Pooler nail it

Nov 4 2007 by Our Correspondent, Wales On Sunday

PONTYPOOL, leaders of division one east, kept their 100 per cent record intact and made it seven wins out of seven when they travelled to old rivals Newbridge and cruised to a 25-10 victory in a dress rehearsal for their tie in the second round of the Konica Minolta Cup.

Nathan Preece grabbed a brace of tries and Darren Pearce also crossed while Stewart Lawrence was successful with two conversions and two penalties.

Rhys Bowen ran in a consolation try for the hosts, with Sam Walcott landing a penalty and a conversion.

Second-placed Caerphilly kept in touch with the pacemakers by winning 31-15 at Newport Saracens.

John Griffiths, Dean Watkins and Gareth Miles ran in the tries, with Rhys Edwards and Dean Watkins sharing the kicking spoils.

Third-placed Blackwood were also on the road and picked up a bonus point by winning 34-16 at Rumney.

Owen Williams scored two tries and there was one apiece for Andrew Coupe, Brendon Lampit and Gavin Rees. Greg Jones added nine points with the boot.

Highest score of the afternoon resulted in a minor upset as UWIC demolished last year’s champions Beddau 50-15.

The students ran in eight tries, Matthew Trowbridge picking up a hat-trick and Guy Thompson a brace.

Bargoed beat Llanharan 35-26 in a thriller which leaves the Dairymen without a win this season and Fleur de Lys remain in the wooden spoon spot as they were at the wrong end of a 48-7 trouncing by Llantrisant.

In division one west, Tonmawr still dominate the league and notched up another big win with a 41-10 triumph at Merthyr by running in seven tries. Ton picked up another bonus point. Gareth Morris was top scorer with a brace of tries.

Second-placed Carmarthen Quins also collected a bonus point as they cruised to a 34-13 victory at Cwmllynfell. Craig Jones ran in two tries and there was one apiece for Anthony Rees, David Hawkins and Spencer Bessant.

Third-placed Narberth kept up the pressure by edging out Bridgend Athletic 24-20 and Llangennech virtually repeated last year’s scoreline as they won 31-14 at Waunarlwydd. Chris Rees ran in two of the Llanelli side’s four tries.

There were sighs of relief at Parc Mawr as reigning champions Bonymaen, who had lost their last two matches, returned to winning ways by beating Whitland 25-16.