With a waterlogged pitch forcing the leaders Pontypridd’s game against Neath to be called off, second placed Newport looked to draw level at the top of the Principality Premiership last Saturday.
However a bonus point win eluded them as they grabbed a hard-fought win over Llanelli. Newport tries from Dai Patterson and Adam Frampton were cancelled out by a Jason Howells try for Llanelli and 9 points from the boot of Luke Richards, leaving Newport trailing 14-13 at the break. The game turned after the break, as Newport scored another try through Dai Jones to seal the win, 23-17.
Fourth placed Swansea were looking for a convincing win against lowly Ebbw Vale, but with a home crowd behind them and kicker Nick Wakeley in sparkling form, Vale were still in touch, 7-6 down at half time. Swansea never got going in the second period and Oliver Halford punished them, crossing over to lead his team to a 14-7 win.
Lowly Pontypool put up a stiff resistance at Memorial Park, where Glamorgan Wanderers struggled to overcome the league’s bottom side. The teams went in level at 10-10 at the interval, but Lee Highgate scored a late try and the Wanderers held on for the victory.
The basement battle at Pandy Park was won convincingly by Cross Keys against Carmarthen. The boot of Gareth David kept the scoreboard ticking over for Cross Keys and Robert Nash scored the try as the home side triumphed, 25-8.
In the other matches, the weather was victorious; Cardiff’s mid-table clash with Aberavon fell foul of the rain, as did the match between Bedwas and Llandovery.
