Abergavenny RFC - 12

Blaenavon RFC - 26

ABERGAVENNY have made an early exit from the Welsh Cup after coming unstuck in their own back garden at the hands of local rivals Blaenavon.

Prior to Saturday's fixture at Bailey Park, the visitors from Division One had yet to win a match this season, but the team from the other side of the Blorenge made no mistake about putting the clarets to the sword.

Abergavenny's side had a youthful but settled look about it with Owen Staphnil coming back into the front row, joining Ieuan James and Ryan Morgan. Bradley Williams made his debut for the senior side joining Dan Holler in the second row. The back row consisted of Dan Beavan, Mark Squirrel and Ted Williams. Young Rob Conick continued at nine, partnered by Rhodri Webster. Gareth Beavan and Dan Smith once again made up the centre partnership. Dan Dunmore returned from injury to take up his place on the wing Stuart Davies came back into the side at fullback and Wil Williams occupied the other wing position.

Abergavenny played up the slope in the first half and for the first five minutes looked very confident with the ball in hand, but when Blaenavon's Scott Creese outstripped his cover man to run the length of the field, speedy winger Matthew Powell was on hand to finish a well worked try, converted by outside half Darren Pearce.

From the restart the Blaenavon pack were in fine form, driving at pace and setting up good platforms for scrum half Rhys Long to release the running backs who were happy to run at their opposition. Inevitably Gareth Jones broke the tackle to score another Blaenavon try after 15 minutes, converted by Pearce, 14-0, to leave the Bailey Park brigade shell-shocked.

The young Abergavenny side composed themselves and started to play some controlled and attractive rugby. Abergavenny's scrum began to exert serious pressure on the Blaenavon eight and after several close range scrums and mauls Bradley Williams scored a debut try for Abergavenny.

From the restart Aber again pressed Blaenavon but a very speculative pass was picked off by Blaenavon's speedy winger Matthew Powell who run 50 metres at the Abergavenny backs, beating all the cover tackles, to score a superb individual try. Darren Pearce slotted over to make it 21 -5.

Abergavenny once again bounced back and after a number of scrums on the Blaenavon five yard line the referee eventually lost patience with the Blaenavon front row and yellow carded the Blaenavon tight head. To the dismay of the Abergavenny side and their supporters, Blaenavon opted to go for passive scrums and Abergavenny's most potent attacking weapon was nullified.

Blaenavon's tight head returned to the field but Aber's dominance in the scrum once again put the home side on the front foot, but with Owen Staphnil giving his opposite number a torrid time, an injury to a member of the Blaenavon front row resulted in the scrums going passive once again and ending the game as a true contest.

Abergavenny continued to pressurise the Blaenavon line, albeit through passive scrums, and managed to score a second try by Dan Holler, converted by Rhodri Webster leaving the score 21-12.

Abergavenny continued to run the ball at every opportunity but little errors at crucial times prevented them from scoring again. As the game drew to an end Blaenavon's backs who had been decisive and clinical throughout the game broke the Abergavenny defence, with Matthew Billings scoring a well worked try in the corner, 26-12.

With ten minutes to go Abergavenny threw everything into attack and it took a superb cover tackle by Scott Creese and three in a row tackles from Dan Phillips to keep Abergavenny out. Chris Jones turned the ball over to allow Blaenavon to clear their line and win the game.

Next week Abergavenny travel to Pontypool United. The bus will leave at 12.30pm and all supporters are welcome. Meanwhile, Blaenavon entertain local neighbours Garndiffaith RFC at the recreation ground for what promises to be another thrilling local derby encounter. Kick-off 2.30pm.