NATIONAL LEAGUE RUGBY
PONTYPOOL’S dominance in the WRU National Championship is clear to see after they registered their 40th consecutive victory in the competition.
The Gwent outfit currently lead the table by eight points. but have three games in hand on second-placed Ystrad Rhondda.
Martin Luckwell, Rhodri Usher, Scott Matthews, Curtis Gregory, Brendan Lampitt and Clayton Gullis were all on the scoresheet as Pooler beat Newcastle Emlyn 36-24.
Fly-half Matthew Lewis bagged three conversions to complete the scoring.
Daniel Davies, Steffan Evans and Andrew Owens all replied for lowly Emlyn with Davies kicking seven points and Evans adding a conversion.
Ystrad Rhondda kept pace with the leaders as they beat Newbridge 33-21 to claim a bonus-point victory.
Sion Summers was the star as he helped himself to a hat-trick while Kurtis Williams added a fourth to seal the bonus point. Corey Shepherd added the rest from the tee with two conversions and three penalties.
Narberth stay third following their narrow 10-8 win over Trebanos. A penalty try helped the Otters claim the win with Nick Gale also on target with a penalty. Trebanos hit back with a Llyr Davies try and a Tom Dew penalty to salvage a losing bonus point.
Elsewhere, Maesteg Quins had Owen Howe to thank for their 21-11 win at Bedlinog. The former Swansea kicker showed his talent from the tee with a stunning seven penalties.
A Ben Grzesica try and two Rhys Davies penalties got points on the board for Bedlinog, but the boot of Howe ensured Quins took the points.
Cardiff Met lost ground with the top three after a 15-15 draw at Rhydyfelin.
Rhydyfelin led 15-3 thanks to a penalty try, a Lewis James score and a Dai Gratton penalty. Harry Johnston kept the Archers in it with a pin-point kick from the tee before a brace from captain Joe Jackson hauled them back in the game. A conversion from Johnston sealed a remarkable comeback.
Beddau moved off the bottom with a 33-20 victory over Tata Steel.
Over in One East, Brecon showed the rest of the league that they mean business after a stunning 34-19 victory over reigning champions Brynmawr.
Geraint Workman, Lewys Cooke, Jonathon James, Richie Davies and Sam Campbell all dotted down as Brecon extended their perfect league record to 13 games. Dean Gunter added the rest from the tee.
They now lead Brynmawr by nine points, but sit second in the table following Penallta’s 44-0 victory over Hartridge.
Meanwhile, Bonymaen kept their title ambitions alive with a 23-10 triumph over leaders Ystalyfera in a One West Central top-of-the-table clash.
Nathan Brooks and Sam Jones went over while Richard Cunniffe booted 13 points to secure a crucial victory.
Bowdy Davies replied for the leaders with Steff James kicking the other points.