Fixture

Abercarn secured promotion to the second division with a hard fought win over Chepstow. As expected the home side proved to be a hard nut to crack as they were also in the hunt for the final promotion place along with Caldicot. Although the visitors were first on the scoreboard when outside half Jamie Baker kicked a penalty, it was the home side that had the initial edge in the match. They were a more cohesive unit across the forwards and three quarters and Abercarn were guilty of poor decision making and sloppy play. After a period of pressure Chepstow got their first score when their pack drove over the line and at half-time led by 7 points to 3.

Shortly after the restart Baker drew Abercarn closer with another penalty. However, immediately from the restart when, not for the first time, Abercarn failed to collect a kick-off a Chepstow player collected the ball and almost without a hand being laid on them crossed the whitewash to score a converted try. This galvanised the visitors whose forwards started to build momentum and grab the game by the scruff of the neck. From an attacking lineout they drove strongly for the line and back rower Greg Baker scored his 6^th try of the season. His younger brother duly added the two points. With time ticking away Abercarn were awarded a penalty just inside the Chepstow half and, man-of-the-match Baker stepped up to regain the lead by 16 points to 14. The referee’s final whistle was met by much relief and joy by the Abercarn players and supporters alike. Abercarn have two matches left to play in the League and know what they have to do if they want to win it outright.