Rhydyfelin go top in East with rivals on plate duty

SWALEC round-up

NEWBRIDGE celebrated their first home league win since December 3 as they ran out 15-13 victors over

Glynneath in the only Championship match of the day.

Tries from centre Scott Williams and back rower Kyle Scrivens did the damage against a side sitting four places ahead of them.

Rhydyfelin took full advantage of the absence of One East title rivals Nelson and Penallta, both on Plate duty, to go top of the table with a 32-25 victory at

Abertillery BG thanks to two tries in as many minutes at the start of the second half.

Tries from Luke Rees, Mark Tyler and skipper Lewis Smith helped Rhydyfelin ease their way into a 19-3 interval lead, but then came the home surge.

Kristian Smith crossed for a try that Kurtis Haile improved before Aled Penn crossed for a second try in the space of two minutes to cut the gap to four points at 19-15. It was anyone’s game for a short while before Jordan Rees crossed for the bonus point try which Dai Gratton converted to make it 26-15.

Jack Woodland then scored a third home try that Haile converted to make it a four point game. Rhydyfelin reverted to Gratton’s boot to ease them further in front, but Haile kicked a late goal to ensure the home side picked up a thoroughly deserved bonus point.

Fifth placed Caerleon picked up a bonus point thanks to a hat-trick from Pat Knight as they beat

Senghenydd 45-8. The visitors picked up four yellow cards and two reds in a game that also went to passive scrums.

In Division 1 West,

Llanelli Wanderers suffered their first defeat at home in the league as they slipped to a 8-6 defeat at the hands of Crymych.

In Division 1 East Central, Treorchy made it 16 games without defeat as they beat St Joseph’s 40-26, while second placed Ystrad

Rhondda had tries from No.8 Liam Davies and scrum half Jack Foulkes to go with a penalty try in a 1912 triumph at Llanharan. ROB COLE