Round Up: ASDA League One

Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions Published 11:54 am 26th Mar 2007 News

With their title rivals suffering shock defeats, Bonymaen wasted no time in extending their lead at the top of the league with a convincing 60-10 win.

Team Manager Sian Clement said: “At this stage of the season it’s all about winning games so we were happy to win so comfortably. We could have scored more tries, and that is the standard we have set this season. The title is close now but we are now focussed and are looking to take each game as it comes and try to win it.”

Jason Wride was Bony’s hero as he ran in a hat trick of tries, while Sam Kiley grabbed a brace and there was a try each for Neil Wilcox, Mark Harvey and Euan Hopkins.

Closest rivals Bridgend Athletic and Carmarthen slipped up, losing against Whitland and Llangennech respectively. Bridgend Athletic crashed 31-33 at home to Whitland, despite holding a nineteen point advantage at the break, but hooker Huw Devonald crossed twice and tries from Matthew Hughes and Gareth Williams completed the stunning second-half comeback.

Carmarthen Quins’ promotion hopes were dealt a blow when Llangennech turned the league table upside down with a shock 17-14 win. A penalty from fly half Jonathan Griffiths proved the difference, even though the visitors crossed twice through Chris Francis and Barry Maddox. Merthyr continued their resurgence up the league with a 29-17 victory over Loughor whilst Narberth had no trouble in seeing off struggling Waunarlwydd 32-19. Cwmllynfell beat Dunvant in the battle of the two mid-table sides 21-14.

The title race is also hotting up in ASDA League One East with Newbridge, Bargoed and Beddau all winning. Newbridge stayed joint top after hammering Llanharan 53-16 with Robert Smith emerging as the hero with four tries, while Kristian Perrry, Rhys Reynolds and Dan Evans also all crossed in the rout in Gwent.

Bargoed beat UWIC 37-30 to keep their title hopes alive while Beddau beat former top-flight side Caerphilly 37-17. Craig Williams scored twice while Christian Bundy, Tom Slater and Owen all crossed in the comfortable win.

Pontypool slipped further behind the pack after Gary Wood’s eighteen point haul saw Fleur de Lys pip the Pooler 30-26. Blackwood halted a run of nine straight defeats with a 15-6 win over Abercynon while Ystrad Rhondda won only their second game of the season after beating Newport Saracens 33-29.