Abergavenny RFC - 13

Oakdale RFC - 7

AHEAD of their match at Bailey Park both Abergavenny and Oakdale were unbeaten, but at the end of the 80 minutes that honour belonged to Aber alone.

Aber’s coaches were able to select a settled pack with only one change from the previous week. Jay Adams, Ieaun James and Rob Lothian were in the front row, Will Evans and Dan Horler teamed up in the second row, Nicky Phippen came into the side at number eight, flanked by Dan Beavan and Rhys Dawe.

Rhob Connick and Rhod Webster remained at half back, Jacob Buttler returned to partner Dan Smith in the centre, and Lloyd Holder and Sam Vaughan came into the side with Josh Parr at full back.

Aber started stronger, keeping the ball for long periods and penning Oakdale down in their 22.

This was the story of the first half but Aber failed to capitalise due to dropped passes, wrong decision making and refereeing decisions as the score remained pointless at half time.

The second half was similar to the first with the home side camped in the Oakdale half. The breakthrough came in the 60th minute when quick ball gave winger Sam Vaughan a sniff of the line and he took the opportunity to score in the corner.

From the restart Abergavenny were back on the attack and after several minutes of pressure both at scrum and line out, flanker Rhys Dawe forced his way over for a second try.

Replacements Matt Sevenoaks and Nathan Thomas were already on the field and Matt Charles and Nathan Harris were also introduced to help keep the pressure on the away side.

Even though Oakdale had been under constant pressure for the entire game they never let their heads drop and took full advantage of a lapse in concentration from Abergavenny to score an excellent converted try to bring the score back to 10-7.

Once again Aber pressed for another score but dogged defence prevented this and the home side had to make do with a penalty by Rhod Webster to take the final score to 13-7 .

This win leaves Abergavenny the only undefeated side in the league and puts them in second place. Next week Aber face Cardiff side Fairwater in the third round of the Swalec Bowl at Bailey Park.