Fixture

Abergavenny RFC | 1st Team 8 - 3 Usk RFC | 1st Team

Match Report
23 January 2018 / Team News

Aber scrap it out for a win

On a very wet dreary afternoon Abergavenny welcomed local rivals Usk to Bailey park in what promised to be a very tough fixture for the claret and ambers and the largest crowd of the season were not to be disappointed.

Aber were able to field a fairly settled side with only a few changes from the previous league fixture Jack Williams, Ieaun James and Matt Charles along with Will Evans and Josh van Male were the front five. Dan Beavan Rudi Lewis and Josh Davies made up the back row. Behind the pack, Rhob Conick and Rhod Webster were at half back Dan smith and Stuart Davis were in the center Will Williams, Dan Dunmore and James Lewis made up the back three.

Aber began the game playing the game up the slope away from the club and soon found themselves under heavy pressure from the Usk pack as they kept the ball very effectively and used the elements to their advantage. The home sides defence held firm to prevent the away side scoring and eventually managed to get some possession and play themselves into the Usk half where they remained for most of the Middle part of the first half but were continuously driven back by a very aggressive and well organised defence. Towards the end of the first half Aber once again found themselves under heavy pressure in their 22 and it was only the fact that the Usk line out was turned over time and again by Abers line out men, Rudi Lewis and Dan Beavan, that prevented them from scoring with their driving maul. Eventually the pressure told and Usk were awarded a penalty to give them a 0-3 lead at half time with every thing to play for in the second period.

Aber started the second half with much more urgency and the introduction of replacements Jay Adams, Rob Lothian and Nathan Thomas gave Abers scrum a much needed boast as it had been under some pressure in the first half and enabled the home side to get a foot hold in the Usk half. The home side kept continuous pressure on Usk for long periods and only a superb defensive effort prevented Aber from scoring, eventually after a speculative chip through by Webster which was fluffed by the Usk defence enabled skipper Ieaun James to touch down and give Aber the lead 5-3. As the game drew to a close Aber continued to pressure the away side and appeared to have scored again when replacement Nathan Byrne crossed for a try only to be called back for a dubious knock on. Usk once again upped their game and got a foot hold in Abers half and should have taken the lead with a penalty but their kicker was off target and the home supporters breathed a sigh of relief. The home side again got to within meters of the Usk try line but were once again driven back only to be awarded a penalty which Webster converted to leave the final score 8-3 to Abergavenny.

All who watched this game agreed that they had seen a cracking game of rugby with no quarter asked or given and a great advert for the many local derbies that occur in this league.

Abergavenny RFC would like to thank their club president Mr Mario Van de Vyver who was the match sponsor and he named flanker Dan Beavan as his man of the match.

Next week Aber face a tough trip to Abertysswg  and all support will be much appreciated 

Players Fixture player info not published.
Gallery

There doesn't appear to be any tagged photos.

Upload and Tag Photos
|