Abergavenny 22 Pontypool 41
Division Three East side Abergavenny put up a tremendous battle against the Division One East champions Pontypool before being beaten 41-22.
Abergavenny coach Jason Strange, who still dons the No.10 shirt for Bristol, said he was very proud of his team who didn’t look out of their depth against their more experienced opponents for a long period – only to be undone by Pontypool’s snappy start and finish to the game.
Pooler, who will be returning to the Welsh Premiership next season, rattled up 19 points in the first 14 minutes and added another 22 points in the last quarter as their opponents understandably ran out of steam.
Pontypool’s young lock Sam Pailor was named man of the match after capping a dynamic display by scoring two of his team’s seven tries. The others came from flanker Ben Salt (2), fullback Darren Pearce, wing Gavin Fergusson and No.8 Nicky Coughlin. Centre Phil Price (2) and replacement back Geraint O’Driscoll added conversions.
Abergavenny, promoted to Division Two East next term, crossed for three tries by No.8 James Williams, wing Richard McCormack and replacement forward Ollie Field. Outside half Steve Lang dropped a goal and kicked two conversions.
Mr. Martin Anderson, Regional Director, Coors Brewers, presented winning Pontypool captain Leighton Jones with the cup at the end of the game.
This was the first time for Pontypool to enter the Ben Francis Cup. For many years it was the cup competition of the teams in the old Monmouthshire League (the old “second class” clubs). Since the introduction of National Leagues back in 1990, the tournament has changed its format. Now, they take eight teams in the District A of the WRU (the old Monmouthshire County) with the best record over the first 10 matches in their respective leagues, and put them in for the draw on a knock-out basis.
The cup was first played for in the 1925-26 season when Risca beat Ynysddu 3-0 at Pandy Park, Cross Keys. The donor, Ben Francis, was an Abertillery business man who was one of the founders of the big Abertillery clothing store Bon Marche.
Pontypool beat Caldicot (away) 67-5 in the quarter-final and then triumphed over Nantyglo 17-7 at Emlyn Park, Talywain in the semi-final.