Fixture

After a very successful season, gaining promotion to division one, the club are sad that Nathan Thomas and Simon Williams are standing down as Abergavenny Club coaches. They have been with the club for the last six seasons and have transformed the fortunes of the senior teams, guiding them to the winning of the WRU Bowl final in Cardiff in 2019 and taking them from league three east in 2017 to league one next season. They leave with sincere thanks from the whole club for their dedication and professionalism during this remarkable period in the club’s history.

Abergavenny welcomed Ynysddu for the final league game of the season. Having come second best in the away fixture earlier this month, this was a fitting way to end the season, the result of this game would determine who would finish second in the league. Abergavenny selected Connor Davies, Ryan Morgan, Matt Charles, Will Evans, Jordan Curran, Aaron Scrimgeour, Ben Main and Alex Howes in the forwards. Rhys Ferguson, Rhodri Webster, Ieuan T Evans, Rhys Jones, Ieuan J Evans, Anthony Squire and Nathan Williams.

From the beginning of the game the challenge Ynysddu would pose became apparent as Jason Tovey imposed himself on the game, kicking into space and creating the opening try for his team, giving Ynysddu a 7 – 0 lead. From this point the Abergavenny forwards began to dominate at scrum time, this set the tone for the whole game as the home side gained good possession on the front foot while Ynysddu were always under pressure in retreat. Abergavenny had a long period of pressure in the visitors 22 and after several near attempts Jordan Curran was driven over the line by Will Evans for the home side’s first try. Powerful carries from Ben Main and Aaron Scrimgeour brought Abergavenny down into the Ynysddu 22 once again, from a scrum 20 yards out Alex Howes picked up, found Rhys Ferguson who hit a gap and ran through for Abergavenny’s second try, converted by Nathan Williams. Lineout had been a priority in training this week, the improvement was noticeable as clean possession was won regularly for the home side. From a lineout on halfway clean ball was distributed into midfield, Anthony Squire ran a line between the two centers, bisected their defense and ran around the fullback to score under the posts, converted by Nathan Williams. This gave Abergavenny a 19 – 7 lead going into halftime.

With Bailey Park looking its picturesque best, bathed in sunshine with a country fair taking place on the old lido and a sizable rugby crowd the scene was set for the second half. Ynysddu were first to impose themselves on the game by forcing errors in the Abergavenny back line, from the turnover possession, they attacked into the corner and were awarded a penalty try closing the score to 19 – 14. At this point with the game in the balance the Abergavenny forwards continued to provide clean ball on the front foot, this enabled Rhod Webster to dictate play behind. Ieuan J Evans stepped inside his opponent in midfield and ran in for Abergavenny’s fourth try, taking the game away from Ynysddu once again. Callum Poole, Liam Newton and Dan Haymond were introduced into the game and from this point the home side looked in control. The forwards carried strongly and gained field position near the Ynysddu line. Aaron Scrimgeour was able to drive over for his first try extending the lead to 29 – 14. To their credit Ynysddu kept going and were rewarded with a try closing the gap to ten points once again. Ollie Stansfield and Nathan Harris entered the contest as Rhodri Webster left the field to a standing ovation having decided to retire from playing after a long and distinguished career over many years. With tired legs all around the park the Abergavenny three-quarters played with confidence and with Nathan Williams playing in his favored center position he sliced through the Ynysddu defense on two occasions to close the game out with a very convincing scoreline of 43 – 19, ensuring Abergavenny a second-place finish in the league.