Tredegar Ironsides RFC -7

Abergavenny kicked off the new year with a visit to Tredegar to face the Ironsides in what promised to be a tough encounter.

After last week’s 15-12 win over local rivals Usk, Aber’s coaches made several changes to the starting line up.

Nathan Harris joined Jay Adams and Matt Charles to make up the front row, Luke Williams partnered Dan Horler in the second row, with Will Evans dropping into the back row with Nathan Thomas and Dan Beavan. Lewis Evans and Matt Sevenoaks formed a new half back partnership, Jacob Buttler and Nathan Byrne were in the centre, and Lloyd Holder, Josh Parr and Antony Squires made up the back three.

From the start the home side regained possession and kept the ball for a prolonged period to put Aber under pressure but their defence stood firm.

Abergavenny worked their way into the game with a very dominant scrum. The Aber eight pushed the Ironsides off their own ball for number eight Nathan Thomas to touch down, converted by Evans, 0-7.

From the restart Abergavenny went straight back on the offensive. A solid scrum on the ten metre line saw Thomas and Evans combine to put Lloyd Holder over in the corner for a well finished try.

It now looked like Aber would kick on and put the game to bed but the home side had other ideas and rallied to prevent any further scores in the first half.

The second half saw the home side putting the clarets under long periods of pressure and they were eventually rewarded with a converted try, 7-12.

Straight from the restart Aber managed to force a penalty, kicked by Lewis Evans, to stretch the lead to 7-15.

Abergavenny now rung the changes with Rhob Conick and Rhod Webster coming on at half back, Dan Smith came on at centre with Ieuan James and Rob Lothian bolstering up the front row.

The rest of the game became a very stop start affair with no continuity from either side and several yellow cards being handed out for various misdemeanours.

There was no further scores and the game ended 15-7 to Abergavenny who next week travel to Llanhilleth in the fifth round of the Swalec bowl. All support would be much appreciated. Abergavenny Quins travelled to local rivals Monmouth on Saturday with a strong squad and came away with hard a 21-24 victory after a hard fought encounter to give them the double over the Druids this season.

Treharris - 7

Abergavenny - 9

PRIOR to the Ironsides match Abergavenny travelled to Treharris to play the fourth round of the WRU Bowl Competition and grafted out a narrow but memorable win.

The Abergavenny pack had a settled look about it comprising of Adnams, James, Lothian, Evans, Horler, Dawe, Beavan, and Davies. The backs showed a few changes with Connick, Webster, Vaughan, Bryne, Howes, Price and Williams beginning the game.

From the first whistle the difficulty of the challenge became apparent with Treharris playing a powerful forward-orientated game, picking and driving at every opportunity - rarely releasing their backs.

This was met with strong defence from Abergavenny, forcing the opposition to infringe at the break down. From the resultant penalties, two hit the posts before Webster converted to give the clarets a 3-0 lead.

For long periods of the first half Treharris were camped on the Abergavenny line but strong defence repelled every attack resulting in a 3-0 lead at half time.

The second half began with Abergavenny having a little more control of the game, being very dominant at scrum time, creating good field position which resulted in another converted penalty by Webster.

Treharris then had their best period of the game, exerting great pressure on the Abergavenny line, before crossing for a converted try near the corner.

Finding themselves 7 – 6 down in front of a hostile crowd, Abergavenny showed great character and composure. Having gained good field position Treharris were forced to infringe in their own half. Under great pressure young Nathan Williams duly stepped up and converted giving Abergavenny a 9 – 7 lead. It was now time to wind down the clock with a very composed five minutes of play resulting in a memorable away win.