Abertillery - 11

DESPITE having a golden opportunity to win the game in the final minute with a last ditch penalty, Abergavenny's kick just shaved the posts and they returned from Abertillery with the narrowest of defeats to reflect upon.

The Bailey Park brigade travelled to the picturesque Abertillery Park hoping to build on their opening game of the season and introduced a number of changes to last week's side.

In the pack a previously unavailable captain Tom Ree returned at open side flanker and youth prop Ryan Morgan stepped up due to the enforced absence of Owen Staphnill through a hand injury.

In the backs Jack Flower dropped to full back from centre and James Spooner filled the outside centre slot.

The home side contained former Ospreys and Dragons outside half, 34-year-old Sean Connor, who was returning to the club where he began his career as a youth player.

Both sides were very evenly matched in all departments with the visitors having the edge in the lineout courtesy of the towering figure of Rhys Willard.

The game was blighted throughout by many un-enforced errors and the scrum count was high - with many penalties stemming from technical offences within the scrum itself. This disrupted the fluency of the game and made for frustrating viewing.

The home side were reduced to 14 men after 15 minutes after their winger was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul.

Abergavenny took advantage of the extra man and scored first 20 minutes in. Wing Ian Davies seized upon a ball from a loose pass by the home side and with his opposite wing in the bin there was insufficient cover to catch him as he sprinted down the tram lines to score a try, converted by outside half Rhodri Webster, 0-7.

It looked like the visitors had scored another try after Will Williams was clear and heading for the posts, the ref brought him back to award Abergavenny a penalty, leaving supporters wondering why he had not played advantage.

Within three minutes the home side had reduced the deficit with a penalty to make it 3-7. Just before the break the clarets restored their lead with a penalty kick from Webster, 3-10.

The front row of Brian Wright (tight), Gareth Williams (hooker) and Ryan Morgan (loose) had a tough afternoon but slowly were getting on top of their opposite numbers as the visiting pack drove them of their own ball on a few occasions.

Young Morgan will have added to his education enormously and gave a good account of himself.

Having won good ball the supporters and coaches wanted to see the backs make good use of it, but an annoyingly high number of handling errors were made alongside missed opportunities to gain overlaps, field position, and territory .

The home side began the second half with determination and took the game to Abergavenny. Within four minutes of the restart they conjured a try in the corner from a centre. They missed the conversion and Abergavenny still held a slender lead, 8-10.

With 10 minutes to go the home side were awarded a penalty out wide on the 10 yard line. Their confident kicker gave a mighty boot and it sealed through the posts with yards to spare giving the home side the lead for the first time, 11-10.

Abergavenny steadily made progress from the kick off into the home side's half and in the final minute of the game were awarded a penalty. Alas, Webster shaved the posts with the kick and the spoils went to the home side.

Despite a bonus point in defeat Abergavenny will view this game as one they should have won and will rue missed opportunities. It was pleasing to see a solid defence and if they can build upon their solid forward platform and attacking prowess out wide then this season can offer them some treats.

Next week is food festival week and a full Bailey Park will see Aber entertain local rivals Pontypool Utd, who are tipped to be title contenders.