Jump to main content

REPORT: Squire’s late salvo hands Abergavenny dramatic Bowl win

Abergavenny celebrate their WRU National Bowl success over Oakdale

Abergavenny celebrate their WRU National Bowl success over Oakdale

Anthony Squire scored a dramatic 86th minute try as Abergavenny claimed a thrilling WRU National Bowl victory with a 27-23 success over Oakdale.

Share this page:

Abergavenny – captained by former Wales international Nathan Thomas – won it in the bravest of fashions as they came from 23-8 to lift silverware.

Trailing by three points with the clock in the red, Thomas opted to turn down a kickable penalty which would have levelled the game and seen the trophy shared, to search for a winning try.

It arrived as Squire – who scored a match-winning extra-time try in the semi-final – went over in the corner.

Oakdale went to the break 11-8 ahead to the good thanks to a try from Kyle Tudge and two penalties from fly-half Simon Veall.

Abergavenny replacement Nathan Byrne scored his team’s try with man of the match Nathan Williams adding a penalty.

In the second half Oakdale took control with tries from Veall, Matthew Davies, but Abergavenny came roaring back thanks to a second from Byrne, a Dan Horler effort and Squire’s late salvo.

The two teams will now reconvene their battle for title success in WRU National League 3 East A.

On a pristine surface Abergavenny were the more dangerous side early on with Jacob Butler a dangerous threat on the left wing with a couple of breaks.

He was pulled back on one occasion for a forward pass from centre James Lewis inside him.

Oakdale No 8 Jordan Wall responded with a barnstorming break and when the ball was spread back left, full-back Tudge made the most of the space given to him for an easy finish.

The conversion went wide, but Abergavenny were dealt another blow as Butler was injured trying to prevent the score and had to be replaced.

Thankfully the winger was OK as he left the field on his feet.

Abergavenny got themselves on the board with a penalty from full-back Williams and they were held up over the line as they pushed for a try.

One soon arrived as the ball was spread left where Butler’s replacement Byrne finished in the corner. Williams’ conversion attempt went wide.

Veall’s penalty for Oakdale levelled the game up at 8-8 and the fly-half then nailed a monster of a second penalty to send his team to the break ahead.

Abergavenny wing Squire had been tackled into touch as he went for the line just before half time and Veall missed with a penalty effort when the game resumed.

Wall charged for the corner again before Veall was again awry from the kicking tee, but he soon made amends with a try underneath the sticks after brushing off his opposite number Rhodri Webster and spinning to the line.

Veall converted his own score.

Oakdale were now dominant and hooker Davies crashed over from close range before the hour mark to make the game safe. This time Veall’s kick was hooked wide.

Byrne grabbed his second of the day and pulled one back for Abergavenny with a stunning finish in the corner. Television match official Tim Hayes confirmed the score.

The conversion went narrowly wide, but Abergavenny now had a sniff of a comeback.

Fly-half Webster was at the heart of things and his team grabbed another when replacement Horler made the line and Williams converted.

Oakdale centre Josh Thomas was yellow carded late on for a no-arms tackle and incessant Abergavenny pressure earned them a penalty.

A three-point shot was turned down by Thomas and his decision was rewarded as Squire sent his team into dreamland and man of the match Williams kicked the conversion.

Scorers:
Abergavenny:
Tries: Nathan Byrne (2), Dan Horler, Anthony Squire
Conversions: Nathan Williams (2)
Penalty: Nathan Williams

Oakdale
Tries: Kyle Tudge, Simon Veall, Matthew Davies
Conversions: Simon Veall
Penalties: Simon Veall (2)

Partners and Suppliers

Principal Partners
Principality
Official Broadcast Partners
BBC Cymru/Wales
S4C
Official Partners
Heineken
Isuzu
Guinness