Round Up: ASDA Leagues One
East Division leaders welcome title rivals Beddau to the Welfare Ground on Tuesday night before travelling to Gwent rivals Pontypool next Saturday in five days that will shape the promotion race.
“This week will decide everything so it’s all about victories rather than performances: results are what count now,” admitted Newbridge Team Manager Nigel Paul.
“We’re quietly confident we can do it. Our team is definitely good enough to go up, our fitness levels are superb and we’re fortunate to be picking from a full squad for this important week.
“We’ve got two coaches (Robert and Gareth Johnson) who have been through this experience before with Ebbw Vale, Tredegar and Oakdale so they know exactly what’s needed to get promotion. That should stand us in good stead. The most important thing is that our destiny is in our own hands.”
Newbridge were rarely troubled by Abercynon, winning 33-3 to maintain their three-point lead over Bargoed who still have an outside chance of winning the division after coming from behind to beat Fleur de Lys 21-16, though they have played two games more.
Beddau scored four tries in their 27-9 victory at Newport Saracens, while Pontypool kept in touch with a 29-20 win over Blackwood.
While the gripping title race in the East looks set to go all the way, Bonymaen now need to win just one of their remaining two games to triumph in the West following their 20-0 success over struggling Waunarlwydd, thanks to two tries from Ryan Llewellyn.
The title looked to be heading to the Swansea club when second-placed Carmarthen Quins trailed 30-0 at home to Bridgend Athletic. Yet Quins, who have a game in hand over the leaders, produced one of the best forty minute displays of the season to win 40-30 following second-half tries from Jonathan Morgan, Chris Jones, Andrew Thomas, Paul Arnold, Chris Francis and Alan Mason. Giles Thomas added five all important conversions.
At the other end of the table, Loughor virtually guaranteed First Division rugby for next season as Andrew Banfield scored twice to earn a crucial 24-19 win over Dunvant.
