Trinant entertained Oakdale in what is normally a humdinger of a local derby.

However the extremely blustery conditions put pay to any quality moments and dropped passes, wayward kicks and lineout throws seemed to be the order of the day.

The Troggs' forwards played well in patches with captain Paul Lloyd, as ever, leading by example and Adam Rogers, Craig Maddock and flanker Jason Leadbeater working hard for the cause.

Trinant's backline are playing wellwithfullback Dai Morgan and centre Ryan Jones showing good form.

Jones in particular is playing well with his strong running and determined attitude.

The home side eventually won 36-7 with tries by Lloyd, Ian Jenkins, Jones, Morgan, and Leadbeater.

Fly half Jamie Lyons kicked four conversions and a penalty.

Oakdale showed great spirit and competed to the end.

Despite the win Trinant were disappointed with their performance.

The team management have told the fronteight that they must be more cohesive and start playing as a unit andnot as individuals.

cwmcarn ended their league season in style with an emphatic victory over high flyers hollybush.

Cwmcarn played expansive rugby from the first whistle.

They took the lead with a wonderful length of the field try finished by the impressive Ieuan Parsons.

Another superb move saw Shaun Gilchrist feed Budgie Thomas to score in the corner.

Hollybush replied with a converted try but Carn scored a converted try with Kiearan Gilchrist this time the scorer to lead 17-7 at the break.

Hollybush started the second half well with their large pack to the fore.

They scored a try with Dai Jones weaving his magic to get over in the corner.

Hollybush came back again strongly and going into the last quarter the game was well balanced with Cwmcarn just ahead 22-17.

Cwmcarn's superior fitness and three quarter skills were evident in these last minutes .

Two more fine tries were scored by Matthew Hughes and Parsons again whose twinkle toes dazzled all those lucky enough to be present!

The final score was 36-17 to Cwmcarn.

There were many fine displays but the star performer was Shaun Gilchrist.

He is developing into a fine player.

RISCA made it four consecutive victories with a 42-12 defeat of Talywain.

Five excellent tries and 17 points from the boot of young Jason Evans Junior.

With plentiful supply of ball, Risca attacked at every opportunity but the young Talywain side held firm. After 23 minutes, Risca's two penalties by Jason Evans were the only difference.

Then quick hands by David Jefferson and Chad Bushell put in Lee Llewellyn who crashed through for a good try, converted by Evans.

After some excellent work by Martin Jones and Martin Williams in the power house, Talywain conceded a penalty converted by Evans.

Just on the stroke of half-time and with Talywain in possession, Chad Bushell charged down a clearance by his opposite number, picked up and under the posts for an easy try converted by Evans.

After the interval, Talywain scored a great try breaking out of defence to run 60 metres, which was converted.

Risca stormed straight back with the back row of Sam Wright, Gareth Smith and Richard Evans taking over with some outstanding rugby.

Gareth Smith got the next try after a great forward drive, Evans converted.

Richard Evans capped a great performance with two excellent tries, Evans Senior converted one.

The young Talywain side, who contributed a lot to this fine game of rugby, had the last say with a good try.

Next Saturday Risca travel to Abertillery hoping to continue their fine run.

THERE was a much improved performance by Cwmbran in all areas of play and attitude on Saturday despite going down 19-10 to Brynmawr.

Playing against a much bigger pack and up the Kings Head slope first half, the Crows were desperately unlucky to be 12-10 down at the interval.

All the rugby was played by the Black and Whites with Brynmawr's attack built on a potent driving lineout which they effectively employed throughout.

The back three, Carl Moore, Chris Wannell and Gareth Groves were dangerous every time they had the ball.

And it was no surprise when Moore sped over in the corner following a well executed kick.

By virtue of some powerful forward drives the visitors scored two first half tries, one of which was converted.

But back came Cwmbran.

Good approach work by Bryant, Teague and Edwards paved the way for number eight Gavin Cook to power over for a corner try.

Despite the scrum going particularly well first half with hooker Rhys Price taking a ball against the head, Cwmbran couldn't muster a further score.

A harsh yellow card to flanker Gavin Teague gave Brynmawr the ascendancy they needed to score their third try late in the second half.

This was after tremendous defensive work by Thomas, Scrivens, O'Brien and Watkins who had repelled all attacks.

Even so, had Cwmbran opted to kick a late penalty they could have gained a bonus point.

On Saturday the first team are away to Abergavenny in the league.

The Athletic also narrowly lost on Saturday losing 18-15 away to Chepstow.

Scorers were Ian Bradfield, Davies Smith (tries), Richard Lewis (penalty), Luke Brown (conversion).

On Saturday the Athletic are away to Caldicot.

IN a tough encounter, Girling overcame a strong and determined Newport HSOB second team to gain a hard earned 24-15 home win.

Both sides started briskly, throwing the ball about at every opportunity.

The visitors slowly gained the upper hand and by half time were in the lead by a converted try. Girling hoped to get quickly back into the match but the visitors stunned them with another try to go further ahead.

This lead was short lived however and a quickly taken penalty resulted in scrum half Andy Bates crossing for a try before flanker James Morgan sprinted half the length of the pitch to claim a try which Bates converted Girling now looked the stronger of the two teams and took the lead when prop forward Gary Hitchens crashed over for the first of his two tries, following good work from the forwards.

His second came in a similar manner, unstoppable from a tapped penalty five yards out to seal victory.

4:21pm Wednesday 26th March 2008

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