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Abertillery BG will be playing in Division
Three East next season.
Following Talywain's withdrawal from the division, their
record has been expunged by the WRU regulatory committee.
Consequently, points gained against them by opponents have
been removed and with Abertillery not having yet played
the eastern valley side, it leaves the Green & Whites six
points clear of promotion rivals, Nantyglo with only one
game left and thus unassailable as runners up behind
Gwernyfed. The promotion is the
second successive progression for Abertillery following
their fall to Division Five East after failing to raise a
side five seasons back. The revival in the club's fortunes
comes exactly a hundred years after they won the
Monmouthshire League in 1908 and then drew with the
Wallabies, which led to the team being recognised as a
first-class club.
Many attribute the club's failure to
raise side back in 2003 due to its stance not to pay
players to play. Dropping from Division 2 to Division 5
East as a result, many feared for the future of rugby in
the town. But the result was in fact the rebirth of the
club which had taken on board on Blaenau Gwent as it
returned to its local roots. New coaches Paul Rossiter and
Mike James recruited instead through the youth ranks,
sprinkled with some Abertillery old boys. The first two
seasons in Division 5 East were successful with top five
finishes before the club was promoted in 2006-2007 as
champions with just one defeat away at Gwernyfed, who were
also promoted.
This season, Gwernyfed deservedly also
gained a second successive promotion, this time as
champions having pipped the Green & Whites in both
encounters by a single point in high-quality games. We are
sure that Tillery supporters will offer their
congratulations to the Talgarth side and sincere
commiserations to promotion rivals, Nantyglo and also
Rhiwbina, the only side to inflict defeat on the Green &
Whites other than the champions.
So next season, we will renew our league
acquaintances with Blaina and Rhymney and others as well
as meeting some new opponents such as Croseyceiliog and
Cwmbran.
I am sure that all supporters at the
club wish to offer our thanks and gratitude to the
players, coaches, management staff and committee for their
tireless efforts. The supporters too deserve praise as a
sixteenth man in many games, especially away.
With the youth also having gained
promotion and the mini and juniors sides thriving - thanks
to all the people and youngsters involved there - the future of
Abertillery rugby seems much brighter than for many years.
Well done to all - come on the Green & Whites!
DrD |
