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Abergavenny returned to league action on Saturday with an away trip to long time rivals Garndiffaith looking to return to winning ways after the away defeat to fellow promotion hopefuls Oakdale .

Abers coaches were able to select a strong looking side; Jay Adams and Matt Charles joined skipper Ieaun James in the front row, Will Evans and Dan Horler were in the second row, coach Nathan Thomas came into the side at number eight flanked by Dan Beavan and Rhys Dawe. Lewis Evans partnered Rhod Webster at half back Joe Evans and Nathan Byrne were in the centre, Sam Vaughan Josh Parr and Antony Squires made up the back three.

Aber started the game very confidently keeping the ball exceptionally well and putting numerous phases together that put the home defence under pressure. This eventually resulted in centre Joe Evans scything through to score a fine try converted by Josh Parr.

Abergavenny went straight back on the attack and managed to get a line out close to the Garn line and from a well controlled drive number eight Nathan Thomas touched down for a second try to give Aber a 12-0 lead.

From the restart Aber went straight back on the offensive and looked odds on to score again but a speculative pass was intercepted by the Garn winger and after a scrambled defence stopped the initial danger the Garn recycled to score in the corner . This score seemed to spur the home team on and they lifted their game for the remainder of the first half and scored again to leave the score all level at half time 12-12.

The second half started with Aber once again in the ascendency taking the game to the home side and keeping them under long periods of pressure. Once again, a line out close to the Garn line resulted in Rhys Dawe touching down for Abergavenny to retake the lead 12-17.

The home side however refused to lie down and their tenacity at the breakdown and in defence continued to cause Aber problems. After a speculative kick out of defence a defensive blunder from Abergavenny allowed the Garn a cheap score to draw level once again 17-17.

Aber's coaches now rang the changes Rob Lothian and Gareth Williams came into the front row Rhob Conick came on at scrum half and Alex Howes into the center. Aber continued to play open attacking rugby and after managing to keep the ball for several phases to put speedy winger Squires into space and he crossed for an unconverted try to retake the lead. 

Aber increased their lead with a Josh Parr penalty to 17-25 but once again Aber pressed the self destruct button giving the ball away senselessly and allowing the Garn to score their fourth try bringing them right back into the game 22-25.

Abergavenny once again threw everything into one last attacking effort and at the very end of the game replacement center Alex Howes crashed through several would be tacklers to score a superb try converted by Josh Parr to give Aber a bonus point win after a very entertaining if slightly frustrating game for the Abergavenny coaches.

Abergavennys next home game is a very exciting home quarter final National Bowl match against Penygraig on the 2nd of March. A large home crowd would help our boys enormously please come along.