Talywain RFC - 28

Abergavenny RFC - 19

Abergavenny returned to league action after a long Christmas break with a short trip to Talywain, where their first defeat of 2017 welcomed them with open arms.

Aber were able to select a fairly settled team with Curtis Price Gareth Williams and Jamie Knight in the front row, Dan Morris and Dan Horler in the second row and John Hockey and Rudi Lewis joining Captain Josh Davies in the back row.

Rob Conick and Jacob Buttler were at half back, Nathan Byrne returned from a recent illness to partner Gareth Beavan in the centre, and the back three was made up of Will Williams, Dan Dunmore and Josh Parr.

The home side looked they had eaten less turkey dinners than the Aber boys, and started the game much sharper, scoring a try very quickly from a driving line out, and further increasing their lead with a penalty.

This seem to stir Genny into Action and a strong run out of defence by center Gareth Beavan took play into the home 22 where Aber were able to put several phases of play together, eventually resulting in Rudi Lewis scoring.

Aber’s defence was eventually breached and Talywain increased their lead with a converted try.

From the restart, the home side played all the rugby and a converted try saw them end the half 18-5.

Abergavenny started the second half playing more rugby and applying the pressure but against the run of play Talywain got into Aber’s 22 and from a powerful scrum were awarded a penalty try.

At 25-5 the game looked all over, but Abergavenny bought on replacements Josh Hitchman, Dan Beavan, and Ryan Joyce, and with the home team starting to tire Abergavenny began to play.

Buttler made a lovely break on half way before passing to Gareth Beavan who ran 40 metres to score under the posts, converted by Josh Parr.

Aber now looked like a different team and went straight back on the attack with some terrific hard driving play, especially from Hitchman and captain Davies, taking play right to the home team’s try line.

The pressure eventually told when Dan Horler squeezed over for a try, converted by Parr, to put the score at 25-19.

It was now game on and Abergavenny threw everything at the home side, but to their credit, Talywain defended extremely well and managed to get out of their own half and kick a penalty to secure the 28-19 win.

Next Saturday the first team have no game but the Quins have a cup game away at Gwernyfed. The bus will leave the club at 12.45pm approximately. All support will be much appreciated .