NATIONAL LEAGUE RUGBY
PONTYPOOL made it a perfect 10 in the WRU National Championship but only after coming from behind to seal a 26-14 bonus point win in their top-of-the-table clash with Cardiff Met.
The students led 7-5 at the turnaround after a physical first half where they took the lead through centre Barrie Karea’s try which was converted by Russell Bennett.
Flanker Craig Attwell replied for Pooler before a scuffle ensued and resulted in the hosts’ Danny Hodge and Met’s Dawid Rubasniak being sent to the bin.
Pooler were then awarded a penalty try just after the re-start but slack defending allowed Shawn Howard to cross for Met and put them back in front, with Bennett again converting.
But the champions would not be denied and were soon over again through Rhodri Usher before Aaron Coundley bagged the bonus point with Matthew Lewis converting both tries.
Meanwhile Ystrad Rhondda have now moved into second spot after they also battled back from behind to win 21-14 at Bedlinog.
Centre Ryan Howells bagged two second half tries for Ystrad, with Corey Shephard converting the first one as well as booting three penalties. The Foxes led 14-6 at the turnaround.
The win for Ystrad, their ninth of the campaign, took them on to 41 points, eight points behind Pooler having also played a game more.
Elsewhere, Rhydyfelin ended a run of three successive defeats with a 19-11 home triumph over Beddau while, In the battle at the bottom, Newbridge edged a thriller with Newcastle Emlyn 33-32.
Matt McGovern was at the double for Newbridge with Simon Veall, Ben Snell and a penalty try also among their scorers. Sam Withers booted three conversions.
Llyr Jones scored twice for Emlyn with Llyr Davies and Alex Williams their others scorers as they did at least take two bonus points, but remain bottom. Shaun Leonard added three conversions and two penalties.
One East leaders Brynmawr got back to winning ways as they beat Nelson 26-14 to go six points clear.
Blindside Zach Stuart scored twice with James Mear and hooker Dan Wall also crashing over the whitewash as visitors Brynmawr bounced back from their defeat by Brecon which ended a seven-game winning run this term.
Full-back Liam Butler converted three of the four tries for the Mawr.
Glamorgan Wanderers went top of One East Central with a 26-13 win at Cambrian Welfare.
The win takes Martyn Fowler’s side two points clear and back above Rhiwbina, who had led the way heading into the weekend but postponed their game with Gilfach Goch.