NEWBRIDGE recorded their ninth successive league victory to continue their rise up the First Division table with a convincing 35-3 win over neighbours Blackwood.

The match had all the hallmarks of a traditional Gwent derby. Two heavyweight packs battled for supremacy in front of a partisan crowd.

Added to this there were three yellow cards and a penalty try in a game which former international referee Clayton Thomas had to draw on all his experience to control. The early stages of the game were played at a frenetic pace resulting in countless handling errors.

The visitors took an early lead through a Martin Jones drop goal but coaches Mark Thomas and Roger Bidgood will no doubt be disappointed that their team were unable to capitalise on the early piercing runs of Jagger To'o.

The centre proved to be a menace to the Newbridge defence and twice he created try scoring opportunities only to see the ball fumbled at the final pass.

Unquestionably the coaching duo of Mike Watkins and Jonathan Westwood have been instrumental in turning around Newbidge's fortunes and Watkins' technical influence was easily recognised.

From a five metre scrum the Newbridge pack heaved the opposition backwards and when Blackwood crumbled under the pressure a penalty try was awarded.

After the interval, Martin Ridley exploited an overlap to cement their lead. Late tries from John Bowd and Leighton Davies sealed the win.