Fixture

After dropping out of the league last season Forgeside made a return to league action with a home derby to Abersychan. It was a wet and windy start to the game which proved tough for both goal kickers with a long distance shot missed by Mike Grout. 

It was Abersychan that crossed the line first from a 5m pushover try.  Forgeside started to add pressure on the visitors with powerful running from Daniel Williams, Bradley Jenkins, Ioan Williams and Jack Swinn. 

With pressure on the visitors penalties started to add up it was only a matter of time before a yellow card was given. Forgeside took advantage from this after lineouts drives controlled by Oillie White. Bradley Jenkins crashed over to claim Forgeside first league try of the season. 

With the visitors down to 14 Forgeside was again on the attack with a line break from centre Aeron Pearce another penalty from following ruck Forgeside found themselves back into the top corner. After several attempts from Owen Tucker, Garin Bright and Leighton williams it was Bradley Jenkins again popping up to crash over the line. 

HT 10-7 

Changes at half time with leaun Pearce on at scrum half Luke Wright on at hooker for injury Leighton Williams. 

The 2nd half started as the 1st ended with Forgeside adding pressure on to Abersychan but this could not be turned into points. This then turned with Aberyschan now using the ball and creating problems for the home side. 

Tackles made by backs Matt Meredith, Ben Penry and Daniel Fieldhouse was keeping the visitors out. 

More changes made with Jack Swinn coming off and jaime Ireland on. Mike grout off and new signing Joel parry on. And the evergreen Stephen Parfitt coming out of semi retirement to replace Owen Tucker. 

With pressure mounting on Forgeside penalties started to come. For the last 10 minutes Forgeside had to play with 13 men with Aeron Pearce and Ioan Williams both being sent to the sin bin. Aber took this to full advantage with a tap penalty and burst only for the ref to disallow the try as short. 

Forgeside dug deep and was able to get out of it own half and force a penalty within kicking range. With only a minute left this was pushed wide and a 15 man Aber began the attack. After several phases the visitors were back into the home teams half and with a two man overlap a certain try looked on the cards but winger Peter Walker made a match winning tackle at the death to stop the attack. 

Final score Forgeside 10-7 Abersychan 

Head coach Jason Bright said “i am pleased with attitude of my players and how well we defended. We have got a bit to work in this week ahead of our cup game next week to Usk but I am happy with the W to start the league off” 

Captain Daniel Fieldhouse “thank you to Abersychan for the tough game it was a typical derby and we will have a few sore players. We will look forward to the return fixture in December” 

Man of the match 

Bradley Jenkins 

Match referee 

Richard Wilks (Blackwood)