It's snow joke for Aber (From Free Press Series)

It's snow joke for Aber

Abergavenny 5 Pontypool United 11

A BAD day at the office for outside half James Didcote cost his side a much needed victory at Bailey Park on Saturday, as the Division Three East side slumped to their ninth defeat in seventeen games.

Three penalty misses by the so often consistent goal kicker proved decisive, as coach Mark Lloyd's men failed to ignite on a snow-spattered pitch.

Officials had done well to get the worst of the white stuff off the field earlier that day, but an uninspired Aber-gavenny side could do little to match their hard efforts.

The club's fortunes have taken a drastic turn for the worse this year, after such a convincing turn around in form when coach Mark Lloyd arrived last autumn.

In early January, Abergavenny were dark horses for the title, after a string of brilliant victories.

But in the flick of a coin, their form began to dwindle, leaving them stuck in mid-table and left to rue what might have been.

Team manager Steve Hamer was the first to admit his disappointment, but called on the side to remain focused and aim for as high a finish in the table they can.

"On Saturday we showed a lot of grit, but we lacked composure, particularly with our kicking. It's very disappointing that things have gone like this. What we need to do now is look to the future and try out new things with the side," he said.

Hamer said the club has been boosted by a new Welsh Rugby Union ruling that allows all games to go ahead, regardless of whether a side has enough props to field a front row.

Before, games were automatically cancelled if the correct number of props was not available, but now games will be given the go-ahead with scrums being played as 'uncontested'.

"This is great news for us, because it should mean more of our second team games going ahead now.

"The Quins haven't being getting many games meaning some players have had to go without matches. Now we have two sides and more options, so we can develop some of the younger guys here for the future," said Hamer.

This weekend Abergaven-ny are away to Newport Saracens without the experience of Rob McGormack and Simon Rose, both of whom are injured. Hamer, though, has his fingers crossed.

"On paper they're a strong side and playing very well. The capabilities are there in our side. We just need to click again and rediscover that confidence."

Contact the club for more details on where and when Saturday's game will be played as this is a rearranged fixture.