The Sec
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Match Report Abertillery v Blaina SWALEC shieldAbertillery had the dream start in Saturday's SWALEC shield encounter when wing Aled Penn scored within seconds of the kick-off, Blaina were caught napping and the 'green and whites' took advantage of this rare moment of indecision within the visitors defence leading to a home team score that sent the local supporters into raptures.
In a match that showed many changes in personnel to both team selections from those that graced the park on the previous Saturday, on this occasion it was Abertillery that took the game to Blaina and held the upper hand during the first half exerting pressure on the Blaina pack. The game seemed to be played between the twenty-two's for the next quarter with unforced errors by both teams spoiling the chance of an entertaining affair.
It was the home team who next broke the deadlock when centre Chris Stevens struck a penalty goal on twenty-eight minutes to increase the Abertillery lead to eight points. Shortly after the home team thought they had increased their lead further when a blunder in the Blaina defence saw wing Andrew Mason and flanker Andrew Penny apparently ground the ball for a try only to be brought back by referee Robert Mota for an earlier infringement.
Blaina relieved by this let off now started to create some attacking opportunities of their own and as the half approached the close outside half Jason Bauman kicked a penalty goal to reduce the deficit. Inexplicably in injury time the visitors fullback Craig Jones having only just been sternly lectured by the referee once again offended and was duly sent to the sin-bin.
HT 8 - 3
As with the first half points came from the first play of the second period when Blaina were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, once again Jason Bauman struck the ball well and the home teams lead was further reduced.
The game was now constantly breaking down with many niggling skirmishes leading to warnings from the referee who finally lost his patience and sent both scrum halves off the field for ten minutes hoping to calm the game down. This reduction in numbers seemed to effect the 'green and whites' more and Blaina were now gradually coming into the ascendancy indeed on fifty-six minutes a well worked move saw the visitors centre Chris Knapp cross the line under the sticks to score the try that also gave Jason Bauman the easiest of conversions and a lead for the first time during the game.
In fairness Blaina had now turned the corner and unlike last Saturday were now on top in the set pieces, it was not however until the latter stages of the game that the result was finally 'put to bed' when centre Ross Watts exploited a tiring home defence to scorch in for the final try once again converted by Jason Bauman.
More woe was to follow when home favourite Greg Lane was forced from the field with an ankle ligament injury leaving the home team to finish the game with fourteen men as all their replacements had been used.
FT 8 - 20
Blaina now progress to the next round of the SWALEC shield whilst Abertillery have more important battles ahead in the league, lets hope that both teams fair well in both competitions.
Man of the Match: A welcome return by Jonathan Price saw him pinch this accolade however he was pushed all the way by second rows Dafydd Jones and Adam Collins.
Conditions: Dry and cold
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OUR KID
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Well my hopes of a win yesterday to an established blaina side did'nt quite come off but aber/bg certainly gave them a game as blaina returned to the park with boots and fists flying at every opportunity and aber wer'nt fazed by it and got stuck in,they have certainly improved of late and can only gain in confidence and im looking forward to going over to new tredegar next week in the league..Well done lads.
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