Aberbargoed RFC- 12

Crickhowell RFC - 26

AGAINST Aberbargoed on Saturday, Crickhowell bagged another bonus point win at a critical time in the league programme but not without the home team giving them a stern run for their money.

Playing in a snow storm on a glue pot of a pitch, whose dimensions barely met the laws of the game, Crickhowell found it difficult to cope with an Aberbargoed side who just smothered everything Crickhowell tried.

The narrowness and shortness of the pitch proved a real problem for the away side to solve and the game was heading for stalemate but there were signs that Crickhowell were starting to get on top.

The scrum became more stable, James Webb secured the lineout and the rolling mauls gained a deal of territory for the away side. One such maul pushed the home side on to their try line but despite recycling the ball on a number of occasions Crickhowell found no way through as Aberargoed defended ferociously until the ball found second row John Bennet who picked up and dived over the pile of bodies on the try line to score.

Adam Howells converted and at halftime Crickhowell led by 7-0.

Come the second half and Crickhowell enjoyed the wind at their backs but played up the slope. They immediately upped the pace and managed to to get some quick ball from a ruck midfield. 

The threes put the ball wide and found fly half Leon Rees looping on the outside of James, Ralph Rees received the pass and forced his way over. The conversion attempt failed. Aberbargoed never laid down and took the game to the away side and during this period of pressure scored two penalty goals, one for not releasing the ball and one for being offside.

It was an uncomfortable period for Crickhowell but it was pleasing that Crickhowell held their try line. The forwards never missed a tackle and then after a huge defensive effort they hit right back.

Driving runs by Matt Price and Alan Taylor took Crickhowell into the opposition 22 metre area. The ball was recycled one way and then the other until Aberbargoed were penalised for driving into the side of the maul.

From the ensuing five metre lineout further Crickhowell mauls were set up and eventually James Webb picked up and used all his strength to get himself over the line. Adam Howells converted.

Crickhowell pressed further and after further forward pressure, Andrew Reynolds squirmed his was over the line. Adam Howells converted.

Aberbargoed were not done however. They forced their way down in to the Crickhowell 22 and were awarded a penalty. This was quickly taken and Aberbargoed scored a converted try of their own on the stroke of full time.

Overall it was a good all round performance by Crickhowell in difficult conditions. The side now look forward to next Saturday away at Tref-y-Clawdd.