Michael Fish, the weatherman, promised us a heat wave with some red hot spells and the large crowd, at the Little Warren playing fields, was not disappointed as the Fighting Irish burned off their West Country opponents with a stunning 11-5 try victory.

With Aussie referee, Steve Davies, making his second visit to the Fighting Irish HQ and displaying the authority and empathy which made him a crowd favourite on his previous visit, the early exchanges were uncompromising and full blooded and some of the tackling from both sides caused concern for owners of the adjacent houses who feared for their home's foundations.

The heavier visitors pack continually tested the home team whose pace and guile were evident after hooker Mark Davies' defence splitting run sent a warning signal to Warriors ranks. The Fighting Irish displayed blistering pace particularly through scrum half Danny Hawkins, man of the match Dean Griffiths and mercurial Richard Haydn Lewis and were a handful for the red and blacks who were well served by England Lionhearts’ Tom Brown and diminutive half back Andy Champ. The first quarter remained scoreless and it was the visitors who had enjoyed the lion’s share of possession.

Stern words from the Aberavon skipper, Dean Scully, seemed to have the desired

effect and a spectacular hat trick of tries from Griffiths, all converted by evergreen Mike Healy, and further touchdowns by powerful Richard Hibbard and second row Darren Ryan effectively ended the match as a contest. When Scott O'Kelly, playing in the unaccustomed role of loose forward, added another Fighting Irish were home and dry although the half time whistle had yet to sound.

A late first half try by visitors prop Steve Penfold converted by stand off Andy King and a penalty goal from Andy Champ signalled a mini revival for Gloucestershire, for whom hooker Kirk Lewis was a constant threat. The visitors earned admiration for their efforts particularly Scottish International Ali Chambers and Dan Hunter and despite further touchdowns for Aberavon from Sean O'Brien, O'Kelly and Ryan, all converted by Healy, hit back with tries from the courageous Brown boys, Andy and Tony and a brace by Andy Champ. With Chris Perry and Simon Bailey outstanding, the hosts posted further tries by Darren Griffiths and Danny Hawkins converted by Richard Lewis.

Both teams left the field satisfied with the day's work. Gloucestershire Warriors returned home to plan their 2004 campaign while Aberavon's finest will look forward with relish to next week's second round clash with the old enemy Cardiff Demons.