CROESYCEILIOG battled hard against old rivals Abergavenny but were well beaten 28-10 with the scoreline a true reflection of the difference in class between the teams.

The Cockerels had fared well in recent pre-season friendlies at Abergavenny, but when playing for real the home side were more streetwise, had more control and punished every Cockerels mistake.

However, Croesyceiliog had their moments and pushed Abergavenny all the way in the first half in which they recovered from an early 7-point deficit to storm into a deserved 10-7 lead.

Croesyceiliog's young scrum half Richie Williams was instrumental in his side's first try with a dummy and burst for the line with skipper Jason Lloyd on hand to claim the touchdown.

Matthew Enthwhistle converted and then added a try to put his side ahead. At this time Anthony Axford, Jason Lloyd, Julian Seabourne and Craig Saunders were all driving on well and taking the game to the home side and scrum half Richie Williams kept his side going forward with well judged box kicks.

The turning point came when the Cockerels conceded a soft try from a charge down on the stroke of half-time. They never recovered and started the second half a jaded side. A hat-trick of penalties and a couple of charge down kicks and Croesy were out of the game apart from the odd foray from Axford and Lloyd and Abergavenny sealed victory with a converted try.