Local rugby round-up

They certainly achieved their aim as a great team effort ended with Blaina winning comfortably by 35-6.

This latest win moves Blaina to fifth place in League Division Three.

United began strongly and some good tactical kicking by outside half Morgan West took play deep into the Blaina 22.

Some great defence by Stuart Tandy, Stuart Sherrard and Craig Filler prevented a score.

West had a chance to put his side in front but wasoff target with a penalty attempt.

Blaina outside half Barrie Reagan took play into the United halfwith some astute tactical kicking.

He then combined well with young scrum half David Jones, the ball was moved swiftly to centre Ross Watts who split the United defence to score the first of Blaina's five tries.

Watts converted to give Blaina a seven point lead.

The Blaina pack were gaining the upper hand with the front row of Darren Crimmins, Martin Pagett and Stuart Hurle causing the United front row plenty of problems at the scrummages with Pagett taking two strikes against the head.

A good break by Blaina captain Craig Edwards opened up the United defence and the ever supporting Tandy took the final pass to cross for Blaina's second try.

Once again Watts converted to put his side 14-0 in front.

Pontypool United responded with their pack driving well and they earned a penalty as Blaina were deemed to have collapsed a maul.

West made no mistake with the resulting penalty to get some points on the board for the visitors.

More United pressure mounted as Blaina failed to clear their lines and again were penalised and West slotted over the kick to put his side within reach.

Great driving play by Blaina second rows Christen Penny and Paul Baxter took play into the United half.

The ball was moved quickly to centre Watts who sprinted 40 metres to cross for his second try.

He also converted to give Blaina a comfortable 21 points to 6 lead at half-time.

United began in determined mood in the second half but great defence by wings Mathew James, Ryan Davies and full back Lee Johns prevented a score.

Blaina were then able to take play into the opposition half and set up a great driving maul with replacements Rob Hudson, Craig Llewellyn and Tim Jones playing important roles.

Blaina moved the ball at pace and young forward Craig Fillier was on hand to cross for a well deserved try.

Once again Watts converted to increase the Blaina lead.

Blaina should have increased their lead following a strong run by John's wing Ryan Davies who lost the ball with the line at his mercy.

The United side had no answer to the pace of the Blaina side and went further behind as wing Mathew James finished off another Blaina attack with a fine individual effort and once again Blaina man of the match Watts converted to give Blaina a well deserved victory and earn a bonus point.

They will need another huge team effort this Saturday with the visit of high flying Garndiffaith to Central Park, kick off 2.30pm.

Because of the bad weather forecast, Blaina will train at Nantyglo Astroturf on Thursday between 8pm and 9pm.

Tredegar defeated Builth Wells 12-6 last Saturday with a power play display from their awesome pack of forwards.

Having won their last three league games, amassing more than 40 points a match, the Bulls from Builth expected to complete the double over Tredegar after recording victory in the first fixture of the season.

However at home, Tredegar are certainly a different kettle of fish.

And although two penalties by the visitors fullback John Thurston looked enough to secure the away win they needed, two tries from Tredegar and a confident Greg Jones conversion saw the home side deservedly run out winners.

But it was a game that was marred by two yellow cards for the home team and a solitary yellow for the visitors.

With another great display from the Tredegar forwards, the Bulls had no answer to the home pack power play and lost at least four scrum put-ins against the head.

The Tredegar front row of Douglas, Harwood and Ronan put the visiting pack under all sorts of pressure while Harding and Dawson in the second row exerted untold pressure in the scrum and line out.

Steve Evans was replaced in the back row but his replacement Jamie Noble soon got on the score-sheet after the rampaging Tredegar forwards bulldozed over the visitor's line.

Joe Campbell directed operations from the flank and when Douglas was replaced by John Osborne, the Tredegar pack were in the ascendancy.

Winger Daniel Davies was unlucky on the few occasions the ball reached him but it was left to the unstoppable Stuart Jarman to seal Builth's fate when he touched down powering over with defenders hanging on but unable to deny him another try.

With the first win of the new year under their belts, Tredegar visit Ynysybwl on Saturday with news that James Atwill will shortly be available for selection.

The prop from Australia was a member of the Australian Under 21 squad and can play either tight or loosehead.

Once he settles in he will add another dimension to Tredegar's forward firepower.

With the King's Head waterlogged, the only matches involving Cwmbran on Saturday were the Athletic and Youth.

Both recorded good wins away from home.

Cwmbran Youth won their Gwent Cup match against Tredegar 17-7.

Captain Michael Lang led his side well with the Crows front row of Gareth Parker, Louis Pengelly and Andrew Lang pushing the Tredegar pack on numerous occasions, taking several against the head.

Others who stood out were Steed, Witts, Cook and Thomas.

The Crows scored two fine tries through Allen and Wannell, with Luke Brown converting both and kicking a penalty.

The Athletic took on Blaina United and came away with an excellent 36-17 victory.

They scored five tries through Shane James, Steve Pace, Chris Alford, Carl Moore (2), and four conversions and a penalty by Dave Saunders.

Players who stood out in this all-action game were Nick Bryant, Richard Gough, Dan Arnold and Jason Perkins.