Abergavenny RFC - 24 Talywain RFC - 19

ON a beautiful autumn day Abergavenny's first 15 opened the 2014-2015 season with a home win against Talywain. With a dozen senior players unavailable for various reasons, coaches Mark Fleet and Howard Davies were faced with a selection headache, but they were bold in selection and put faith in the young players who repaid their confidence in them by proving if you are good enough you are old enough. Luke Wright joined Ieuan James and Wil Guy in the front row, with Dan Beavan and Elis Jones forming a new second row partnership to give the front five an average age of 19. Mark Squirrel led the pack from number eight, flanked by James Spooner who normally applies his trade at scrum half, and on the open side Ted Williams son of former Abergavenny stalwart Mike made his league debut. Lewys Evans and Captain Rhodri Webster gave the side some stability and experience at half back. Dan Smith and Gareth Beavan renewed their centre partnership from last season and the back three were made up of Garin Price who also made his debut, Rob Connick at full back and the eldest statesman in the team, Wil Williams. Abergavenny found themselves under some pressure from the kick off and were soon on the wrong end of the referee's whistle which resulted in Talywain kicking a penalty to take the lead 3-0. Aber responded by moving the big heavy Talywain pack around the field and showing their much older opponents no respect whatsoever in any phases of the game. After some slick handling and lovely movement off the ball, Wil Williams was put clear to score under the posts, converted by Rhodri Webster. Abergavenny kept up the pace and the pressure and were rewarded when Talywain were reduced to 14 players courtesy of a yellow card. The home team converted to go 10-3 up. The youngsters in the team were now growing in confidence and a long sweeping movement involving many pairs of hands resulted in Wil Williams scoring his second try. This was again converted by Rhodri Webster,17-3. On the stroke of half time Abergavenny centre Dan Smith was also yellow carded, Talywain kicked the resulting penalty, 17-6. Talywain began the second half playing a very limited but effective ten man game and put Abergavenny's young pack under a serious amount of pressure. After conceding several penalties Aber's second row was yellow carded for a technical offence leaving the home team with only 13 men on the field. Talywain converted the resulting penalty and scored a push over try in the top right hand corner to close the score line, 17-14. With the home side back to a full compliment of players they started to play some attractive running rugby and produced what many thought was a legitimate try in the bottom bowling green corner, but the referee did not. At this point Abergavenny introduced some experience into the young pack in the shape of Owen Williams, Gareth Williams and Darren (Itchy) Pritchard. These three steadied the ship and the home side kept constant pressure on the Talywain line. Eventually the breakthrough came and as Aber's answer to Shane Williams, Wil Williams was chasing a chip through when he was taken out off the ball and the referee awarded Abergavenny a penalty try, converted by Webster. With time fast running out Talywain threw everything into a frantic attack and from a driving lineout scored an unconverted try in the last minute to leave the score 24-19 to the home side. Abergavenny youth also played their first game of the season and after a very even well contested game managed to run out winners by five points. To coincide with the opening game the newly refurbished downstairs bar was opened. It has been named Chums Bar in memory of Mr Keith Price a former Patron of the club and loyal supporter of Abergavenny rugby club. The club would like to thank all those involved with the refurbishment, especially the club's Vice chairman Howard Davies who was the driving force and project manager. Next week the first team are away to local rivals Brynmawr and all support would be greatly appreciated.