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News
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13.12.2011 - Preview: Aberavon v Esher
Aberavon play their last British & Irish Cup game of the season this Saturday when
they welcome RFU Championship side Esher to the Talbot Athletic Ground,
kick off 2:30pm.
Surrey side Esher are currently bottom of The Championship having lost
all 14 of their league games this season. They were formed in 1923 by
four rugby enthusiasts who met in a pub. One of them was originally from
Newport and he insisted that the club play in Black & Amber. Esher won
promotion to the National Leagues in 1997-98 where they finished fourth
that season and secured a place in National Division One ten years
later. Competing with the likes of London Welsh, Esher finished mid
table. They were relegated the season after when the RFU reformed their
leagues and introduced a 12 team "Championship". In 2009-10, Esher won
29 of their 30 games, finished top of the National Division 1, and were
promoted to The Championship. Last Season, in their first season in the
division, they finished in the bottom four but secured their place for
this season by winning in the relegation play-offs.
In the British & Irish Cup, Esher have lost at Bedford (30 - 62), won at
home to London Scottish (43 - 10), but lost to Leinster also at home (18
- 32). Saturday's game will be Esher's last game in the British & Irish
Cup
this season.
The referee for Saturday’s game is Johann Van Der Merwe (Scotland),
aided by touch judges Julian Smith and Stuart Vaudin.
Other British & Irish Cup games taking place this weekend involving Welsh
clubs are:
- Neath v Plymouth
- Pontypridd v Leeds Carnegie
- Bedford v Llanelli
- Doncaster v Swansea
- Cornish Pirates v Cross Keys
Premiership games taking place this weekend are:
- Bedwas (10th) v Tonmawr (14th) (Tonmawr won the corresponding
fixture last season 28 - 21)
- Bridgend (5th) v Pontypool (12th)
- Carmarthen Quins (9th) v Newport (13th) (Newport won last season
30 - 14)
In the evening, after the Esher game, there will be a
Race Night held in the clubhouse.
Update (16.12.2011) - Team Announcement
Aberavon Starting XV: Ricky Thomas; Richard Carter, Ben John, Will Price, Richard Thomas; Jamie Davies, David Pritchard; Rowan Jenkins, Marc Breeze, Will Taylor, Gavin Ronan, Sam Williams, Darryl Thomas, Richard Morris, Nathan
Brown.
Replacements: James Donovan, Craig Evans, Gareth Harvey, Nathan Strong, Rhydian Gierat, Anthony Edwards, Lloyd
Howell.
Esher Starting XV: Rob Kirby; Charlie Ingall, Joe Brown, Richard
Mill, Sam Edgerley; Guy Swadling, Jamie Mackenzie; Ollie Mines, James
Campbell, Ricky Nebbett, Ian Kench, Matt Symons, Alex Hughes, Shawn
Renwick, John Downey.
Replacements: Robin Boot, James Doherty, Sweeney Neil,
Kevin Corrigan, Luke Daniels, Patrick O’Grady, Jamie See.
(Click here for earlier news)
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