Tredegar Ironsides - 17

Abergavenny’s trip up top to face the Ironsides saw them return from the heights with a hard-fought win.

Aber made several changes from the week before with Steve Jones joining Will Williams and Dan Dunmore in the back three. Dan Smith partnered Gareth Beavan in the centre and a new half-back partnership of Rhob Connick and Dany Hayman was formed. Nick Gethin, Ieuan James and Jamie Knight made up the front row. Will Evans and CJ Woodhouse formed the second row, and two changes in the back row saw Dan Beavan and Alex Mcglynn flank Josh Davies at number eight.

Ironsides’ pressure drew first blood with an unconverted try.

The clarets switched into a higher gear and began to stretch the Irons from pillar to post. The attacking rugby paid off as outside half Hayman put Josh Davies through a gap to score under the posts for Hayman to convert.

Straight from the restart Aber went back on the hunt and with half time fast approaching full back Will Williams scythed through the home defence to score. Hayman converted to make it 5-14 at half-time.

Into the second half and the Irons returned to the fray with a converted try. Once again Aber bounced straight back at a much higher tempo than the home side.

A memorable attack from their own half saw the ball pass through several pairs of hands before Dan Hayman touched down and converted to give Aber a 12-21 lead.

The Tredegar side kept their heads up and at one point two Ironsides players kicked the ball through and had the line at their mercy, only for flanker Dan Beavan to appear from nowhere to scoop the ball up and save a certain try.

A penalty pushed Aber back up field and from there a prolonged attack resulted in Hayman crossing for his second to put the game safe and bag the bonus point .

The Irons however had the last say with an unconverted try. Next week Abergavenny have to return to Tredegar for the first round of the Welsh cup competition. All support will be much appreciated.