Newbridge 21 Treorchy 8

NEWBRIDGE bounced back from two successive defeats and put on a gritty display to overcome Treorchy last night.

Backs coach Jonathan Westwood emphasised the importance of a quick return to winning ways.

"We said prior to the game that all we wanted was the win. We've lost games this season from trying to play too much rugby, so we said to forget that and just go for the win," he said.

"We had a simple game plan and should have scored far more points in terms of the territorial advantage we had, but the players delivered our only goal of the night so I can't ask for more."

The first half was largely forgettable and it was difficult to see how Treorchy toppled high-flying Pontypool last Saturday.

Newbridge failed to stamp their authority as outside half Jason Williams' goal kicking was wayward.

But Williams opened the scoring with a 14th minute penalty. Treorchy outside half Richard Langmead departed with a head wound and his temporary blood replacement David Owen kicked them level.

After three penalty misses from Williams, full back Alun Harries took over and edged Newbridge into a 6-3 lead at the break.

Newbridge exploded into life straight from the re-start and caught Treorchy cold.

Left wing Martin Ridley caught a high clearance kick and swerved past several defenders before being driven over by his forwards.

Former Ebbw Vale player Harries then extended the lead with a penalty before Newbridge struck again.

The ball came back to Williams, who chipped over the top of the Treorchy defence and the centre Shane Webley won the race for the touchdown.

Treorchy burst through with a late consolation try through wing Karl Rees, but it was too little too late.