Time to get 'shirty' (From Free Press Series)

Time to get 'shirty'

ABERGAVENNY team manager Steve Hamer has called on his team to start playing for the jersey, after the Bailey Park side slumped to its third defeat in a row - this time away at the fast-improving Talywain.

"The lads have to start knuckling down again and show some dedication. It's pride of jersey time," insisted Hamer.

This was the Division Three East side's worst performance since coach Mark Lloyd took over last Autumn.

Complacency and an underlining lack of resolve and belief cost the one-time title dark horses, who, up until three weeks ago, were one of the real contenders for promotion.

"It was terrible, absolutely terrible," was Hamer's summing up. He went on: "I think Talywain have improved over the last few weeks and we knew that, but they were just more up for it than us.

"The scoreline does not quite reflect the game, but they had powerful forwards running at the ball with pace, and we were in pieces.

"We just couldn't get a platform together and that was very frustrating. We just weren't concentrating.

"Complacency and a lack of that platform cost us on Saturday. We couldn't cut them open enough and there was no support when we rarely did.

"Too often than not we would be pushing forward and then they would get the ball and be on our tryline."

Yet, despite conceding defeat and any realistic hopes of promotion, Hamer assured the club there was still a place in the top half of the table to play for.

"There are still eight games left and other teams in there who can easily slip up. We can still be in the top half of the league.

"We have to look to win every game and build our confidence back. I have to admit, though, after Saturday, things are looking dismal."

Abergavenny now have what Hamer describes as a timely two-week break and he hopes the side uses it to find their feet again, and focus on one final charge in the closing months of the season.

"The two weeks off have definitely come at a good time. It gives us a chance to recover from any injuries and rediscover that winning mentality again.

"We will knuckle down in training and resolve any issues there might be," he concluded.