Pontllanfraith have started the league season with a victory for the first time since beating Brynmawr in the league opener eight years ago. Despite outscoring Aberbeeg 3 tries to 0, the boot of Aberbeegs full back kept them in the game, kicking all 5 of his penalty attempts.
After a scrappy opening, Aberbeeg opened the scoring after a scrum infringement allowed them to slot their first of 5 penalties. A series of strong scrums from Pont started to pile pressure onto the home team and when Pont got a scrum 5 meters out, quick hands down the blindside put the winger over in the corner. Aberbeeg hit back immediately with another penalty but Pont restored their lead when the backs sliced through Aberbeeg with some nice hands from deep inside their own half and Dan Morgan raced home the try. Another penalty brought Aberbeeg back to within a point before they went down the 14 men after recieving a yellow card just before half time.
Pontllanfraith started the second half strongly and made the extra man count and after some sustained possesion and good territory, No 8 Richard Meyrick brushed off tackles to go over from 5 yards out. Pont's momentum was then dented after some counter rucking turned into fisty cuffs and Pont lost flanker Karl Fallon to a soft red card. Aberbeeg spirits lifted but never really threatened Pont's try line despite having the extra man for half hour. Both team's traded penalties to make it 12-18. Aberbeeg made changes in the front row and now were dominating the scrum exchanges and after another penalty brought them to within 3 points, Pont were in for a nervy last 5 minutes, but retained possession and run down the clock to take victory.
Final Score: Aberbeeg 15-18 Pontllanfraith
Tries: Dan Morgan, Richard Meyrick Pen: Dan Morgan
Man of the Match: Richard Meyrick
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