NEWPORT HSOB U-14s travelled to TALYWAIN for their opening game and it would turn out to be a hard fixture for the visitors.

It was a fairly even contest for the first 20 mins but the home side would show there dominance running out 52-0 winners.

PONTYPOOL United RFC are running rugby coaching sessions for boys aged 12 and 13 for their new Under-14s squad.

The sessions will be run by the club’s Welsh Rugby Union trained level one and two coaches. Call 07795 148176.

Cwmbran U-12s travelled to Talywain this weekend for a game that saw the team improve on the previous week’s form. The game kicked off with a good start by the Cwmbran squad dominating play even with the difficult pitch conditions.

An unconverted try came in the first half from lock Khrisnan Hariharan, followed by one from captain Lloyd Saunders who convert the second score and take the team to a half-time lead of 13-0.

Talywain didn't let the Crows steal the game and made them work hard throughout, battling for the ball. In the second half Talywain began by dominating play, but the Cwmbran team soon re-grouped and tries came courtesy of Zak Joliffee (converted by Lloyd Saunders), second row Jack Lloyd and Khrisnan Hariharan.

The Crows kept the pressure on and the game ended 29-0.

Inside centre Elliot Jones was excellent, communicating well and putting in good runs and the forwards gelled well, in particular Jack Lloyd and Henry Waite.

Cwmbran team: Lloyd Saunders (captain), Corey Quiller, Ethan Hayes, Harrison Hamilton-Hodge, Isacc Powell, Elliot Jones, Connor Remnant, Morgan Greenslade, Henry Waite, Khrisnan Hariharan, Ieuan Hardwick, Aaron Harris, Rhys Davies, Harry Bown, Joe Edmunds, Zak Joliffee, James Travers, Keanu William-Mark, Declan Joyce, Jack Lloyd and Ben Cuddihy. Caerleon Under-15s entertained Pencoed who showed their class and skill to run in several unanswered tries, winning 51-0.

The home side were missing several players and the coaches had to put together a makeshift scratch side with some players playing out of position.

Caerleon started the game lively enough and applied early pressure on the Pencoed try line.

But after several attacks they couldn’t quite make the breakthrough.

The visitors soaked up the early pressure and then turned defence into attack as their backs swiftly moved the ball wide and score a fantastic try deep from within their own half.

Pencoed then seemed to be running in tries at will. By half-time the score was 32-0. The second half started much the same and the referee blew early to save even more punishment being inflicted by the opposition. Talywain U-13s took part in the Aberdare Tournament and faced Bridgend Athletic in their first game who opened the scoring. Talywain hit back with a Euan Lewis try but Athletic led 10-5 at the break. Joel Whitcombe brought the Tigers level but they lost with the very last play as Athletic crossed the try line to win 15-10.

Last season’s Blues Regional Cup finalists Abercynon spun the ball wide to race into a 15-0 lead at halftime. Joel Whitcombe came on and scored the only try of the second half as the Tigers lost 15-5.

Mountain Ash had one player red carded but still won 20-0. Pride had to be restored against Abercwmboi and Talywain ran riot, scoring eight tries in the first half. There were four more before the whistle went two minutes early. Tries were scored by Scott Williams (3), Ben Sullivan (2), Duan Thomas (2), Euan Lewis, Whitcombe, Tyler Lewis, Lewis Pipe and Ryan Parfitt.

The biggest cheers were for Pipe’s first try in three years and for Parfitt’s first ever try after the unselfishness of Whitcombe.

This Sunday Talywain host their own tournament. Kick off is at 10am.

Pontypool United, Cwmbran, Abergavenny, Caerphilly and Merthyr take part.

St Joseph’s U-10s 7 Newbridge 1 – St Joe’s marched to their second successive victory with a convincing win at home to a well organised Newbridge team.

The first half was equally contested and Newbridge took the lead.

Two excellent tries from Harry and Rhys saw St Joe’s going into half-time 2-1 up.

The second half was dominated by St Joe’s aggressive defence which stopped Newbridge scoring and also produced a number of important turnovers.

Every try in the second half came from a turnover which started in their own half, St Joe’s showing patience in their build up with some fine phase play before the gaps started to appear.

Further tries came from Brandon (2), Owen and two more by Rhys for him to achieve his hat trick.

Risca U-16s welcomed St Joseph’s to Waunfawr Park for their first home game of the season.

St Joseph’s took the upper hand, enjoying early territorial advantage.

However as the half progressed Risca gained a foothold and started to enjoy the lion’s share of possession.

James Meredith started pulling the strings at fly half and Risca looked destined to breach St Joseph’s resilient defence.

However errors and poor decision making at crucial times denied Risca the chance to get the scoreboard ticking over.

Just before half-time though, St Joseph’s stout defence eventually succumbed allowing Risca centre Marcus Trevett to ghost over after fine interplay from the Risca backs.

The second half saw more of the same with Risca continuing to dominate possession and territory without having the ability to trouble the scorer further.

Pressure eventually told though when Amandeep Buttar bulldozed his way over the line from the back of a Risca scrum.

Risca won 10-0 but credit must be given to St Joseph’s for their efforts throughout a fine game, their inexperienced front row doing a great job in particular against much bigger opponents.

St Julian’s U-13s welcomed Whitchurch to the Glebelands a week last Tuesday and the home side showed some great passing and handling skills, keeping the ball alive at every opportunity.

Whitchurch tackled well, but great support work enabled Saints to run in tries through Alexi Webb, Josh Blanks, James Haslett, Rob Moore, Oakley Mighton, Elffin Summers and Morgan Davies.

Sam Broadribb and Webb knocked over some conversions. Whitchurch did have their moments and attacked with purpose at times.

But great defence work by Harri Archer, Sam Bourne, Josh Blanks and Nathan Stone in particular kept the Saints line intact.

The final score saw St Julian’s win 50-0. Saints’ player of the match was Alexi Webb.

St Julian’s u-13s made a quick start against Abertillery when Luc Slocombe set up rucked ball that went along the line to Joe Donovan, who raced in from the halfway line with Broadribb converting.

Rob Moore made it 12-0 with another long range effort which Broadribb again converted.

The Saints backs showed fine passing skills in putting Mighton into space and he finished off for his second converted try.

Abertillery tried to run the ball from their 22, but a dropped pass was hacked on by Donovan who picked up to score and make it 26-0.

Saints scrum-half James Haslett set up the next try. Passing then looping around Josh Blanks, his offload put Alexi Webb in on a great angle to touch down for a 31-0 lead.

Abertillery pulled one back with a converted try. Saints went further ahead when a lovely inside pass from Webb found Mighton coming through at speed to score under the posts. Webb converted.

Mighton scored his hat trick when Saints won turnover ball and a good pass from Donovan sent him over in the corner.

But Abertillery again hit back with a lovely try, scored from a move which started in their own half.

St Julian’s won 45-12. Saints’ player of the match was Oakley Mighton.