Abergavenny RFC - 25

Abertysswg Falcons - 10

ABERGAVENNY opened the new season at Bailey park with a tough fixture against Abertysswg Falcons.

Under the same coaching set up as last season, the team had a fairly settled look about it.

Nathan Harris returned to join captain Ieuan James and Matt Charles in the front row. Chris Williams and Will Evans were in the boiler house. Alex Howes stepped up from the youth to play at six. G Beavan and Josh Davies completed the back row.

Rhob Connick and Rhodri Webster made up the half-backs with Stuart Davies and Dan Smith forming the centre partnership. The back three consisted of newcomer Anthony Squire, Will Williams and Josh Parr, who was returning after a twelve month injury.

The visitors started with a bang, hitting Aber back in the tackle and putting their attack under constant pressure with their aggressive line speed.

The home sides’ scrum was having some problems with the big Abertysswg pack but stuck manfully to their task and when the Aber backs had the ball they looked dangerous.

However it was the away side that opened the scoring. After turning the ball over in their own half they moved the ball wide quickly for their winger to score an excellent try.

Aber equalised when Stuart Davies took a quick tap penalty, got behind the defence and fed Will Williams who scored under the posts. The conversion was missed.

The Falcons had the last say in the half when their winger scored again to make it 5-10.

In the second-half Aber were far more composed. Rhod Webster kicked a penalty to close the gap.

Aber extended their lead when Anthony squire received the ball in his own half and mesmerised the entire away side as he glided through them to score under the posts, converted by Webster.

Subs Gareth Williams, Rob Lothian, Josh Van Mael, coach Nathan Thomas and Jacob Buttler were invited from the bench to come and join the party.

When a strong driving maul was pulled down Aber were awarded a penalty try. The clarets then threw everything into attack with a fourth try on their minds but it was not to be and Aber settled for a satisfactory victory against a very tough and abrasive side .

Also on Saturday the club was very pleased to field a Harlequins side thanks to the efforts of Owen Staphnill.

The side was a mix of youth and experience and returned from a daunting trip to Hartridge Old Boys with a fine 10-32 victory.

Kevin Palmer scored a hat trick, with the other tries coming from Garin price and Owen Jones. Keiron Skinner claimed the other points via his boot.

Next week the Quins are at home to Chepstow and the youth to Newbridge. The firsts are without a fixture.