Fixture

Abergavenny RFC | 1st Team 17 - 13 Garndiffaith RFC | 1st Team

Match Report
14 January 2014 / Team News

Aber battle through to last 16 of cup

Abergavenny first team returned to action after the festive break with a third round cup game against local rivals Garndiffaith and what a cracker it turned out to be. The side showed several changes from its last league game with Owen Staphnill returning to the front row, Nathan Harris filling in in the second row and Rudi Lewis replacing injured captain Tom Rees. In the backs Dan Smith continued at centre and Jack Bruten returned to the wing after injury. In the first half the Division Two side started to put Abergavenny under long periods of pressure and only resolute defence from all the side kept them at bay. Abergavenny’s main attacking weapon was their scrummage with the front row of Staphnill, James and Morgan giving the more experienced opponents a torrid time which eventually resulted in the Garn prop being yellow carded. Garndiffaith continued to pressurise the Abergavenny line and eventually the Aber defence was breached for the Garn to score a converted try. Abergavenny upped their game and after a period of sustained pressure were awarded a penalty at a scrum which was converted by Lewys Evans. Before the end of the first half Garndiffaith increased their lead to 10 points with a penalty which gave them a lead of 10-3. Aber started the second half with much more purpose and attacked the Garn line at every opportunity with wingers Will Williams and Jack Bruten causing the Garndiffaith defence many problems. Eventually after the ball passed through the hands of most of the team, flanker CJ Woodhouse crashed over near the posts for a converted try to level the game 10 all. In the last ten minutes of the game both teams threw everything into attack and only desperate defence from both sides kept the score at ten all when the final whistle was blown. The game then moved into extra time and after the first half of extra time the scores were still locked at 10 all, but after seven minutes of the second half of extra time the Garn kicked a penalty to lead 13-10. All of the Abergavenny supporters now feared the worst but this young Abergavenny side are showing great character this season and had not given up. They gave one last huge effort keeping the ball for countless phases of play and eventually young centre Dan Smith crashed over the Garn try line in the last remaining seconds of the game to give Abergavenny a thoroughly deserved hard fought victory and a place in the last 16 of the cup. Abergavennys match sponsor Morspan Construction voted Aber captain Paul Cornock man of the match but anyone of the players representing Abergavenny could have quite easily been nominated for this award. Aber return to league action next week at home to Caerphilly 2.30pm kick off.
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