Gwent rugby round-up

In a high tempo game Tredegar exerted early pressure that enabled Daryl Carter and Daniel Davies to run in for two tries in the space of four minutes. With Greg Jones converting both, Tredegar exuded confidence and dominated all phases of play.

Pill took advantage when Tredegar hooker Ryan Williams was yellow carded but the home defence stood firm and once back to full strength, full back Rob Smith crossed seeing Tredegar lead 19-0 at the break.

Pill fought back in the second half scoring two unconverted tries by Young and Hillier but substitute Daniel Morris late touchdown saw Tredegar run out convincing winners.

With this win closing the first half of the season, director of coaching Robert Johnstone has instilled the will to win in the team and Tredegar now look forward to the second half of the campaign.

On Saturday, Tredegar are away to bottom of the league Llanishen, meeting them for the first time.

Newport Saracens Seconds entertained Cwmbran Seconds at a windsweptTredegar Park in a Newport & District WRULeagueencounter where the visitors won the toss and chose to play with the strong wind at their backs.

The youthful Cwmbran pack took the game to their heftier adversaries from the off and the Saries worked hard in the opening exchanges to gain parity with the visiting eight.

Both sides soon realised that the howling wind would scupper any attempts at fluent handling moves and a ding dong forward battle ensued with each team resorting to driving forward play to gain territory.

After a series ofrucks close to the Cwmbran line Saries number eight Ross Madden returning to action after a lengthy lay off forced his way over for the games opening try which was converted by James Didcote and shortly after against the run of play wing Jonny Burgess raced 75 metres to score after pouncing on a stray Cwmbran pass close to the hosts' line.

Didcote again converted but the visitors immediately hit back and fired over two penalties after the Saries infringed in their 22 as Cwmbran pressure told. Stout defence prevented any further scores from the visitors and the Saries were relieved toreach half time 14-6 up but would now turn around with the elements in their favour.

The second period started in similar vein to the first but as the half wore on the greater experience of the home side began to tell.

With Andy Fenlon, Nathan Walsh and David Jenkins to the fore up front, the Saries pack finally gained ascendancy and forward grunt paved the way for further tries from lock Mike Saladino (two) hooker Peter Loder and a second from Jonny Burgess who won a 35 metre foot race for the game's most entertaining scoreafter a clever Didcote chip through.

Two further conversions from the boot of Didcote completed the scoring for a hard fought 38-6 Saries win.

Club secretary Mark Leverson commented: "We are obviously delighted to have got the result but full credit must go to a very young and combative Cwmbran side that never gave up and battled for the full eighty minutes but our lads were a little more streetwise and this proved decisive in the end."

The Saries Seconds now look forward to next Saturday's traditionally tough encounter with Chepstow in another League clash.

Hafodyrynys got back to winning ways by beating Fleur-de-Lys Athletic 44-5.

The game was played with passive scrums from the start as Fleur had a lack of front rows.

However that did not deter the Hafod forwards as they completely dominated their opposition, which allowed the backs to run in some fine tries. Eight tries were scored in all with two conversions added.

Credit must go to the young Fleur side for turning up and never giving in.

On Boxing Day Hafod played a Past v Present match and about 35 players turned out which was excellent. Everyone enjoyed themselves so much that this will now be back as an annual event.

The pick of the tries was scored by Mark Lawrence who sidestepped Ryan Goodway, handed off Chris Wall and sprinted 30 yards to the corner. On Saturday Hafod entertain New Tredegar,, kick off at 2.30pm.