NATIONAL LEAGUES ROUND-UP
LEADERS Pontypool picked up an early Christmas bonus at Newbridge as they made it 14 wins from as many games with a 40-10 win in the National Championship.
Rhodri Usher was at the double in a five-star Pooler performance with Aaron Coundley, Ben Sparks and Kieran Meek also on the scoresheet while Meek and Matt Jones shared kicking responsibilities.
Stuart Vokes scored the Newbridge try, which was converted by Simon Veall who also booted a penalty.
The win for rampant Pooler takes them on to 64 points – a dozen ahead of Tata Steel, who moved clear in second place thanks to a bonus-point win of their own, 24-13 at Glynneath.
Liam Popham, Lewis Evans, Ryan Hall and Andrew Rees-Spowart were the Tata try scorers with Jack O’Reilly chipping in with two conversions.
Stuart Leach scored for the hosts with Corey Jenkins adding a conversion and two penalties.
Tata now have 11 wins and three defeats, as do Narberth in third, although the latter did not pick up a bonus point in their 18-6 home win over Newcastle Emlyn and are now a point behind Tata.
Jack Price bagged a brace for Narberth with Nick Gale adding their extras while Dan Davies booted two penalties in reply for the visitors.
Dunvant remain bottom of the pile after their 24-11 reverse at Skewen.
Rhys Jenkins, James Price and James Ball inspired the hosts, with Anthony Buselli converting all three tries as well as booting a penalty.
Mark Robbins scored for Dunvant with Adam Williams-Parry kicking two penalties while the visitors had also Gareth Davies red carded for an alleged booting incident.
There was also a sending off at Glamorgan Wanderers, who had No.8 Dan Crimmins dismissed as they lost 20-15 at home by Cardiff Met.
Crimmins was given his marching orders as a result of arguing with the referee having received a yellow card, while a brace for Luke Northmore gave the Students the edge, with Ali Main converting both tries and kicking two penalties.
Aaron Fowler and Ross Gibbon scored for the Wanderers with Luke Fish booting adding their other points from the tee.
The other game in the Championship saw Beddau run out 14-11 winners at home to Bedlinog with two penalties and a drop goal from Hywel Chatham adding to Adam Court’s try.
Andrew Murphy scored for the visitors with Iain Smerdon kicking a drop goal and a penalty.
In One West Central, Bonymaen edged out leaders Aberavon Quins 31-22 in the battle of the division’s top two – and are the leaders at Christmas as a result.
Kyle Salter (2), Nathan Brooks, Richard Cunliffe and Ian Brooks, who also kicked three conversions, were the Bonymaen scorers. Jordan Condon scored for the Quins with Mark Shephard adding a conversion and five penalties.
Bonymaen are now two points ahead of the Quins although have played a game more.
Kidwelly are top of the pile meanwhile in One West after their seventry 39-29 win over third-placed Aberystwyth – inspired by Robin Davies’ hat-trick.
Lewis Millen, Dafydd Lewis, Richard Pearce and Elliott Davies also had their try-scoring boots on.
The win means Kidwelly are two points clear of Llanelli Wanderers, who beat Felinfoel 21-18 thanks to tries from Rob Hughes and Dafydd Daniel and 11 points from the boot of Jonathan George.
One North leaders recorded their ninth win from 10 games with a 31-16 home win over Bala and are three points clear.
Jack Moriarty, Carwyn Roberts, Delwyn Jones, Tom Oliver and Sion Pringle got the tries with Jones adding three conversions.
It’s a perfect 10 for One East leaders Rhydyfelin who won 26-17 at Ynysybwl thanks to a brace from Kieran Phillips and a try from Luke Rees while Dai Gratton kicked 11 points – and they are two points clear at the top.
Elsewhere Treorchy remain on top of One East Central and are six points clear after a 29-14 win at Dowlais.
Jacob Lloyd, Will Griffiths and Ryan Evans got the tries for Treorchy with Jordan Lloyd adding four penalties and a conversion.