Glamorgan Wanderers RFC - 12

Blaenavon RFC - 19

IN a heroic performance, a 14 man Blaenavon beat Glamorgan Wanderers in their own backyard.

At the Memorial ground in Ely, Glamorgan Wanders started at a blistering pace, but the stalwart Blaenavon defence stood firm with some good tackles by Dan Phillips, Scott Crease, Rhys Long and Richard Dennington, and some quality high ball takes from Darren Pearce.

The Blaenavon pack seized a five metre scrummage as a golden opportunity to turn the screw on the Wanderers and front row Sam Evans Dan Horseman drove over for number eight Chris Jones to touch down. Darren Pearce converted, 7-0.

The Blaenavon Flanker got sin binned for a high tackle and Wanderers exploited the advantage with a well worked try to make it all square.

The Blaenavon defence became to creak and from a a 25 metre line out, the Wanderers scored an unconverted try from a text book catch and drive.

Blaenavon responded well with good play from Sam Cooke and Matthew Billings. A clever kick ahead and chase by slippery scrum half Ryan Bates, allowed Chris 'Slogger' Baldwin to crash over in the corner for Blaenavon's second try. The difficult conversion was missed to make it 12-12 at half time.

Into the second-half and an outrageous dummy by Scott Creese saw him offload the perfect pass to put Richard Dennington under the sticks. Darren Pearce converted, 19-12.

Unfortunately, Blaenavon then hit the self destruct button, two yellow cards for wild tackles saw the Blaenavon number eight and flanker sent off in quick succession. It was the flankers' second yellow which meant Blaenavon was down to 13 men for ten minutes and 14 men for the rest of the game.

Looking to defend their slender lead, it was now a case of 'all hands to the pumps' for the visitors, as wave after wave of Wanderers attacks was thwarted by the superb Blaenavon defence, particularly Dan Phillips, Matthew Billings and Callum Davis.

Blaenavon held on as the final whistle blew, much to the delight of the visiting supporters and coaches.

In this current form, Blaenavon should do well in the remaining six games and end their first season, after gaining promotion to Division One East, on a high. This Saturday sees Blaenavon home to Fleur-de Lys. Kick Off is at 2.30pm.