FOUL weather allowed only Newbridge to get on the paddock in Division One East of the Asda League, and they made full use of the opportunity by clinching their firstwin since October 27.

Not since the 10-8 home success over Llantrisant had Newbridge tasted victory - losing three and drawing another.

However, the Gwent side's 23-17 home win, their fourth in 11 league outings, over UWIC at the Welfare Ground moves them up a couple of places to seventh in the table.

"There's little doubt had the match been played on Friday night, then it would have been called off," revealed Newbridge's Chris Jones.

"However, the pitch was covered in parts and we managed to get the match under way, although the conditions thereafter were dreadful.

"But we got off to a great start and led 20-0 just before the break when UWIC scored their first points via a converted try.

"They kept coming back into it and we nearly threw it away. We were under some pressure, but just managed to hold on in the end and deserved the victory.

"I don't usually single out players for special praise but scrum-half Tom Edwards was absolutely outstanding throughout.

"He is only 20, and what a prospect he is, while another one who did well was Wales under-20 hooker Ben Roberts.

"But make no mistake, this was a great team effort and there wasn't a player who gave less than 100 per cent effort.

"We're up to seventh now and you have to realise we've a lot of home games to come and if we can win those, we'll finish even higher with a little bit of luck."

Jones explained experienced former Ebbw Vale, Pontypool and Bristol centre Jonathan Hawker remained on the replacements' bench because he didn't have chance to get to know the side's moves following his mid-week move from divisional rivals Merthyr.

However, Jones gave the thumbs-up to promising back-row forward David Ford, who made his debut second time around after recently rejoining Newbridge from Welsh Premiership outfit Newport.

"David Ford is a good player," concluded Jones. "He knows what we are about and he will do well for us."

In Division Two East there were fairly hefty away defeats for both Tredegar and Pill Harriers.

Tredegar travelled to Ynysybwl, but went down to a 27-3 drubbing. After going 3-0 down early on, outside- half Greg Jones soon levelled for the Gwent side with a well-struck penalty.

However, precious little else went right for Tredegar after that as the home side ran out deserving winners.

"We missed a couple of try-scoring opportunities but Ynysybwl played the poor conditions far better than we did and we've no complaints whatever about the result," said Tredegar Supporters Club chairman Alan Medleycott.

He revealed because Tredegar are not in action on the following couple of Saturdays, when scheduled opponents Ystrad Mynach are involved in the Welsh Cup and Wales face England at Twickenham in their Six Nations Championship opener, the club has arranged two friendlies against Division One sides.

On Saturday, Tredegar visit the Welfare Ground to face Newbridge, kick-off 2.30pm, before hosting Pontypool on Tuesday, January 29, kick-off 7.15pm.

Bottom-but-one Pill Harriers slipped to a 20-0 away defeat at the hands of fourth-placed Mountain Ash - the Newport side's 12th straight league loss since the start of the season.

The whole of the Division Three East programme was wiped out, while in Division Four East Abertillery BG maintained second position behind Gwernyfed by winning 15-3 at Llandaff, where number eight Lee Meredith and winger Aled Penn scored tries.

There was a shock for Division Five East leaders Blaenavon, who were thumped 30-10 at fourth-placed Trinant, whose number eight forward Paul Lloyd crossed for a couple of five-pointers.

The result enabled Caldicot to go top after they had won 22-8 at home to bottom-but-one Ynysddu with the front-row union celebrating prop James Captan's try hat trick.

Asda League matches postponed involving Gwent clubs: Division One East - Caerphilly v Blackwood; Llanharan v Fleur-de-Lys; Newport Saracens v Bargoed; Pontypool v Rumney. Division Two East - Newport HSOB v Treherbert. Division Three East - Blaina v Garndiffaith; Croesyceiliog v New Tredegar; Pontllanfraith v Abergavenny; Pontypool United v Cwmbran; Rhymney v Brynmawr. Division Four East - Brynithel v Nantyglo; Rhiwbina v Machen. Division Five East - Llanhilleth v Chepstow; Oakdale v Bettws; RTB Ebbw Vale v Crumlin.