ASDA LEAGUE DIVISION ONE ROUND-UP

Sean Emery, Gavin Heck and Cleris James all went over as Newbridge were forced to work hard at home for their victory over Waunarlwydd for whom Simon Hart crossed twice.

Beddau had a far easier time of it at struggling Fleur De Lys where they ran in six tries, five of which were converted, in their 40-0 rout.

But neither could close the gap on leaders Bonymaen who returned to winning ways to stay four points clear at the top of the table.
Bonymaen slipped to only their third defeat of the campaign last week with a shock reverse at relegation threatened Builth Wells.

But they shook off that disappointment to get back in the driving seat with a commanding 38-17 success against Merthyr. Wing Lyndon Johnson scored two of their five tries while fly-half Gareth Jones added 13 points with the boot.

Assistant coach Ieuan Jones said: “It was important to get back on track after the defeat at Builth. We’ve still got the other teams breathing down our necks but we have games in hand and we know that our destiny is in our own hands.

“Perhaps a bit of complacency crept in last week but it was a good kick and now if we win our games then we know the title is ours.

“We made hard work of it against Merthyr. After a good start we allowed them to get back into the game but we finished strongly.”

At the other end of the table, Ystrad Rhondda looked to be heading to a rare victory when they lead at half-time against Llangennech through tries from Alun Roberts and Richard Wells before the visitors rallied to run out 27-13 winners.

Whitland played the last ten minutes of their clash against Uwic with just 13 men after forwards Ryan Mitchell and Randall Williams were sent to the sin bin but managed to hold on for a 29-17 win.

Gareth Edwards and Justin James scored the crucial tries for Llanharan who edged out Caerphilly 18-7 in a nail-biting encounter at the Dairy Field while Cwmllynfell came from behind to beat Blackwood 20-7 after trailing at half-time.