A disappointing game and a disappointing season saw us go down 21-13 to a Blackwood side who look odds on to finish the season in the top three – well done them.

An error-strewn game saw Blackwood’s Jeremy Lloyd kick the opening penalty, which was the only score of a sterile first quarter.

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 in Blackwood’s favour.

In the second half, Owen Williams was bundled out at the corner flag, but Jeremy Lloyd added a drop goal at the ensuing line out to extend Blackwood’s lead.

Former club centre Luke Knight got the killer score, when he broke through to score the winning try. Lloyd converted and the game was all but over.

It didn’t help our cause, when at one stage we were down to 13 men, after successive red and yellow cards. In fact we did manage to gain 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.

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -

Other results from the division saw bottom placed Fleur De Lys pip near neighbours Bargoed 27-26 whilst Llanharen ended Caerphilly’s title ambitious with a hard fought 24-19 home win. Rumney recorded an away win (21-14) at Newport Saracens and Pontypool thrashed Beddau 53-09. The students from UWIC also rattled up a big score beating Llantristant 54-15.

Full match report to follow shortly.

In a 55 point thriller, our boys lost by a single point after trailing 13-3 at the break to table-toppers Caerphilly.

Forwards coach Mark Thomas revealed ‘It was a good display, but we lacked a bit of confidence which in the end cost us the game.’

‘We made a few mistakes, which they took advantage of, and we may well have done a lot better.’

Scrum-half Tom Edwards (2) and number eight David Ford touched down for Newbridge, whose other points came from a couple of penalties and a trio of conversions by centre Shaun Thomas.

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -

Other results from Division One East:

Blackwood 12 v Newport Saracens 19
Fleur De Lys 17 v UWIC 22
Llanharan 03v Pontypool 39
Llantrisant 16 v Rumney 07

Full match report to follow shortly.

Confident of consolidating fifth position, the lads came a cropper in losing 32-12 at a sunny Welfare Ground.

“Yes, this was a surprise result but we were dreadful and deserved nothing,” admitted forwards coach Mark Thomas.

“We did, however, create some good try-scoring chances but failed to take them. We are looking to strengthen for next season and have a few players in mind.”

“We believe we have the platform to go on from and build a solid squad.”

Centre Jonathan Hawker plus skipper and flanker Rhys Bowen scored five-pointers while centre, Shaun Thomas, booted a conversion.

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -

The boys make a quick return to action on Tuesday when we go to Newport Saracens, who gave themselves a huge tonic Saturday by defeating visiting Beddau (19-11).

Full match report to follow shortly.

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -

Other results from the division:

Beddau 22 v 20 UWIC
Caerphilly 05 v 00 Newport Saracens
Llanharan 15 v 16 Bargoed
Llantrisant 17 v 27 Fleur De Lys

On a cold and blustery day at the Welfare, our boys came out on top with a great 29-12 win over Llantrisant to make in 5 wins in the last 6 games – well done lads!

Other results on the day saw Pontypool narrowly win 14-12 at Bargoed, whilst Fleur De Lys produced the shock of the day by beating Blackwood (21-15) to record only their second win of the campaign. There was also wins for Llanharen, Rumney and title contenders Caerphilly.

Newport Saracens 12 v Llanharan 20
Rumney 17 v Beddau 03
UWIC 10 v Caerphilly 26

Match report to follow shortly.

Trailing 12-10 at half-time, our lads produced the performance of the season to hammer second placed Bargoed 34-12.

A full match report will follow shortly.

Other results in the division saw Beddau pip bottom to the table Fleur De Lys 11-10. Caerphilly maintained their winning run with a 24-15 win over Rumney whilst Llanharen were beaten at home 24-18 by the students of UWIC. League leaders Pontypool also continued their winning run with a win over Newport Saracens (18-06) and Blackwood were victorious 14-16 at Llantristant.

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -

The club would also like to bring to your attention that a further development fixture has been added to the calendar. A fixture against Brynithel is to be held at the Welfare Ground this Friday (7th March), KO at 7.15pm

Full match report to appear shortly.