Fixture

Ynysddu  were the visitors to Bailey Park on Saturday  bringing with them an unbeaten side in six league games this season but they were sent home with their tail between their legs after being comprehensively beaten 19 -7 by the home team.

Abergavenny were able to field a fairly settled team with a front row of Knight, Williams and Morgan, Josh Hitchman joined Dan Morris in the second row, Anthony Williams came into no 8, flanked by Dan Beavan and C J Woodhouse. Dai Williams and Rhodri Webster continued their partnership at half backs, Gareth Beavan had a new centre partner in Rob Morgan and the back three were made of Wil Williams, Matthew Edwards and Dan Dunmore.

Ynysddu started the game very confidently and looked to move the ball wide at every opportunity. Aber found themselves under constant pressure and the away side eventually opened the scoring with a well-executed try which was converted to give them a 7 – 0 lead. Early in the first half injured Gareth Beavan was replaced by Lloyd Holder who got into the game straight away and produced a forty yard break deep into Ynysddu territory where Ynysddu gave away a penalty kicked by Matthew Edwards to bring the score back to 3-7. The game seesawed back and for with neither side gaining the upper hand, but late in the first half Abergavenny kicked to the corner where captain Gareth Williams hit his line out jumper and second row Dan Morris drove over for an unconverted try, to give Abergavenny a  8 – 7 lead at half time.

Abergavenny kicked off the second half playing down towards the bandstand and immediately seized the initiative putting the away side under constant pressure. Ynyssdu’s halfbacks tried kicking their team out of trouble but Abergavenny’s backs ran the ball back at them with guile and precision. Abergavenny were unfortunate not to score on several occasions but eventually after good handling and support running winger Dan Dunmore crossed for a superb try, which went unconverted. Abergavenny now rang the changes with Owen Staphnil, Fred Pursey & Ted Williams coming into the pack and the home side really started to put the squeeze on Ynysddu forwards. Genni’s scrummage was now totally dominant and they were awarded several penalties one which was kicked by Matthew Edwards to give Abergavenny a 16-7 lead. Abergavenny’s forward dominance allowed half backs Williams and Webster to keep Ynysddu pegged back into their twenty two and gave them no chance of adding to their first half score. Rhodri Webster concluded Abergavenny’s scoring with a superbly struck drop goal (Dan Carter eat your heart out), which gave Abergavenny a thoroughly convincing 19-7 victory.

Coaches Mark Fleet and Howard Davies were thrilled with this terrific team performance and hopefully it will give the confidence when they travel away to Garndiffaith next Saturday. Abergavenny Quins played their first home game of the season, also playing Ynysddu and recorded a fine 36 – 0 victory with winger Ieuan Mainwaring scoring a hat trick.