Rugby round-up

Tredegar were determined to help the Cardiff side return to the third division by scoring another eight tries, piling misery on an unhappy season fora team ill-equipped to perform at this level.

The Tredegar squad was depleted due to the absence of several players who were attending Daniel Morris' wedding but nonetheless they scored six tries in the first half with Greg Jones firing over five conversions to add 10 points to his personal tally.

Llanishen were unable to contain the pace of theTredegar threequarters withRob Smith and Jamie Henthorne scoring a braceapiece.

Jack Dawson and Steve Knight had each crossed, demonstrating the authority of the Tredegar eight and allLlanishen could manage was a solitary five points from the efforts of Owen Jenkins.

Tredegar's superiority was curtailed in the second half with passive scrums becoming the order of the day.

James Atwill added another try to his his successful first season with Tredegar while the impressive Stuart Jarman barged over, bagging another try with the number 8 having one of his best seasons thisyear.

Tredegar complete their league programme away to Rhydyfelin on Saturday.

CWMBRAN finished their season off in disappointing fashion, losing 28-17 at home to Rhymney.

Both sides ran the ball on every occasion with the visitors outscoring the Crows by four tries to three.

The damage was done first half. Cwmbran took the field with no number 8 or inside half as Gavin Cook and Shaun Watkins arrived late - both came on as second-half substitutes.

Rhymney, after three kicks at goal, finally opened the scoring with five minutes of the half to go as their speedy backs broke through for a converted try.

Early in second half they scored two more to race to a 21-0 lead. With Watkins now on at inside half and Gareth Groves moved back to centre, the Crows backline had more shape about it.

A sweeping move involving Chris Wannell, Gareth Jelley and Kyle Scrivens resulted in a Groves try which Carl Moore converted.

The comeback was short-lived, however, as Rhymney broke from defence to score the best try of the game which again was converted.

With time running out, Cwmbran ran every ball and were rewarded by tries from Carl Moore and Shaun Watkins. However, they ran out of time against a Rhymney side who played with a lot of pace, hitting excellent running angles throughout.

On May 17 the club will be holding a dinner at Greenmeadow Golf Club. The awards night is on Friday, May 23.

Prior to both of these events a large party of players are on tour in Spain starting May 8.

BLACKWOOD'S 21-13 victory over NEWBRIDGE at the Welfare Ground showed the arguments for and against summer rugby.

Shirt sleeves, hard pitches and lovely weather for the former, but also the heat making for tired players resulting in an error-strewn game.

Blackwood's Jeremy Lloyd kicked the opening penalty, which was the only score of a sterile first quarter.

The visiting pack were winning the arm wrestle, pushing Newbridge off the ball at successive scrumages.

Sean Thomas, and David James exchanged penalties before Sean Emery produced the one piece of quality of the opening stanza, when he collected his own chip to score comfortably.

Thomas kicked another penalty to narrow the half time score to 11-6.

Blackwood went for the jugular at the start of the second half and piled on the pressure. Owen Williams was bundled out at the corner flag, but Lloyd added a drop goal at the ensuing line out to extend the lead.

Luke Knight got the killer score, when he broke through a gap to score. Lloyd converted and the visitors were clear.

It didn't help the home side, when at one stage they were down to 13 men, after successive red and yellow cards.

But Blackwood failed to make the most of their numerical advantage, and in fact Newbridge gained a consolation try.

It was a very popular one, as retiring prop Andrew Oliver was at the bottom of a rolling maul to claim it. Thomas converted to give a final score of 21-13.

It was a comfortable victory for the visitors and they now go forward to play Bargoed away tonight with the winners taking third spot in the table.

BLAINA entertained Nelson at the Central Park on Saturday looking for the double over their .

In a hard encounter Blaina sneaked a 20-19 victory scoring a try just before the final whistle.

Nelson got off to a great start as their talented young scrum half Steve Parry caught Blaina off guard with a quickly taken tap penalty he crashed over for a well deserved try, the conversion failed.

Blaina were quick to respond and good work by Justin Watts and Christen Penny took play into the Nelson 22. They conceded a penalty which Ross Watts slotted over to put Blaina within striking distance.

Blaina kept the pressure on and a good break by David Jones ended with flanker Stuart Tandy scoring the try of the game as he sprinted 50 metres for a brilliant solo effort. Ross Watts converted to give Blaina a 10-5 lead.

Blaina full back Lee Johns split the Nelson defence only to be brought down deep in the 22. Minutes later the full back looked to have picked up a serious leg injury. He was taken to Nevill Hall Hospital and kept in overnight for observation.

Nelson defended well to prevent any further Blaina scores in the first half and then punished some sloppy Blaina defence as scrum half Parry darted over for his second try to level the scores, Ryan Jones converted to put his side 12-10 in front at half time Blaina started well in the second half with Ross Watts kicking well to take play into the Nelson 22, Christen Penny won good lineout ball which was moved quickly to wing Daniel Roberts who chipped ahead and regathered the ball. Blaina captain Craig Edwards took the final pass to crash over for an unconverted try and put Blaina back in front.

Blaina had a chance to increase their lead but Watts was off target with a penalty attempt.

The Nelson pack were doing well, especially with their driving mauls and quality lineout possession.

They were eventually rewarded as full back Ryan Jones evaded several tackles to crash over for a try which he converted himself to put his side ahead with only 10 minutes remaining.

Blaina's woes continued as talented young hooker Craig Fillier was stretchered off and taken to hospital with a serious ankle injury.

In the dying minutes a great break by centre Ross Watts split the defence and full back Barrie Reagan took the final pass to snatch a dramatic last gasp win for Blaina.

The win keeps Blaina in fifth position in the league but the victory was overshadowed by the bad injuries picked up by Johns and Fillier.

Everyone at Blaina wished the players a speedy recoveries.

Blaina play their final league game of the season this evening as they entertain Garndiffaith at the Central Park (kick-off 6.45pm).