ABERGAVENNY 1st XV gave high-flying Abertillery Blaenau Gwent a run for their money in a firecracker of a game at Bailey Park on Saturday before going down to a 39-20 defeat.

An Abergavenny player forces his way to the line
An Abergavenny player forces his way to the line. Photo: Delwyn Edwards Photography (Delwyn Edwards Photography)

Anthony Squire, Alfie Lewis and Ben Evans went over the whitewash for Aber, while Dan Haymond kicked a penalty and a conversion in a hard fought game where the final scoreline possibly flattered the Green Army.

Abergavenny gave the new league leaders a tough challenge
Abergavenny gave the new league leaders a tough challenge. Photo: Delwyn Edwards Photography (Delwyn Edwards Photography)

The result leaves the hosts fifth in WRU East One, a point ahead of Monmouth who beat Bedlinog 28-27 at home on Saturday, with Abertillery BG's win seeing them leapfrog the latter to the top of the table.

An Abergavenny back spots some space
An Abergavenny back spots some space. Photo: Delwyn Edwards Photography (Delwyn Edwards Photography)

Meanwhile, Brynmawr's Championship East struggles continued as they trailed 35-0 at half-time away to high-flying Penallta.

An Abergavenny player tries to break free of the Green Army's shackles
An Abergavenny player tries to break free of the Green Army's shackles. Photo: Delwyn Edwards Photography (Delwyn Edwards Photography)

But the 2023/24 East One champions showed character after the break to edge the second period 14-5 at the Ystrad Mynach Centre of Excellence, with the final score 40-14.

Mawr stay second from bottom, with a home match against Treorchy up next this Saturday (November 9).

Blaenavon meanwhile edged a basement East One thriller 31-30 away to bottom side Pontypool United to lift them five points clear of the dropzone.

But Usk missed out to East 2 leaders Blackwood 39-24 at home, leaving them sixth.

Nantyglo held on for an 18-15 home win over Chepstow in East 3 however, with the visitors missing a last-gasp penalty kick to level, and the winners leapfrogging their rivals to seventh on points scored difference.

Crickhowell went second in E4 after another gutsy 22-19 win at Llanhilleth, overhauling Gwernyfed to move into the promotion spots thanks to the latter drawing 27 all at leaders RTB Ebbw Vale.

But Blaenavon's Forgeside were edged out 19-18 at home to bottom side Pontllanfraith to slip into the drop zone.

Abergavenny Quins also lost out 49-7 at home to Bedwas Barbarians in the Dragons League, with their next game home to Newport High School Old Boys on Saturday, November 16.

Other fixtures this Saturday (November 9) include – Senghenydd v Abergavenny, Usk v Cwmbran, Oakdale v Nantyglo, Pontllanfraith v Crickhowell.

Meanwhile, Abergavenny RFC’s clubhouse will be open this Sunday afternoon (November 10) for the screening of the Wales v Fiji game, kick-off 1.40pm,.

The Bailey Park club will also be screening Wales v Australia (Sunday, November 17, kick-off 4.10pm), and Wales v South Africa (Saturday, November 23, kick-off 5.40pm) .