Machen RRC - 17

Abergavenny RFC -22

ABERGAVENNY travelled to Machen on Saturday for the first time in many years and after a very entertaining game came away with a 17-22 victory.

Again Aber’s team showed many changes from the week before. Josh Davies and Stuart Dixon came into the pack, Rhob Connick and John Owen slotted in at half-back and Nathan Byrne and Rhod Webster formed a new centre partnership.

The clarets started well, moving the ball at every opportunity, but at the same time playing a well structured game and not allowing Machen much time on the ball.

The style of play Abergavenny have adopted this season soon proved fruitful. Lloyd Holder and Rhod Webster both scored excellent tries with Webster converting both and adding a penalty to leave the half-time score 3-17 to the visitors.

The second-half was a different affair with the home side playing a tight driving game and giving the Abergavenny defence plenty to think about.

After defending manfully for long periods Aber managed to get out of their own half and against the run of play scored their third try through number eight Josh Davies, 3-22.

Machen now flooded the field with replacements and reverted back to their direct and bludgeoning attacking style, putting Aber under tremendous pressure for the remainder of the game.

Abergavenny utilized their subs with Joe Symonds replacing CJ Woodhouse, Ryan Williams (Southy) coming on in the centre for Byrne and coach Nathan Thomas replacing Stuart Dixon.

They all threw themselves into the defensive effort but eventually the home side scored two tries to snatch a bonus point from the jaws of defeat.

Still, it was a very solid away victory for the Clarets.

Next Saturday Aber are at home to old rivals Monmouth. Kick-off is at 2.30pm. Why not pop along and support your team.