Battle for survival in Division One hots up

Apr 25 2005 Paul Williams, Western Mail

WHILE Maesteg need to defeat Carmarthen Athletic tomorrow to take the Division One title, the battle for survival hotted up in the basement of the division.

The Athletic pulled off a superb 30-13 win at Llangennech, only to find that Fleur de Lys, Builth Wells, Uwic and Bridgend Athletic had also won.

Carmarthen gained tries by centre Aled Thomas (2), veteran No 8 Graham Evans and wing Mark Williams, with Dan Jones adding seven points and Leighton McKenna a drop goal against a try by dual-registered Mike Jones for Llangennech and eight points by Ellis Phillips.

Uwic gained a shock 28-18 win at Beddau as wings Nathan Trowbridge (2) and Alex Eatley went over against home tries by Danny Hodge and Dan Wyatt.

Bridgend Athletic held off Tonmawr 21-18 as Danny Williams and Carle Ellis notched tries and veteran hooker Ray Thomas and Andy Edwards crossed for Tonmawr. A Richard Jones try helped Fleur de Lys beat Blackwood 16-6 with 11 points by fly-half Brett Green against two Jeremy Lloyd penalties.

Leaders Maesteg gained a 24-12 win at Maesteg as skipper Karl Hocking notched a record 120th league try and Kevin Ellis and Gareth Holmes followed with Mark David kicking nine points, though Lyndon Johnson, and Gareth James went over for Bonymaen.

Three John Thurston tries helped Builth Wells defeat Brynmawr 39-0. Andrew Duggan added two and Huw Lloyd one and there was a 8-8 draw between Narberth and Whitland as Neath wing Nick Jones scored the Otters' try and Carwyn Davies went over for the Borderers.

Two West leaders Waunarlwydd and Cwmllynfell both won again and are heading for a huge title showdown at Cwmllynfell on May 14. In the East, Ystrad Rhondda held off Tredegar 23-0, but the shock was at the bottom where Treorchy ran in 13 tries in defeating Risca 87-0.

Tonyrefail virtually gave Rhydyfelin the Three South East title when they beat Mountain Ash 23-16 with tries by Carl Richards, Gareth Pugh, Richard Berry and Justin Banwell.

In the West, Loughor took the title by thrashing bottom club Cardigan 76-12 as Gorseinon won 19-15 at Penclawdd.

Unbeaten Bargoed beat Rhymney 26-7 in the East and have two matches left, while in the South West, Maesteg Quins now only have Seven Sisters chasing them after the latter defeated Aberavon Quins 32-7, but Maesteg need only one more point.

Division Four saw Llangefni celebrating the North crown in midweek and aiming to follow Ruthin's example by playing in the South next season, while Pontllanfraith require one point in the East after challengers Tredegar Ironsides beat Ynysddu.

Fairwater await Aberdare's last match to see who wins Four South East, while in Five East Garndiffaith were promoted in second after beating Blaenavon.

Penallta look almost certain to win Five South East at the first attempt. They blasted Cefn Coed out of a promotion spot, but Cilfynydd are still chasing. Birchgrove can still come from third to first and take Five South West if they win their last two games.