Shock draw is a wake up call for 'Togger.

Abertogger's season stalled yesterday as Kings Road College fought out a 24-all draw at Greenlands.

'Togger looked to be strolling at half-time, leading 21 - 6 before the pivotal moment in the game, centre Leighton Krish swinging a punch at College Open-side Flanker Henri de Lucs after a heated exchange of words.

Mike Strutt commented 'Leighton has been wound-up by something that was said, we'll deal with that matter later but for now, Leighton must understand that you need to keep your cool out there. It's a moment of stupidity that has changed the game.'

The game started with good attacks from both teams but Abertogger took the lead through a try from Yannick Berr. Ashleigh Joubert's up-and-under being left to bounce over the try line and Berr was quickest to react, adding the extra two points without trouble.

Kings Road responded with a penalty and drop-goal in quick succession from Outside Half Mark Fox before 'Togger broke away through Lemington Cash, side-stepping through the defence like a Cat. Berr converted.

Stefan de Buynd was the unlikely scorer of the third try, picking up from a ruck 3 metres out and Berr easily slotting the extras.

The 45th minute saw the moment of madness from Krish. A big tackle from College flanker De Lucs was followed up with a 'shout-off' between the two ending in Krish swinging the punch and De Lucs rolling around on the floor. The red-card was the only option.

College capitalised with the penalty bringing it to 21-9 before Berr added a drop-goal of his own. Enter Kings Road new signing, No.8 Jessi Plomme, the Dutch Born Frenchman powering over for two tries, one of which was converted to make it 24-21 with only seconds remaining. 'Togger looked to be holding out until a knock-on gave College possession and the resulting attack leading to a penalty as Freddy Dex was blamed for hands in the ruck. 24-all and 'Togger will be reeling after this.

Full results to follow...

Strutt names team for first home game

Mike Strutt has named a strong team to face Kings Road College on Sunday 28th March. After his team blitzed a poor Pontyduw outfit at Unicorn park, his team now look set to play in front of a full house at Greenlands.

Hooker Tristan Sawyer comes in to replace Timmy Jones whilst Lemington Cash takes up the right wing in place of Leon Bunt.

Those are the only two changes to last wednesday's team and Strutt explained that competition for places is heating up. 'It's getting pretty intense in training' said Strutt, 'The boys are giving it their all, the contact sessions have been at a great intensity and metally, i'm looking the break people.'

Sunday's game marks a landmark for referee Mickey Spies, who will reach 250 first class games.

The team for Sunday 29th March 2009 v Kings Road College @ Greenlands:

15. Simon Jones
14. Lemington Cash
13. Ashleigh Joubert
12. Leyton Krish
11. Joe Swift
10. Yannick Berr
9. Olly McCall

1. Oswald Bock
2. Tristan Sawyer 3. Stefan de Buynd
4. Gethin Raffe
5. Nathan Poynt
6. Manu Tuivaki
8. Cerrig Davies
7. Freddy Dex

Reps: Michael Smith, Timmy S Jones, Billy Johns, Chaz Williams, Pepe Salvo, Thomas M Jones, Eoghan Fitzpatrick.

New league investment sparks street party

The Premier Rugby Union League announced a sponsorship deal at today's annual Goat show.

A deal has been struck with Tondu-based goat milk producers 'Squeeze' meaning the the Premier Rugby Union league will be known as the 'Squeeze' league with effect from next year.

The announcements sparked carnival0like celebrations in Abertogger as the club faced uncertaintly over it's future as the league had not secured a sponsor. One local said 'this day has been coming for a while, Rugby is what brings us together, it's who we are and what we're made of. Seeing it continue at this level in Abertogger will unite us all.'

Managing director of Squeeze Holdings, John Baber commented, 'We're well aware of the growing status of this league and we're happy to have struck up a deal which will benefit both parties. Seeing Sqeeze signs all over grounds in Wales will make me a happy man.'

The deal, reported to be worth £2,000,000 over the next two years, will give the league a much needed boost and rivals the lucrative deal given to the new Norwegian League by Polly's Crisps.

Pontyduw crushed in season opener.

Abertogger produced a magnificent display of running rugby under the floodlit Unicorn Park at Pontyduw yesterday, winning 43-5 to get the season of to a flying start.

Pontyduw, expected to struggle after ex-owner Bobby Style, whose felt-tip pen manufacturing company (Tipsy) went into liquidation last month, were forced to sell off 10 of their players during the off-season. It left them struggling for a team at the start of March but local butcher Tony Reeno has come to the rescue bringing in some new names to stabilise the club.

However, it was Pontyduw who started strongest, catching Abertogger cold from the kick-off when Lee Waye caught the kick-off and chipped over Abertogger wing Joe Swift to score.

Swift quickly replied though with a simple run-in after a series of strong scrums from Abertogger. Two converted tries quickly followed from inside centre Leighton Krish who, on both occasions, run over his opposite number Ted Miller. Berr added the extras.

Berr then slotted over a penalty after Pontyduw prop John Small was sin-binned for a diving headbutt on Berr himself.

the second half saw a string of beautiful moves from Abertogger which ended in three tries. New boy Ashleigh Joubert benefited from Olly McCall's break off a lovely back-row move, Berr converting, before try of the day was scored by Krish, giving him a hat-rick. Berr's scissor with Joubert opening up the Pontyduw defence and Krish on hand to support his centre-partner followed by a successful Berr conversion.
The third second half try, a well worked backs move, opened a gap for full back Simon Jones to get on the score sheet, Berr converting again.

The bonus point win leaves Abertogger top of the table after the first round of fixtures. Head Coach Mike Strutt revealed his joy at the performance saying 'We've come here to do a job and I'm happy we've done it. Pontyduw were never going to lie down and roll over, but we've given it to them good.'

Results 25th March 2009

Aberlliedi 31 - 12 Talbot Bay XV
Barrington Browns 25 - 22 Walton Willows
Barry Island NRFC 5 - 8 Kings Road College
Gogledd United 19 - 3 The Valleys
Pontyduw 5 - 43 Abertogger RFC
Wangle Road 0 - 17 Eagles

Heated debate at team announcement

Abertogger named the XV to face Pontyduw at Unicorn Park this afternoon. Mike Strutt's men faced another media frenzy ahead of the new season launch.

The press conference didn't go without controversy, with one journalist claiming that Abertogger's new badge, sporting the famous Abertogger Polo, looked like a 'fried egg'. John Pert, spokesperson for Abertogger replied 'I think it's insulting to the town that the colours of Abertogger and the famous Polo sign are being ridiculed in such a way. It's something we should be proud of, and are proud of.'

Abertogger is famous for the Polo factory which sits on Abertogger Bay, employing the majority of workers in the town.

The line-up was pretty much as expected with the 3 new signings making their debuts.

Team for Pontyduw at Unicorn Park 25.03.09. K.o. 7.30PM:

15. Simon Jones
14. Leon Bunt
13. Ashleigh Joubert
12. Leyton Krish
11. Joe Swift
10. Yannick Berr
9. Olly McCall

1. Oswald Bock
2. Timmy S Jones
3. Stefan de Buynd
4. Gethin Raffe
5. Nathan Poynt
6. Manu Tuivaki
8. Cerrig Davies
7. Freddy Dex

Reps: Michael Smith, Peter Davies, Billy Johns, Chaz Williams, Pepe Salvo, Thomas M Jones, Eoghan Fitzpatrick.

Referee: Owen Smile

2009 Squad announced

Abertogger have announced this seasons squad in the midst of a media scrum. After announcing the high profile signings of Matti Tuivaki and Ethan Fitzpatrick from New Zealand, Abertogger surprised the media with the unveiling of new Welsh prodigy Simon Jones, tipped to captain the national Under 20's side at this years world cup competition.

Coach Mike Strutt opened the conference saying 'Abertogger now has to carry the expectation of this town on it's shoulders. Not only have we brought in experienced players to guide us, we've mixed it up with a few youngsters to bring in the energy.' In his normal controversy-seeking manner, Strutt then commented, 'My C*** is on the block here, these guys better perform for me.'

The squad for 2009 is as follows:

Prop: M Smith, B Jones, O Bock, S de Buynd, A Adams

Hooker: T.S Jones, T Sawyer, P Davies

Lock: G Raffe, N Poynt (Capt), J Evans, M Lewis, C Williams

Back Row: M Tuivaki, B Johns, C Davies, D Hughes, P Timmons, F Dex

Scrum Half: O McCall, R Hodges, P Salvo

Outside Half: M Morris, E Jones, Y Berr

Centre: L Krish, A Joubert, T.M Jones, A Davies

Wings: L Cash, E Fitzpatrick, J Swift, L Bunt

Full Back: S Jones, R Murray

Abertogger RFC - Welcome to the beginning of a new era.

This is Abertogger RFC, a rugby club of the traditional era. Full of drama, pain, laughs and tears. Well...not so many tears.

Each week in Abertogger's existence we'll be bringing you the highs and lows of the season along with the gossip and antics within Rugby's newest club.


The Background...


Founded in 2009 by Chairman Alan Owl, Abertogger joined the Premier Rugby Union League by invitation after an impressive string of friendly results and some much needed investment. Now playing in front of regular crowds of up to 5,000, the Welsh Rugby Board, a new foundation aiming to bring a brighter outlook to rugby in Wales, invited Abertogger into their new competition.

Speaking at the launch meeting of Abertogger's new-look team, Mr Owl was looking forward to the season ahead saying 'This is an exciting time for Abertogger. We're a new team with fresh ideas. The whole town is waiting in anticipation.' Wise words from a wise man.

Abertogger's campaign kicks off away to Pontyduw on Wedneday 25th March 2008 as the Welsh Rugby Board tries out it's new season dates.