GWENT clubs returned to Asda League action following a break for Wales' World Cup clash with Australia - but only Fleur-de-Lys managed to win in the top two divisions.

Fleur, though, had to do it the hard way, blindside flanker Matthew Laurence crossing just seconds from time to clinch his side's first Division One East success of the campaign following two defeats - a 27-25 victory over visiting bottom-placed outfit Llanharan.

However, Fleur team manager Mark Thomas insists Laurence's last-gasp heroics earned his team a deserved success.

"No doubt about it, we thoroughly earned it," exclaimed Thomas, whose side is now eighth of 12.

"We deserved it because we had the better of the territory and the possession while we also squandered good try-scoring opportunities.

"This win is certainly reward for all the hard work which everyone has put in, especially the players, and I'm delighted for them all.

"It's a great morale-booster for us all at the club."

Fleur's other points came from a try by centre and skipper Richard Jones and five penalties and a conversion by in-form full back Gary Wilkes.

Elsewhere in Division One East, there was an away defeat for Newbridge and home losses for both Blackwood and Newport Saracens.

Newbridge are still coming to terms with the recent untimely death of coach Steve Jones and they were out of luck when they visited Cardiff to take on the students of UWIC.

Newbridge slipped to an 18-12 reverse and down to sixth place in the table, while UWIC are now second behind Pontypool.

However, Newbridge are convinced the 15th-minute sending off of centre Jessie Farthing for punching was the catalyst for the home side's eventual win.

"It was all uphill struggle after that," admitted Newbridge team manager Chris Jones. "We were always at a disadvantage following that incident.

"Our outside-half, Gavin Ashman, kept us in contention by kicking four penalties, but the sending off meant we had to drag one of our forwards off and that put us into disarray.

"To be perfectly honest with you, it was all a bit of a disaster."

Newbridge, who have won, drawn and lost their opening three league matches, have arranged to host Division One West outfit Bonymaen at the Welfare Ground on Saturday in a friendly fixture, kick-off 1.30pm.

Blackwood held an early 10-0 lead over visiting Caerphilly before squandering the advantage in losing 18-10 as they fell to a second defeat in three league outings.

Right-winger Owen Williams scored a try, with outside-half Greg Jones slotting over a conversion and a penalty, but the game's turning-point came with an injury to scrum-half Gavin Rees on 20 minutes.

"We got off to an excellent start and were looking very good," revealed Blackwood spokesman Lyn Hall.

"But the loss of Gavin Rees put us on the back foot and we simply couldn't get going again.

"It really upset us and suddenly we lost the flow of our game and there was no longer any continuity about it."

Blackwood are currently trying to arrange a home friendly game for Friday evening.

Newport Saracens coach Paul Evans offered no excuses for his side's 25-8 away defeat at the hands of third-placed Bargoed.

"There are simply none to give," said Evans. "We started very well, but faded equally badly and we never showed the passion we normally have.

"I suppose in many ways it doesn't help our cause that we are having to play all our matches away because our ground is not ready yet.

"But having said that, Bargoed thoroughly deserved their victory and we simply weren't at the races following that good beginning."

The Sarries are also seeking to arrange some friendlies to fill the void by the continuation of the World Cup.

Newport HSOB, Pill Harriers and Tredegar all fell to Division Two East defeats with some extraordinary goings-on at the Old Boys' 23-19 home loss to sixth-placed Rhydfelin.

The Old Boys were leading 14-13 when a visiting substitute player who was acting as a touch-judge signalled that one of his colleagues had put a foot in touch as he ran towards the home side's try line.

But as soon as the acting touch-judge saw his team-mate carry on to cross, he put his flag down and as a result, the match referee awarded a try.

The resulting inquest saw the acting touch-judge step on to the field of play to remonstrate with some home players, and following a mêlée, both he and HSOB forward Glen Stroud were sent off.

However, a rule anomaly was later uncovered when the match assessor confirmed the acting touch-judge was sent off as an official and not a player, and that he could have been called upon to join the match as a bona-fide replacement.

Home full-back Matthew Burke then sprinted 75 yards for a try which put Blackwood 19-18 ahead, and from that moment on they were favourites to secure their opening win of the season.

However, wrong options at a couple of scrums enabled Rhydfelin to gain possession to secure their success with a late touchdown.

Earlier, number eight Lee Blunt and winger Nicky Piper scored tries for Blackwood, with the rest of their points made up of two conversions from outside-half Will Edwards.

Pill Harriers are now pointless and 10th of 12 after slumping to a 43-13 away defeat against top-of-the-table Penallta, who ran in seven tries.

For the Newport-based side, scrum-half Carwyn Morgan scored all his team's points with a couple of tries and a penalty.

Pill confirmed that like the majority of local clubs, they too are searching for opponents for friendly games.

Tredegar's cause in seeking to win at second-placed Ystrad Rhondda certainly wasn't helped by having a couple of players sin-binned in a 33-14 defeat.

Their points came from a try by centre Daniel Davies and a hat trick of penalties by outside-half Darryl Carter.

Tredegar have arranged to travel on Saturday for a friendly against bottom-placed Division One West Dunvant, kick-off 1.30pm, and they are next in league action on October 6 when they entertain Blackwood.

* In Division Three East, Abergavenny remain top thanks to a 32-12 win at Rhymney, while Nantyglo are the highest-placed Gwent club in Division Four East - their 17-12 home success over Risca keeping them second.

Crumlin won 49-18 at bottom-placed Usk to maintain the leadership of Division Five East with the newly formed Division Six East section still headed by Caerleon, who were not in action.

In the same division, New Panteg's home match with Blackwood Stars was level at 14-all when the match was abandoned after the match referee picked up an injury.