Abergavenny RFC - 45

Hartridge HSOB - 36

ABERGAVENNY returned to Bailey park in style on Saturday with a hard-earned win over Hartridge. In an entertaining match overflowing with tries the coaches made several changes.

Tom Powell, Ryan Morgan, and Curtis Price formed the front row, Will Evans and Dan Horler slotted into the second row, and Josh Davies, Rhys Dawe, and Ethan Thomas filled the back row positions.

Rhob Connick and Rhod Webster continued at half-back, James Lewis and Nathan Byrne teamed up at centre, Jack Butler, Anthony Squire, and Ieuan Evans made up the back three.

The game kicked off and it was obvious from the start that both sides were intent on playing open attacking rugby, but it was the visitors that struck first with a length of the field try.

The clarets immediately responded with a Dan Horler try to level the scores, only to see Hartridge score two tries in quick succession to give them a 15-5 lead.

This seemed to kick start the home side and they played some excellent controlled attacking rugby for the rest of the first half with three converted tries, scored by Rhob Conick and Anthony Squire to make it 26-15 at half-time.

The second-half continued in the same fashion with both sides throwing the ball around for a combined tally of six tries.

Aber winger Ieuan Evans scored his first for the senior team to which Hartridge quickly responded with a try of their own. Anthony Squire completed his impressive hat-trick to give the clarets a 40-22 lead but once again Hartridge came back with another score to make it 40-29.

As the game drew to a close, substitute Alun Chessworth-Rickard touched down for the team’s seventh try to give them a seemingly unassailable 45-29 lead. Yet once again Hartridge bounced back to have the last say in a memorable match which served up a much needed victory and bonus point for the home team.

There is no fixture for Abergavenny’s first team game next week but the Quins will be at home to Mountain Ash. So why not pop along and lend your support.