Rockfield Rovers - 1

Abergavenny Thursdays - 2

THE Abergavenny Thursdays U13 team ended their season in style by winning the Mark Watkins Cup after beating East Gwent League winners Rockfield Rovers at the home of Caldicot FC.

The Thursdays were runners up in the league, so the two sides were pretty evenly matched.

With most of the play confined to the middle of the park, both teams battled well for the ball but Rockfield had the advantage of playing with a strong wind at their backs for the first 45 minutes.

However, they failed to capitalise and both teams went into the interval all square at 0-0.

Halfway through the second-half, Rockfield drew first blood with a well taken goal by Owen Walters.

The strike ignited the match and with ten minutes left on the clock, Rockfield looked for the killing blow.

However, the Thursdays made the most of their elemental edge when central defender and man of the match Sam Rashpt equalised from the halfway line with a big and bouncy powerhouse of a strike which was carried by the wind and gave the keeper no chance.

Five minutes later and Thursdays striker Jack Mayo broke Rockfield hearts when he got his foot to the ball and lobbed the Rockfield keeper after a bit of a melee in the box.

A frantic Rockfield threw everything at the Thursdays in the remaining minutes, but the Aber players dug, deep, stayed staunch, and cleared each successive attack in a cool, calm and collected fashion until the final whistle.

A spokesperson for the Thursdays told the Chronicle, "We'd like to say a very well done to all the lads from both teams for what was a great effort on the day, and also for the season as a whole.

"Coach Rob Baynton, who after a number of years of coaching has stepped down, has done an amazing job with the team. A cup win is an amazing way for him to sign off. Thank you Rob you will be missed by everyone at the club and all the parents of the players."

Pictured are the Abergavenny Thursdays U13 side with their coach Rob Baynton.

Back Row, left to right: Morgan Lewis-Prosser, James Auralius, Rob Baynton (coach), Josh Baynton, Joe Tanti, Lloyd Walker, Evan Musto.

Front Row, left to Right: Cory Wright, Curtis Methvyn, Jack Mayo, Tom Beddis, Ben Symonds, Jake Saunders, Sam Rashpt, and Zach Oxtoby.