Fixture

An expectant crowd welcomed the two teams onto the field and the home supporters were first to make themselves heard as Abergavenny spread the ball with great fluency, creating space for Anthony Squire to run in his first try of the afternoon, converted by Harvey Barrier. Pontypool were soon on the attack pinning the home side in their own half, some weak defending allowed the visitors to penetrate the Abergavenny defense, scoring under the posts to level the scores at 7 – 7. From a defensive scrum Pontypool failed to clear their line, the loose ball was collected by Tom Foley, he managed to offload the scoring pass for Anthony Squire to score his second try, expertly converted by Harvey Barrier. Pontypool came back strongly into the game, having a long period of possession in the Abergavenny 22. A succession of penalties resulted in two yellow cards for the home side, the remaining players defended manfully, but a cross kick found space for Pontypool to score their second try, closing the score to 14 – 12. Just before half-time Abergavenny won a penalty which Harvey Barrier converted to go into the break leading 17 – 12.

Early in the second half an early penalty opportunity was very well taken by Harvey Barrier crucially giving the home side a two-score cushion. This seemed to deflate the visitors and from the restart Pontypool failed to deal with a box kick allowing Will Rees to gather the loose ball and race 50 meters to score under the posts, converted by Barrier. Abergavenny continued to grow in confidence, putting numerous phases together. After a lengthy period of forwards and backs inter passing, Dayle Price found Anthony Squire in space on half-way, he glided down the touchline before stepping inside with a turn of speed that left the defenders clutching at thin air to score his hat-trick try. The conversion extended the score to 34 – 12. The hosts continued to delight the home crowd with attractive rugby played at pace, Max Gregory collected the ball from a breakdown and broke through the initial tackle to run 30 meters to score Abergavenny’s fifth try to put the game out of the reach of the visitors.

Pontypool United continued to battle hard and were rewarded with a consolation try near the end to close the scoreline up to 41 – 19.

Abergavenny travel to Nelson next weekend while the Quins entertain Ynysddu at home.