WELSH PREMIER DIVISION ROUND UP

The loss gives Newport a glimmer of hope in second place, but Neath still have a game in hand and six to play against Newport’s seven with a six-point lead. However, the clubs still have to meet at Newport.

Wing Grant Epton outkicked Neath’s Shaun Connor 5-4 on penalties as the clubs both scored a try at the Brewery Field. Ospreys’ wing Richard Mustoe crossed for Bridgend and fellow Osprey Connor went over for Neath.

Newport were 41-19 winners at Llanharan, yet the home side fought well in the second half to share the four tries scored. However, Newport ended with a 7-3 try-count overall. While Bridgend jumped to third, Llanelli fell to fourth after a 21-10 loss at Cross Keys as Keys prop Craig Gould scored both of his side’s tries.

Luke Richards became the top scorer in Wales after grabbing 17 more points in a 37-20 win at Llandovery when wing Nick Jones scored a brace of tries to take his tally to 15.

Another Jones boy in form was Cardiff wing Elgan Jones, whose try in a 19-16 home win over Caerphilly was his 16th of the season, while Craig and Euros were Evans boys on the mark as Carmarthen Quins defeated Aberavon 27-13.

Bottom club Newbridge ran up one of their best scores of the season with 34 points against Ebbw Vale at the Welfare Ground, but still lost. Ebbw Vale hit thir best with 48, scoring 6-5 on tries. Former Newbridge fly half Jason Williams landed eight goal shots and other old boys Jonathan Hawker and Andrew Bevan were among the Vale try-scorers.

Pontypool won 32-30 at Bedwas after a good opening half with skipper Cae Trayhern notching his tenth try and Sam Mills kicking five goals. For Bedwas, Andrew James kicked six out of six.

On Tuesday (5th) Cardiff meet Newbridge and on Wednesday (6th) Bedwas take on Pontypridd.