Abergavenny RFC - 23

Cwmbran RFC - 9

AFTER a week’s break Abergavenny returned to league action with a win against a hard and uncompromising Cwmbran outfit at Bailey park.

Thanks to good availability, Aber were able to select a more settled side.

Curtis Price, Ryan Morgan, Tom Powell, Dan Horler and Will Evans made up the front five. Ben Roberts, Rhys Dawe and captain Josh Davies were in the back row and Rhob Connick and Rhod Webster continued at half back. James Lewis and Nathan Byrne started at centre with Anthony Squire and the two Butler boys, Jacob and Jack, in the back three.

The visitors started the game with a bang and kept the ball well, putting the home defence under a long period of sustained pressure which eventually resulted in a well struck penalty to take the lead.

From the restart Aber got their hands on the ball and for the next five minutes camped in the opposition’s 22 where they were rewarded with a penalty, kicked by Jacob Butler.

The rest of the first half was a pretty dour affair with the Abergavenny scrum under pressure, which denied them a steady platform to attack off.

Cwmbran kicked two further penalties and Aber’s J. Butler got one to leave the home side trailing at the break, 6-9.

At half-time Aber brought on replacement forwards Rob Lothian and Dan Beavan. They made an immediate impact. The Aber scrum was now dominant, giving the backs plenty of go forward ball.

The Clarets attacked from every opportunity it wasn’t long before they took the lead with a try from their inspirational captain Josh Davies, converted by Butler, who also kicked a penalty to make it 16-9.

Abergavenny now introduced subs Lewis Evans, Ieuan James and Tom Edwards who all added to fuel Aber’s now purring engine.

Eventually the home side put the result beyond doubt when player coach James Lewis scored a fine individual try from 50 metres out, converted by Jacob Buttler, to leave the final score 23-9. A good result for the home side against tough opposition who never gave up the fight.

Abergavenny Quins travelled to face Talywain on Saturday but returned home on the back of a defeat mainly due to the lack of a backline and the late withdrawals of several players.

The youth team played at home against Croesyceiliog in a match dedicated to the late Tim Watkins and recorded a fine victory .

Next week Abergavenny first team are away to Croesyceiliog. The bus will leave the club at 12.30 -12.45pm and all supporters are welcome.