Rugby round-up

By Tivy-Side reporter

ALTHOUGH just failing to pull off one of the shock results of the season when going down 23-18 against visitors and Championship runaway

leaders Pontypool is was defeat with honour for Newcastle Emlyn who showed what they are capable of on their day.

The result maintained Pooler's 100 per cent record and a nine-point lead at the head of affairs but although the visitors were not at their best great credit should go to the Teifisiders who displayed high-quality attacking skills spearheaded on numerous occasions by outstanding fullback Shaun Leonard.

Perhaps it was a fair result at the end of the day and Emlyn can take heart from a rousing performance that deservedly brought them a losing bonus point.

The Red and Whites started at a frenetic pace and opened the scoring in the first minute when an up and under was gathered by left-winger Llyr Jones who ran in near the posts for Leonard to convert.

A scrummaging infringement led to the visitors getting a 40 metre penalty through outside half Mathew Jones and the same player landed a

long-range penalty.

Before the break Leonard dashed 40 metres for a superb try in the corner which went unconverted but putting Emlyn six points clear at the

interval.

With home prop Dai Bryant in the sin-bin early in the second half stand-in Pooler skipper Rob Nash crossed for a try and Jones converted to

nudge his side ahead.

Emlyn No. 8 Brynmor Jones was also binned and when he was sitting it out Pooler got their second try through Jamie Jeune, converted by Jones.

Leonard landed a penalty to make it 23-15 and after the visitors' replacement centre Sione Tu'Pulotu was also sent for a 10 minute break Leonard kicked the resultant penalty to give the homesters a bonus point.

Emlyn were rather fortunate near the end when Pooler No. 8 Jordan Williams knocked on with the try line beckoning.

Crymych of League 1 West exited the National Plate at the second round stage when defeated 13-10 by Abergavenny of League 2 East.

All the points came in the opening 40 minutes and despite a valiant effort during the second period the Preselimen were unable to pull the tie

out of the fire.

Fullback Gethin Gibby crossed for Crymych's try converted by outside half Rhys Davies who also landed a penalty.

Two unconverted tries from lock Dan Horley and a penalty by outside half Rhodri Webster gave the Monmouthshire side the verdict.

League 3 West A leaders Cardigan appeared to be on the way out of the National Bowl in the second round as they trailed visitors Usk of League 3 East A by seven points.

But with the visitors in sight of the winning post Cardigan backrower and skipper Llyr Griffiths crashed over for a try wide out and outside half Luke Rogers converted superbly from the touchline to send the tie into extra time.

And it was Rogers who was the hero again during the first period of extra time when his spot on penalty sent the homesters through.

After a scoreless first half the visitors went ahead with a try by John Peggington converted by outside half John Green.

Then came that thrilling finale and there was more drama in extra time with the hosts having Rogers, replacement hooker Aled Phillips and centre Emyr Harries sin-binned.

Griffiths and colleagues defended heroically in the final stages to hold out.