Fixture

Abergavenny entertained Machen on Saturday at Bailey park hoping to record their eighth successive victory in the league and the large home crowd were not to be disappointed as Aber recorded a convincing 20-5 victory.

Once again Abergavennys coaches had to make several changes from the previous week, the front row remained the same with Jack Williams ,Ieaun James and Matt Charles, Nathan Thomas joined Luke Williams in the second row with Dan Beavan and Rudi Lewis returning to join number eight Josh Davies in the back row. Rhob Connick and Matt Sevenoaks were the half backs with Rhod Webster and Nathan Byrne in the centre Will Williams, Jacob Buttler and Dan Dunmore made up the back three.

The home side started the game looking like a side full of confidence keeping the ball for long periods and making the away side concede several early penalties which Aber used well to put pressure on Machen deep in their own half. After several driving line outs and some probing runs by the three quarters scrum half Rhob Connick put a beautiful weighted kick behind the defence which was collected by Will Williams to score a well deserved try converted by Webster, from out wide, to give Aber a 7-0 lead. From the restart the clarets went straight back to work keeping the away side under constant pressure and only robust defence from a very aggressive Machen team prevented  the home side scoring again. This constant pressure eventually resulted in a penalty well converted by Rhod Webster to increase Abergavenny's lead to ten points to nil. When Machen did have the ball the home defence was in terrific fettle and drove the away side attackers back with gust at every opportunity, and as half time approached the away sides frustration boiled over and their number eight was showed a red card for stamping at a ruck.

The second half started very similar to the first with Aber playing all the rugby but were being kept at bay by a very determined Machen defence. Whenever the away side got the Abergavenny side under pressure full back Jacob Buttler relieved it by pining them back in their own half with some excellent line kicking. Half way through the second period Abers centre was yellow carded for a late dangerous tackle which allowed the away side to gain a position close to the home sides try line and from a quickly taken penalty they crossed for a unconverted try to bring the score to10-5. This score seemed to energise the home team and they now took the game to Machen at every opportunity and only desperate defence prevented several scores, the home side now rung the changes with Rob Lothian and Jamie Knight replacing the props and Matt Collins coming into the second row, behind the scrum Stuart Davies and Lloyd Holder came on at centre and wing respectively. With the game still very close Aber attacked at every opportunity and eventually from a very powerful scrum number eight Josh Davies crossed for a try, his third in as many games, which was again converted by Webster to the home side some breathing space. As the game drew to a close Webster added a further penalty to stretch Abergavenny's lead to 20-5 and put the game safe, to add to Machens misery they had a further player sent off for dangerous use of the boot and finally had to concede to a comprehensive defeat.

Abergavenny's victory takes them up to second place in the league and this is a testament to the hard work that coaches Simon Williams and Nathan Thomas have put in this season. Match sponsors the, Symonds consortium, voted Jacob Buttler man of the match and the club would like to take this opportunity to thank all their sponsors this season.

Next week Aber Quins are at home to Gwernyfed all support very welcome .