Nelson RFC - 28

Blaenavon RFC - 13

Blaenavon travelled to Nelson on Saturday, looking for their third win in a row but fate decided otherwise.

Blaenavon started well and drove deep into the Nelson half at every opportunity, but the visitors’ poor tackling allowed Nelson to counter and draw first blood with a well constructed try which they converted to make it 7-0 after 15 minutes.

The score galvanized Blaenavon, and after several big runs by Jamie Noble, Matthew Billings, Owen Howells and Wayne Redman, Nelson were beginning to weaken.

Blaenavon’s flying wing Dan Morgan made a darting run and fed Ryan Bates who passed to the ever present Blaine Meek for the try. Darren Pearce added the conversion to make it all square.

Pearce slotted over a penalty soon after to make it 10-7, but from the restart it was Nelson’s turn to attack and some good running by their inspiring number eight saw them score another converted try to take the lead.

Pearce narrowed the gap to a point, 14-13, with a well struck penalty just before half-time.

The second half saw the Nelson centre sent off for continuous infringement, but Blaenavon squandered any opportunity to press home their advantage.

Nelson scored a well worked try to go 21 -13 up, and going into the last ten minutes Blaenavon had a flanker sin binned which left the door open for Nelson to score another well orchestrated try and claim the bonus point win.

This Saturday Blaenavon are playing Bedlinog away with a 1pm kick off.