Blaenavon RFC - 11

Rhiwbina RFC - 25

DIVISION One East top dogs Rhiwbina arrived at Blaenavon unbeaten and unbowed with five consecutive wins under their belt, and after a bruising afternoon's rugby, departed with yet another victory to add to their impressive record.

It was always going to be a difficult afternoon for Blaenavon who have yet to win a league fixture this season and were forced to play some players out of position due to injuries.

Playing up the slope in the first half, the homeside were soon on the defensive, pinned back in their own 25 after losing a ball on their own scrum.

The Squirrels looked like a slick unit with a big pack of forwards and quality backs. Blaenavon defended well but after six minutes the Rhiwbina full back S. Darlow crossed for a well worked try which B. Chadwin had no problems converting.

Blaenavon then started to attack Rhiwbina causing them lots of problems with scrum half G. Betts and R. Powell combining well, resulting in a Blaenavon Penalty 38 metres out, which Darren Pearce just failed to convert.

Rhiwbina was giving the home pack a torrid time and Blaenavon were losing their own scrummage. Both team's flankers had a difference of opinion resulting in a yellow card each. Rhiwbina licked the resulting penalty to go 10-0 up.

The game seemed to settle down then with both defences playing well and cancelling out each other's attacks. Blaenavon were awarded a penalty which long range kicker R. Powell had no problem slotting over, 10-3.

Another flare up in the middle of the pitch saw the Referee give a straight red card to the Blaenavon Flanker which made Blaenavon's task a uphill one.

It was inevitable that the Squirrels would exploit their one man advantage and right on half time, centre S. Summers touched down for a converted try, 17-3.

The second half saw a 14 man Blaenavon rise to the challenge and some good performances by prop Sam Evans Matthew Billings and Dan Horsemen bolstered the Blaenavon resolve.

Ritchie Powell kicked a penalty to make it 17-6, but Blaenavon were then subjected to a Rhiwbina onslaught which ended in both a try and a penalty for the visitors to make it 25-6.

Into the last ten minutes, Gareth Jones added some respectability to the scoreline and run-in a well worked try to make it 11-25.

Next week Blaenavon travel to Local Rivals Pontypool Utd in the Second round of the SWALEC Plate competition. K.O. 2-30pm at the memorial Ground.