ON SUNDAY, the newly formed St. Julians under-8s tag team travelled to play their first match against the also newly formed Newport Fugitives in their first match.

Both teams played very fast and free flowing rugby which the large crowd of supporters fully enjoyed.

St. Julians would like to thank the Fugitive players, supporters and coaching team for their very friendly and warm welcome.

On the field there was only one winner and that was the kids, with huge smiles across their faces, they enjoyed every last minute.

If anyone is interested in playing under-8s tag rugby, training is held every Saturday morning from 10.30am until noon, meeting at the club house in the Glebelands.

Talywain under-nines played away to a strong Abertillery side and started well with an opening try three minutes into the game.

Abertillery drew level at 1-1 before Talywain stepped up a gear to keep their unbeaten record for the season going with a excellent performance by the team.

Jordan Thomas had a cracking game with some lovely runs and tries by Lewis Ball, Jordan Horler, Danny Davies and Caelan May gave Talywain a 6-1 victory.

New Panteg under-11s continued their recent travels and good form with a well deserved victory against a very strong St Josephs side.

The home team used their superior size to their advantage and raced to a 15-0 lead by half-time.

But New Panteg never gave in and gradually started to control possession and the game and a score by winger Dalton Smith early in the second half visibly increased confidence.

Ethan Winstone then scored the first of his two tries following a long run by George Collins.

Winstone's second brought the scores level and a 20-15 victory was secured when Rob James scored from the last move of the game.

Caerleon under-11s, captained by Harry Powell, welcomed Caldicot under-11s on Sunday and ran out comfortable 59-0 winners.

Joshua Belcher took a quick penalty and scored the first try of the game.

Further tries for Caerleon came in quick succession from Jake Sutherland, Jack Davies (2), Harry Powell, Liam Painter and Joshua Belcher.

The second half kicked off with Caldicot's defence much stronger than in the first half, but Caerleon kept on the attack, eventually breaking down the strong defence of Caldicot and scoring two further tries through Jack Davies and Jordan Tayler.

Caerleon's conversions were taken by Joshua Belcher (1), Harry Powell (5) and Declan Beesley (1).

Without five regular players and with no substitutes St. Joseph's (Casnewydd) RFC under-13s put in a solid performance away to NHSOB.

Due to player absences two St. Joes forwards had to play in the backs and two other forwards played their first full games of the season but despite having to reorganise positions they held NHSOB to 10-10 by half time with tries coming from wings Fabio Lion and Ian Ashley-Ware.

NHSOB fly half Ryan Davis had a hand in both their first half tries, putting dynamic Dan Southall in under the posts, and Steven Williams in on the left corner after a great miss pass.

Jack Ford's arrival in the second half made the hosts safe with a hat-trick of tries that owed everything to Ford's pace and power, while Southall went in for his second.

Rhys Anderson converted three tries.

St Josephs scrum half Rory Chandler and fly half Lewis Proctor combined well as a new partnership and Proctor made some outstanding tackles.

In the second half NHSOB brought on fresh legs whilst St. Joes had to grit their teeth, dig deep and depend on their fitness levels.

St. Joes worked tirelessly to secure a final try of their own through Ashley-Ware again to making the final score 36-15.

Mention should be made of captain Leighton Marasco who led by example and had an important hand in Lion's try and Jamie Hughes who did a great job as pack leader for the first time.

However, man of the match for St. Joes was lock Simon Benstead because of his strong attacks good tackling around the field and improved fitness.

St. Josephs wish to thank NHSOB for lending them two players for part of the game and wish them good luck in the next round of the cup.

Newport Whitehead Steelers under-13s' visit to Pontypool ended in a 17 - 17draw.

The match was a thrilling encounter played at speed and was end to end stuff.

The Steelers opened the scoring when William Gallivan just managed to get his hand to the ball before a Pontypool defender following an intelligent kick forward from Jonathan Mcdonagh.

Moments later Taran Studdart made it 10-0 with his 19th try of the season.

Pontypool came back into the game with three tries and one conversion in the second half despite some fierce tackling and staunch defending from the Steelers with Scott Ireland on fine form in the centre not missing a tackle.

It looked that, despite all their best efforts and having played some great rugby, the Steelers were going to end up on the losing side when with just seconds left Studdart broke loose and ran in his 20th try of the season and second of the game right under the posts.

However, Jonathan Mcdonagh converted to bring the sides level with the very last kick of the game.

Chepstow under-14s are now only three games away from a final at the Millennium Stadium after beating Croesyceiliog 34-26.

Chepstow opened the scoring with a try from Stefan Reynolds and dominated the first half but it was level at 12-12 at the break.

Croesyceiliog scored twice at the beginning of the second half and Chepstow looked dead and buried but in a magnificent 15 minutes of attacking rugby, Chepstow scored 22 points to win the game.

Chepstow now play the Mid Glamorgan champions, Lewys School, Pengam, in the next round on Friday, February 22.

The bus will be leaving at 11.30am.

The under-14s, along with current year seven and eight pupils, are already saving for their World Tour in 2012 and there is a fundraising Valentine's Ball at Chepstow Leisure Centre this Saturday.

For tickets call the school on 01291 635777.

PONTYPOOL UTD COLTS under-14s played away to Newport Steelers and a tight tussle ended in a 17-17 draw.

Colts centre Zach Heneghan opened the score with a try but that was soon cancelled out with one for the Steelers through Giles Jennings, taking the half time score to 5-5.

With the Colts not playing their best the second half was equally as tight.

Winger Adam Stratton increased Utd's lead to 10-5 but again the Steelers bounced back with another try, this time from Rhys Howells.

Utd, who were on top formost of the second half, found themselves behind on the score sheet when the home team retook the lead with a second try from Howells, skilfully converted by Lloyd Davies.

Having not lost so far this season, the Colts never gaveup and were soon rewarded with a try for full back Ryan Jones with Haydn Simons converting, finishing off a fair result for both teams.

Caerleon beat Abergavenny 44-7 in their under-16 district cup semi-final.

Although Caerleon, the reigning district cup holders, dominated the game and at times showed some beautiful rugby, it was to be strewn with handling errors from the home side, with no less than five forward passes and a number of dropped balls.

Abergavenny put up a strong defence and counter-attacked well, particularly in the first half as the score was kept to 17-7.

In the second half the game opened up and Caerleon ran in five more tries to book their place in the final where they will face either Bargoed or Blackwood.

Caerleon Academy under 16s ran in 11 unanswered tries to beat Tredegar.

The hatful of tries were scored by Tom Stroud, Ieuan Beal, Sam Head (2), Lloyd Robling, Joe Blackmore (4) and finally Lewis Thompson (2).

After two hard victories in a row New Panteg under-16s were firmly brought back down to earth with a 47-7 defeat at home to Nelson.

Panteg put in a very lacklustre performance against a feisty Nelson team who were the most determined on the day.

The consolation score came from Matt Cummins who also kicked over the conversion.