Narrow loss sends Emlyn down to division one

TREBANOS will be playing WRU National Championship rugby again next season.

The Crows secured their safety with a tense 17-15 victory over Newcastle Emlyn — and the result also relegates Emlyn to division one.

Coming into the game, Trebanos needed just two points to be sure of safety.

Emlyn, meanwhile, had given themselves a stay of execution the previous weekend when they beat Tata Steel with a bonus point.

They were determined not to go down without a fight and led twice in the match, 7-6 and then 15-14, with Shaun Leonard scoring both tries. Dan Davies added a conversion and a penalty.

But it would ultimately prove too little too late as a Josh Ferryman try, along with three penalties from Tom Dew and one from Luke Griffiths, snatched victory for Trebanos.

Emlyn join Bedlinog, Newbridge and Rhydyfelin in being confirmed in the bottom four.

Meanwhile at the other end, champions Pontypool are now just two games away from a second successive invincible campaign.

Pooler made it 20 wins out of 20 with a 39-26 win at Tata Steel at the weekend as they also bid to replicate last season’s clean sweep.

Despite Pooler shading it early on, it was hosts Tata on the scoreboard first with an unconverted try from outside-half Lloyd Rogers.

Kieran Meek slotted a drop-goal for Pooler before scrum-half Aaron Quick barged his way over for the visitors’ first try after their forwards had mauled their way to the line from a line-out.

Pooler were over again on the stroke of half-time through flanker Rob Nash after another forwards drive. Again the try went unconverted as they took a 13-5 lead in at half-time.

Skipper Nash scored his second try once the match resumed as Pooler again made their forward power count and it was improved by Meek to make it 20-5.

Nash went on to complete his hat-trick, while Marcus Jones and Harry Seward also scored. Matthew Lewis added two conversions.

Geraint Llewellyn, Jack Brooks and Dai Griggs also scored for Tata, with Lloyd Rogers adding the extras.

Elsewhere, Maesteg Quins beat Narberth 28-22.

There are just three fixtures left outstanding in the Championship. The first of those will be played this evening (Wednesday) between Pontypool and relegated Rhydyfelin.

Then on Saturday it is Trebanos’s turn to travel to Pontypool Park, while Tata Steel also wrap up their campaign away at Maesteg Quins.