Top two clear

Mar 23 2008 by Our Correspondent, Wales On Sunday

PACESETTERS Caerphilly and second-placed Pontypool yesterday put further breathing space between themselves and the chasing pack at the top of Division One East after seeing off the challenges from teams nearest to them.

And with Blackwood in fifth spot also going down to a shock defeat at Fleur-de-Lys, it looks as if the championship will be decided between the two former Premier teams.

Caerphilly collected a valuable bonus point in their 26-10 success at UWIC, Rhys Watkins, Chris Ferris, Nathan Gittins and Adam Minty all going over.

Outside half Dean Watkins added a penalty and Hugh Lock rounded off a good day for the Cheesemen with a dropped goal.

Pontypool were trailing 10-0 at Bargoed but after the break they clawed themselves back and won 14-12 thanks to an injury time penalty try.

Danny Robinson also crossed and Stuart Lawrence kicked two crucial conversions. Bottom club Fleur-de-Lys surprised fifth placed Blackwood in a 21-15 thriller.

Mathew Lawrence ran in a brace of tries and a penalty try was awarded.

Brett Green put over all three conversions.

Rumney returned to winning ways with a 17-3 victory over reigning champions Beddau.

Elsewhere, Newbridge extended their unbeaten run to six games with a 29-12 win over Llantrisant and Newport Saracens lost their vital relegation battle with Llanharan 20-12.

For the first time this season, Tonmawr have been deposed at the top of division one west as Carmarthen Quins picked up an invaluable bonus point in their 22-8 victory at Corus.

Alex Wilkins, Anthony Rees, Josh Freeman and Chris Francis all crossed and Craig Jones kicked a conversion.

Tonmawr had to battle the conditions in a hard fought 10-3 victory at reigning champions Bonymaen.

Hywel Davies scored the day’s sole try and Austin Howells added a conversion and penalty.

Third placed Narberth extended their unbeaten run to seven matches and completed a season’s double over neighbourly rivals Whitland with an 18-13 success.

Bottom club Waunarlwydd shared the spoils in their relegation scrap with Bridgend Athletic, the score finishing at 19 all and Dunvant remain close to the drop zone after losing 12-9 at Merthyr.

Andrew Hutchings and Garan Pearce ran in the Steelmen’s tries while elsewhere Cwmllynfell beat fourth placed Llangennech 10-6.