Asda Leagues round up

Jan 22 2007 Alan Home. Keyte, Western Mail

IT MIGHT not have been pretty, but Bonymaen stay top of ASDA Division One West by virtue of their immense second-half fightback at home to Llangennech.

Bonymaen chairman John Hague was a relieved man after seeing his side hit back with four second-half tries to run out convincing winners having trailed 17-0 at half-time after leaking three first-half tries.

Fly-half Gareth James led the charge with three conversions and a penalty as No 8 Andrew Llewellyn, centre Neil Wilcox and replacement wing James Davies all crossed for tries, while the home side were also awarded a penalty try.

"In the end it was a convincing win, but it was a very poor game of rugby," said Hague.

"We allowed the opposition to control the game early on, and we didn't help matters with dropped passes and mistakes. When the game is going like that, you just start to panic.

"In the last 20 minutes or so, we really came into our own.

"We are still grinding out results and that's a sign of a team that could be successful in the end."

Second-placed Bridgend Athletic kept their pressure with a nail-biting 15-14 win at Loughor.

Having trailed 7-0 at half-time, Athletic hit back with two second-half tries by centre Tom Goodwin and wing Nick Hinton, who scored on his debut.

Fly-half Steve Lewis landed a conversion and penalty which saw the visitors home.

Carmarthen Quins are third thanks mainly to the boot of fly-half Mark Jones, who kicked 16 points to steer his side to a 26-23 win at Narberth.

Waunarlwydd had a 13-3 win over Whitland at home and Merthyr had left wing Greg Plant to thank for his try which was the difference between the visitors and Dunvant, who could only muster a penalty from full-back Leigh Copner.

All credit to the table's bottom club Builth Wells.

After claiming their first win of the season last weekend, Builth proved it was no fluke with a comprehensive 20-3 win at fourth-placed Cwmllynfell in a four-try display.

Hooker Shaun Hughes, fly-half Rob Lloyd, No 8 Ben Duggan and flanker Tom Hughes all bagged tries, while the hosts could only manage a penalty.

"We've got the side that we want back on the field for the first time this season and, if we can produce like that again, there won't be a problem," said a delighted Builth Wells spokesman Rob Wall.

There is no margin for error at the top of Division One East with four teams battling hard for top spot.

Newbridge are still top despite having their game with Beddau postponed due to bad weather, which allowed their rivals to close the gap.

Bargoed moved up to second place with their 27-17 win over Ystrad Rhondda.

Two tries by centre Nicky Lochlin led the way, while fly-half Jamie Howells weighed in with a 12-point haul.

Pontypool, Bargoed and Beddau are all level on 33 points after Pontypool enjoyed a 16-5 home win over Newport Saracens, while Abercynon demolished Llanharan 31-14 in a five-try romp.

Wing Stefan Sankala scored two tries in Caerphilly's 32-20 win over Fleur de Lys, while Dean Watkins kicked 12 points for the winners.