Victorious Pooler stay out in front at the top

Welsh Championship round-up

PONTYPOOL maintained their 11-point lead at the top of the WRU National Championship with an 18-16 victory at Narberth.

Lloyd Lewis got things up and running for Pooler but Jonathan Rogers hit back for Narberth with an opportunistic drop goal.

A shock then looked to be on the cards as Nick Gale crossed the whitewash to put Narberth ahead, before then adding the conversion.

Rich Rees saw yellow for Narberth shortly before the break but Pontypool couldn’t make it count.

However, that changed after the restart with Michael Herbert grabbing Pontypool’s second try to level proceedings.

Gale and Matthew Lewis swapped penalties. Gale added another but Lewis had the last word, diving over in the corner.

Cardiff Met kept up the pressure on the leaders with a 20-14 win at Beddau.

Dawid Rubasniak was at the double as the Students kept hold of second place. Zac Clow was also on the scoresheet but the Archers couldn’t add a fourth bonuspoint-clinching touch down.

Beddau replied with a converted Ben Lee effort and a penalty try, which saw them claim a losing bonus point.

With the top two winning, the pressure was on third-placed Ystrad

Rhondda but their 31-21 win over Tata Steel was more straightforward.

Cole Swanack, Kurtis Williams and Liam Wiggins all went over with the former’s brace earning a bonus point.

Corey Shephard added all four conversions as well as a penalty.

Newcastle Emlyn’s rise up the table continued with an 18-13 triumph at

Bedlinog. Six penalties from Shaun Leonard saw them claim the points and move out of the drop zone.

Rhydyfelin now prop up the division following their 26-12 defeat to Maesteg

Quins. The other game in the league saw Newbridge beat Trebanos 21-12.