Garndiffaith RFC - 22

ABERGAVENNY returned to league action on Saturday with an away trip to long time rivals Garndiffaith.

Aber’s coaches were able to select a strong looking side. Jay Adams and Matt Charles joined skipper Ieaun James in the front row, Will Evans and Dan Horler were in the second row, coach Nathan Thomas came into the side at number eight, flanked by Dan Beavan and Rhys Dawe.

Lewis Evans partnered Rhod Webster at half back, Joe Evans and Nathan Byrne were in the centre. Sam Vaughan, Josh Parr, and Antony Squires made up the back three.

Aber started the game very confidently keeping the ball exceptionally well and putting numerous phases together

This eventually resulted with centre Joe Evans scything through to score a fine try, converted by Josh Parr.

Abergavenny went straight back on the attack and managed to get a line out deep in Garn territory, and from a well controlled drive number eight Nathan Thomas touched down for a second try, 12-0.

From the restart, Aber looked odds on to score again but a speculative pass was intercepted by the Garn winger. After a scrambled defence stopped the initial danger, the Garn recycled to score in the corner.

This seemed to spur the home team on and they lifted their game for the remainder of the first half and scored again to leave it all square at half time, 12-12 .

The second half started with Aber in the ascendency. Once again a line out close to the Garn line resulted in Rhys Dawe touching down for Abergavenny to retake the lead, 12-17. The home side however refused to lie down and their tenacity at the breakdown and in defence continued to cause Aber problems.

A speculative kick out of defence and a defensive blunder from Abergavenny allowed the Garn a cheap score to draw level once again, 17-17.

Aber’s coaches now rang the changes. Rob Lothian and Gareth Williams came into the front row, Rhob Conick came on at scrum half, and Alex Howes slotted into the centre.

Aber continued to play open attacking rugby and after managing to keep the ball for several phases, put speedy winger Squires into space to cross for an unconverted try.

Aber increased their lead with a Josh Parr penalty to make it 17-25, but once again they pressed the self destruct button, giving the ball away senselessly and allowing the Garn to score their fourth try which brought them right back into the game, 22-25.

Abergavenny threw everything into one last attacking effort and at the very end of the game, replacement centre Alex Howes crashed through several would be tacklers to score a superb try, converted by Josh Parr, to give Aber a bonus point win after a very entertaining, if slightly frustrating game for the Abergavenny coaches.