Fixture

As expected in a game between the only two unbeaten sides in the league this match proved to be a hard fought, close run encounter. The dreadful weather experienced over the last months meant that the Llwynon Lane pitch was extremely wet and heavy under foot. Playing down the slope in the first half Abercarn started brightly and were first on the scoreboard when outside-half Jamie Baker was successful with a penalty kick. This seemed to spur on the home side as slowly Oakdale upped their game and began to dominate position and possession. They were able to pressurise the visitor's scrums, and from a knock on the ball was passed swiftly along their three quarters and centre Josh Thomas scored a try. The conversion was unsuccessful and at halftime the score was 5 points to 3 to the home side.

Despite being on the back foot throughout much of the first half, the Abercarn side took the initiative after the restart and began to take the game back to Oakdale. The atrocious conditions underfoot meant that there was little in the way of open flowing rugby with both sets of forwards running hard at each other and testing defences. The only score of the half came when, after the game had been stopped to allow the home side to bring on replacements, scrum-half Rhys Morgan got the nod from the referee to restart, took a quick tap penalty and crossed over the whitewash unopposed before Oakdale could organise their defences. Baker duly added the two points. The game ebbed and flowed with neither side giving any quarter and to the relief of the visiting supporters and no doubt the players the referee finally blew for full time.

Back at their clubhouse Abercarn's man of the match award went to flanker Jordan Richards. Fixtures Secretary Martin Hopkins is currently pulling out what little hair he has left trying to rearrange matches. Our next game is currently at home to New Tredegar on Wednesday 16th March, kick-off 7:00pm to be played at Newbridge Welfare ground.