Pooler are sunk

Feb 17 2008 by Our Correspondent, Wales On Sunday

PONTYPOOL, leaders of Division One East, suffered a shock defeat as they went down 18-15 at UWIC and, at the end of play, they were grateful for a losing bonus point because the winning margin could have been much larger, the Students squandering chances in a scrappy affair.

Matt McLean and evergreen Guy Thompson ran in a try apiece for the Students with Tom Hancock adding two penalties and a conversion.

Phil Price and Cae Traherne both crossed for Pontypool and Stewart Lawrence put over a penalty and conversion.

Caerphilly kept their promotion hopes alive by winning 23-17 at basement club Fleur-de-Lys. Gary Davies and Chris Thomas both touched down but Dean Watkins secured victory as he slotted over three penalties and two conversions.

Mathew Lawrence grabbed a brace of tries for Fleur and Brett Green kicked seven points.

Llanharan eased their relegation fears by picking up their first away win of the season – 23-12 at mid-table Rumney. Arwel Davies and Gary Williams ran in a try apiece and the ever reliable Gethin Worgan added three penalties and two conversions for a personal tally of 13 points.

Elsewhere Beddau, who have lost their last eight games, just scraped to a 23-22 success at Llantrisant.

In division two west, Carmarthen Quins missed an opportunity to top the league as they went down to a shock 34-32 defeat at Merthyr.

Mike Schroedfer was top scorer as he crossed for two of his side’s six tries – but the hero of the day was Johnny Bryant, who slotted over a winning conversion from the touchline to secure a dramatic last-minute victory.

Dunvant won their relegation battle with Waunarlwydd in convincing fashion, crossing the line four times in a 32-10 scoreline at Broadacre.

James Horner was the match-winner as he ran in a try and kicked three conversions, a penalty and a dropped goal for a tally of 17 points. But man of the match was hooker Christian Richards, who was an inspiration to his forwards.

Corus picked up a valuable four points as they narrowly won 10-6 at Bonymaen.

Cwmllynfell’s recent good form showed in their 15-6 victory over Whitland and, elsewhere, Llangennech just edged to a 24-16 win over Bridgend Athletic.

That is a loss which puts the Athletic back into the danger zone.