Cardiff Harlequins - 26

BLAENAVON did well to win their first game of 2015 against a visiting Cardiff Harlequins outfit.

Bolstered by the return of Matthew Billings in the second row who returned after a prolonged injury, it was obvious from the start of the game that the conditions were going to play a major part in the game.

Some poor defensive play by Blaenavon and a speculative kick saw Quins winger D. Franklin

score in the corner, 0-5.

Darren Pearce did well to land a penalty from 35 metres out and from a driving line out Jamie Nobel crashed over to score Blaenavon's first try, converted by Pearce.

From a quick tap penalty Quins put in another speculative kick to the corner and D. Franklin scored the second try of his hat trick which P. Addams converted to make it 12-10 to the Quins.

From a scrum against the head Quins broke the Blaenavon defence to put Franklin In for his third try of the game. Addams converted, 19-10.

The Quins had Blaenavon in disarray and a quick, crisp pass split the Blaenavon defence and allowed Fitzpatrick to score under the post for the visitors forth try and bonus point, 26-10.

Blaenavon now needed to front up if this wasn't going to be a rout. Sam Evans, Lewis John and Wayne Redman put in the tackles and Jamie Nobel and Chris Baldwin drove the Blaenavon Pack forward allowing Ryan Bates at scrum half to score a individual try after some fantastic solo play which Darren Pearce converted to reduce the deficit to 26-17 at half time.

The second half started well for Blaenavon with the wind in their favour they took full advantage and a hopeless clearance kick by the Quins, was charged down by centre Scott Creese who gathered to score under the posts. Pearce converted to put Blaenavon right back in the game at 26-24.

From a great break by Pearce, Blaenavon were awarded a five metre scrum, Blaenavon moved the ball well and flying winger Matthew Powell was put clear to score in the corner and put Blaenavon in the lead for the first time, 29-26.

The last five minutes saw Cardiff attacks from everywhere and it was only sure fire Blaenavon defence and a try saving tackle from Scott Creese that saw the home side finish victorious in what was a great game in bad conditions .

Next week will see Blaenavon home again at the recreation ground against Rumney Cardiff ,where they hope to avenge their narrow away defeat against them at the Start of the season. Kick-off is 2.30pm.