Coach's fury after 'embarrassing' loss (From Free Press Series)

Coach's fury after 'embarrassing' loss

ABERGAVENNY coach Keith Newell has slammed his side's dismal display against Premiership front runners Sully saying he was "embarrassed" by his side's lack of professionalism and commitment.

The Avenue Road side was hammered in a match that revealed their true vulnerability as one of the Premiership's newly promoted sides.

Last season Abergavenny had the luxury of being the best side in Division One. This time around Keith Newell's men will be on a hiding to nothing if they don't buck up their ideas and realise how tough the Premiership really is.

"It's down to the players at the end of the day. I think they are assuming they are going to stay up no matter what, but it's more than that. I want to be halfway through the season and in with a chance of winning the league. Their ambition has to match mine.

"It was very embarrassing as a captain and coach to watch us lose that way. Maybe for these guys this is their hobby. Maybe they are lacking the ambition to do well in the league. I have to ask myself do they want to do well. No matter what level you play at the ambition should be the same," fumed Newell.

Playing a reduced innings of 36 because of the weather Abergavenny looked sluggish and non-competitive. Bowling first Jonathan Newell took 3-32, while Craig Barnsley, Kyle Holmes and Andrew Cole all chipped in with a wicket a piece.

Sully though still managed to pile on the runs, while Abergavenny's batters looked fragile in reply - a measly 18 from Gavin Heritage their best - as Newell's men slumped to a crushing 115-run defeat.

Speaking more on the disastrous result Newell blasted: "It went just about as bad as it could have."

"They totally played us of the park and from the first ball were completely in charge. Their whole tempo was geared towards winning. We were never in the hunt. They did everything better than us.

"Our guys turned up 25 minutes late, which just wound me up. Sully are a well drilled side. They were on time and doing everything right whereas I was standing with three other guys wondering where my players were and whether they want to do well. Sully just had one step up on us from that moment and it remained like that for the match."

Abergavenny with one win and one defeat in their opening two games couldn't face a tougher challenge after Saturday's numbing game against Sully. Title challengers Cardiff await Newell's side though he is remaining hopeful.

"We have to really turn it around 180 degrees and pull out a good effort because if we play like this again we will lose by a hundred runs. Hopefully we will be a bit more switched on."

The club welcome back Lee James and James Didcote for the trip to Cardiff. The match bats off at 1pm, while Abergavenny's Welsh Cup game at Croesyceiliog on Sunday starts at 2pm.