Blaenavon started the new season with a warm up match against Championship side Pontypool RFC.

Who travelled to Blaenavon’s recreation ground on a warm August day for an entertaining match with a good Eastern valley crowd in attendance, both side looked a little rusty from the long layoff but it was Blaenavon who looked the better side in the first Quarter, coming close to driving Pooler over their own line on several occasions, only to be saved by the odd mistake by Blaenavon.

This continued well into the second quarter with the dominant Blaenavon pack in the ascendancy it was only a matter of time before Blaenavon broke the Pooler line, this came from a well worked try with full back Richard Dennington coming into the line to put winger Nathan Brooks over in the corner for a well deserved unconverted try which saw Blaenavon 5 Pontypool 0 the half time score

The second half saw Pontypool coming into their own with some good phases of forwards and backs play Pooler eventually opened their account, with a try by hooker and captain-for-the-day Jamie Jeune to the left of the posts, converted by full back Clayton Gullis (7-5).

Soon after, replacement centre Ben Madgwick made a lovely break in midfield and linked up with his support and replacement wing Josh Hurley crossed in the right corner for a try which was converted by Gullis

Blaenavon bounced straight back, with a few attempts at scoring in the corner only to be held up a yard short, by stout Pooler Defence, but eventually the home side scored a good try with the Blaenavon Pack driving the scrummage the scrum half passing to outside half Bevan Howells who went blind and crossed the Pontypool line un opposed, this was converted by Dan Phillips for Blaenavon to take the lead 14-12 on the hour mark.

Pooler responded well and scored their third try of the afternoon when replacement prop Will Guy crossed to the right of the posts. Gullis added the extras for a final score of Blaenavon 12 Pontypool 21.

Next week Blaenavon continue their countdown towards the beginning of the season with another warm up game against Abercwmboi at the Recreation Ground Blaenavon next Saturday with an earlier 1pm pm kick off