Tredegar Ironsides RFC - 12

Abergavenny RFC - 33

ABERGAVENNY returned to Tredegar for the first round of the national bowl competition with a much changed team from the previous week’s league match.

Rob Lothian returned to the front row joining Nick Gethin and Ieuan James. Will Evans was partnered by Matt Collins, and the back row consisted of Dan Beavan, Joe Symonds and CJ Woodhouse.

A new half-back partnership of Ryan Joyce and Stuart Davies took to the field with Gareth Beavan and Dan Smith in the centre. Leaving Lloyd Holder, Steve Jones, and Will Williams to form the back three.

Aber started strong, keeping the ball for long periods and the home side under the cosh.

The pressure paid off with a try for winger Lloyd Holder and another for full back Will Williams. Both were converted by Williams to give Aber a 0-14 cushion.

Abergavenny’s scrum continued to dominate. The forwards secured quick ball enabling the backs to run riot.

Will Williams scored and converted another try to make it 0-21 at the break.

The second-half began in a similar fashion with Aber’s backs running the ball at every opportunity.

Winger Steve Jones scored a try as did Will Williams, which he converted to give him a personal tally of 23 points.

Later in the game the Irons switched to passive scrums and Aber’s bench were called into play. Sam Price replaced Symonds and Stuart Dixon replaced Lothian. Rhob Connick and John Owen replaced the half-backs and Daren Pritchard came on at number eight.

To be fair to the Irons, they made a fist of things and were rewarded with two late tries for their tenacity.

Next week Aber return to league rugby with a visit to Machen.