Risca cut down to make it 16 on the bounce

Division One round-up

NEWBRIDGE booked their ticket to the home of Welsh rugby last weekend with a 43-35 win over Ammanford to maintain their unbeaten record for the season. Nant were forced to wait another week after the pitch at Aberaeron was unfit to play.

Instead, the clash with Division 1 East Central side St Peter’s was moved to Newcastle Emlyn and ended with a 23-22 triumph for the Gogs. With both teams unbeaten to date, and chasing league and cup doubles, one team will end up disappointed.

While Nant were staging a magnificent fightback against ‘The Rocks’ after falling 22-10 behind in the second half, Newbridge crushed Risca 61-7 to earn their 16th successive bonus-point win in their league to maintain their 14 point advantage over Brynmawr at the top of the table – with three games in hand.

Meanwhile, in Newcastle Emlyn, a try by centre Gbemi Fisher earned St Peter’s a 10-7 interval lead before further touchdowns from full-back Isaac Marsh and flanker Liam Sampson saw them move into a 12-point lead in the second half.

Then Nant put the wind at their backs to good use and worked their way back into the game to enable skipper and centre Caron Davies to kick his side to within striking distance before landing the match winning penalty with 90 seconds left to play.

Division 1 East Central leaders Rumney had to fight back from a 10 point deficit at St Joseph’s before running out winners by 26-13. Having initially led 10-0, the Joes then went 13-12 ahead as they stayed in the fight.

In the end, two tries from Hugo Souto helped Rumney to hold onto top spot and pick up a bonus-point for scoring four tries as well.

Bonymaen moved 12 points clear at the top of Division 1 West Central thanks to their 50-17 win at Birchgrove and the fact second placed Kenfig Hill only scraped through 18-15 at home against Skewen without a bonus point.