NEWBRIDGE captured local bragging rights and moved above Division One East rivals Blackwood by defeating their closest rivals 24-21 at home.
In the same section Tredegar took a further step towards safety with a third win in four games thanks to a sparkling six-try, away display while in Division Two East, Brynmawr maintained their outside hopes of promotion with a 50plus-point home success.
Most of the day’s interest, however, was aimed at the Welfare Ground where visiting Blackwood were seeking a fifth-successive win since beating Newbridge 8-7 at home on February 27.
However there was to be no double celebrations as a try from right winger Matthew Burke, converted by outside half Danny Ellis, secured the victory for Newbridge.
They are now third, a point ahead of Blackwood having played a game more, and the win delighted team manager Chris Jones.
“This was a good, hard local derby and we are extremely pleased to have come out on top,” revealed Jones, whose side posted its 12th win in 17 league outings.
“I believe we deserved the victory and every player did his bit. It would be wrong to pin-point individuals because this was very much a huge team effort and credit must go to all.”
Left winger Darryl Williams also crossed for Newbridge with Ellis being successful with a quartet of penalties.
For Blackwood, tries came from second row forward Marc Gwilt and number eight David Brake while outside half Richard Powell slotted over a conversion and a trio of penalties.
Blackwood now have a quick opportunity to recover, visiting Tredegar tomorrow (kick-off 7.15pm) Tredegar will start in extremely high spirits following a superb, 47-25 away win over sixth-placed Rumney, where the Gwent club passed through the 300-points barrier for the season.
Touching down for five-pointers were full back Luke James (2), prop forward Jack Dawson, left winger Matthew Jolly, flanker David Ford and replacement centre Craig Lloyd.
On target with the boot for Tredegar, who remain eighth of 12, was scrum half Darren Pierce, who kicked over four conversions and three penalties.
It was sixth versus eighth as Brynmawr hosted Abercynon, although the winning margin was certainly a lot higher as the home side ran in no less than eight tries in a 55-21 romp.
There was a hat-trick for outside half Nathan Preece, two by number eight Gareth Morgan and one apiece for open-side flanker Peter Allen, left winger Richard Dennington and centre Grant Harty with the rest of the points coming from full back Matthew Jordan, who was successful with half-a-dozen conversions and a penalty.
“We started like a house on fire and led 36-0 after just 17 minutes,” revealed Brynmawr coach Carl Martin.
“That obviously set us up for the rest of the game, although we must give the opposition credit for making a fist of it after that.
“We played some excellent rugby at times and scored a few really good tries. We are still only nine points off a promotion spot and have three matches in hand, so it’s certainly still all to play for.”
While Brynmawr could yet get out of the division via promotion, struggling Garndiffaith and Newport Sarries remain deep in the mire.
However, while 11th-placed Garndiffaith slipped to a 12th defeat in 16 starts, this time 31-18 at home to fellow-strugglers Penaltta, there was a rare success for the Sarries.
The bottom club travelled to face fifth-placed Rhydyfelin with only three wins from 15 matches to their name – but returned in great spirits thanks to a brilliant 20-19 win.
The Sarries were forced to hang on after the home side made use of second row Gavin Spiller’s spell in the sin-bin by recovering from 20-9 down to within a point at just 20-19.
“Matters were getting a bit fraught and it was akin to the Alamo during that 10-minute period,” admitted Sarries official Mark Leverson.
“But we fought them off and although we are still adrift of our rivals, the dream of staying up remains alive.”
For the Sarries, tries came from right winger Dale Leith (2) and flanker Spencer Gibson with full back Calum Turner rounding up the points by kicking a conversion and a penalty.
Division Three title-chasers Abergavenny consolidated their table-topping status with a 24-14 win at Newport HSOB, where winger Will Williams, number eight James Williams plus centres Stuart and Ian Davies scored tries, while bottom-placed Cwmbran went down 28-22 at Tredegar Ironsides.
Abergavenny sealed a bonus-point 24-14 win at Newport HSOB.
However Fleur-de-Lys remain in the hunt and are are 11 points behind the leaders with four games in hand after Paul Emanuelli kicked 19 points and Jamie Henthorn crossed twice in a 29-24 win at Croesyceiliog.
Abertillery Blaenau Gwent continue to rule the roost in Division Four East, their latest win being a 35-24 triumph at Abercarn with basement side Old Illtydians enjoying a rare win – although a 29-14 home success over the team immediately above them St. Joseph’s fails to take them off the bottom.
Run-away Division Five East leaders Oakdale are now unbeaten in 16 league games after beating second-placed Blaenavon 27-15 and, although bottom-placed Pontllanfraith lost again, this time it was only by 9-0 at Ynysddu.
The only local side in Division Five South East, Blackwood Stars, defeated visiting Cefn Coed 26-14 to remain top of the pile.
New Division Six East leaders Beaufort moved above Cefn Fforest, whose game at basement outfit Cwm was postponed, by virtue of a 44-6 home success over Blaina United, while in Division Six South East it’s as you were with table-topping Hafodyrynys winning 21-14 at Caerleon.
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