The Sec
|
Yesterdays Match ReportAs our scribe was unavailable yesterday - here is my version of the match 
Abertillery travelled to Blaenavon to compete in the SWALEC plate second round tie, a match that was played without the pressures of league rugby and in a game with neither side relishing the possibility of a trip to North Wales in the next round.
In a mistake ridden match Abertillery at least showed from the outset the type of rugby that they would like to play week-in, week-out that of expansive free flowing rugby. Moving the ball well on times only for wrong options and unforced errors to let them down during the early stages of the game it was still not long before the 'green and whites' found themselves with an attacking scrum on the Blaenavon line, the dominant Tillery eight heaved the Blaenavon pack backwards giving number eight Gareth Collier the easiest of jobs picking up at the base of the scrum and dotting down for the opening score, the bonus points of the conversion was added from the boot of Chris Stevens.
The false assumption was made that the home team would roll over now but a stoic resistance proved this to be wrong and indeed after twenty minutes of bland rugby Blaenavon were next to score when they succeeded in stretching the Abertillery defence, creating an overlap and scoring a well worked try which was duly converted.
With Abertillery playing into a strong wind and although having the game territorially any mistakes were punished with relieving kicks driving them back into defence, however with the scrum being an ever increasing platform of good possession, Abertillery gradually managed to stretch the home team defence both ways and after a series of penalties centre Chris Stevens slotted a penalty goal to once again open up a three point lead which lasted to the half time interval.
HT 10-7
The second half started in the same style as that seen during the first forty minutes when after twelve minutes full back Darren Miles followed up on his well directed grubber kick forcing his opposite number to spill the ball and release the until now subdued wing Aled Penn who duly scored in the corner, although the conversion was missed a now all important two score lead was achieved.
Things settled down again and although Abertillery were in the ascendancy no further points were being accrued. The definitive moment of the match came however when yet another 'green and white' attack broke down when it looked as if a score was bound to come. Blaenavon took advantage of a spilled ball deep in their twenty-two and as their centre hared down the field with both Miles and Penn in pursuit, although not regaining any ground, it looked as if a try was bound to come but they didn't bargain for young wing Tom Bowd on his nineteen birthday who saved the day with a tremendous covering tackle preventing the score.
Blaenavon heads were now down and the Abertillery pack took the game by the 'scruff of the neck' leading to the next score on the half hour when tight head prop Dan Meredith cleaned up to score from what he would like to say was twenty metres in prop terms, but in reality was closer to two metres.
The home team were now down to the bare bones utilising all their subs and opting for passive scrums however with the clock running down it was left to wing Aled Penn to finish the game in some style as he left the home defence in tatters as he jinked past a series of defenders to score beneath the posts giving Chris Stevens the easiest of conversions.
FT 27-7
Abertillery's scheduled league match on the 27th December against Newport HSOB has been postponed until 11th February, they will however be playing a friendly fixture against Abercarn at the park on Monday 29th December kick-off 3pm.
Conditions: Wet, muddy and strong winds
Man of the Match: Tom Bowd, for his superb try saving tackle and forty meters plus relieving kick out of defence - Happy Birthday Tom.
|
OUR KID
|
Well done lads ! Good run out for the team yesterday against a determined blaenavon team,i think they were really looking for a scalp which are 2 leagues above themselves and fair play to them.It was good to see glimpses of what we can do when given the opportunity, but so far our dangermen just arnt getting the opportunitys which we're used to,but i think we are starting to turn the corner.Its abercarn up next who are unbeaten in their league this year so we should see if we are still turning that corner.
MERRY XMAS TO EVERYONE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
|
|
|
|