13-10.

With the conversion missed it seemed like a slender lead for such a big effort and alas it was Blackwood that mustered a final assault to crash over in the corner with a minute on the clock,15-13.

As the final whistle blew Blaenavon were left to ponder the difference between pressure and points, and the whimsical nature of missed opportunities.

Next week Blaenavon are at home to Bedlinog. Kick-off is at 2-30pm.