Blackwood start promotion push with bonus point bang away from home. 

Blackwood started their hunt for Division 2 East glory with a bonus point against newly promoted Abercarn RFC. 

Tries from Ben Stokes, Sam Morris, Callum Gleadall and Morgan Evans saw the Wood run out a bonus point victory in their opening match of the league campaign.

The hosts fought for the win through two tries from Nicky Lloyd and Evan Miles but it wasn't enough for the division 2 East new boys. 
 

Blackwood grabbed an early lead to put themselves ahead through scrum half Ben Stokes. 
 

Stokes took a quick tap penalty on the hosts 22-metre line and chipped the ball into a gap in the backfield. 
 

The chance looked all but gone for the wood but a bounce in Stokes' favour saw him collect the ball and cross over for the opening score. 
 

The first half yielded no further scores but a flurry of chance for both sides enthralled both fans for a second half full of action. 
 

Abercarn flew out of the blocks and brought the scores level early into the second half through outside centre Nicky Lloyd. 
 

Blackwood tried to launch and attack from a scrum but a wide pass from flyhalf Callum Gleadall was plucked out of the air with a brilliant defensive read from Lloyd who had a one way ticket under the uprights to bring the scores level.

The visitors then stormed ahead through Sam Morris early into the second half. 

Stokes recieved the ball from number 8 Jordan Watkins off the back of a scrum and drew in two Abercarn defenders to present a huge gap for Morris. 

With some tight footwork and blistering speed Morris was able to touchdown to bring Blackwood back into the driving seat with a lead of 14-7 following a Gleadall conversion. 

Some clever play from young scrum half Cohan Williams to set up Evan Miles drew Abercarn level at 14-14. 

With a penalty advantage being called his way Williams wasted no time taking his quick tap and darting towards the Blackwood tryline. 

A lovely delayed pass set up Miles to crash his way through and level up the scores. 

Blackwood would break away and into the lead with a try from Gleadall set up this time by Morris. 

Morris turned scorer into provider off a scrum with a lovely delayed pass to play Gleadall into space with room to exploit. 

The flying fly half had no second guesses and put the hammer down to the line bringing Blackwood back into the lead. 

Blackwood capped off a solid performace with their fourth try earning them a season opening bonus point through electric winger Morgan Evans. 

A loose play in the Blackwood 22 had Gleadall back peddling but a moment of magic saw the flyhalf break away and race down the field. 

With Evans in support Gleadall fed the winger who never looked back and secured a bonus point win on the road for his side. 

Blackwood now face Blaina RFC in their next league fixture and will be hoping to build on this performance. 

Written By Max Drinkwater-James