Cwmcarn RFC - 22

Crickhowell RFC - 47

WITH Crickhowell carrying a relatively small squad for the WRU leagues, it was evident that with the return of regular first team players from injury or work commitments, they were going to be a force to be reckoned with

And so it proved at Cwmcarn as they came away with a bonus point win and six tries to boot.

With veteran prop and cornerstone of the pack Kenny Birch returning after a long injury and Ed 'Wiggy' Jones coming back into the fold to perform his usual 'one man army' impression, it was clear that Crickhowell were going to prove too much of a handful up front.

The Cwmcarn eight were ruthlessly destroyed with skipper James Webb as usual leading from the front, carrying the ball at every occasion and scattering the opposition like ten pin skittles.

Which left his fellow back row member Chris Williams to have a field day scavenging for the ruck ball and being rewarded with a try for his usual belligerent performance.

It was also good to see young scrum half Dave 'Dewi' Morris home from university to lend a hand sniping away like a terrier at the base of the scrum, giving number ten Ioan Lilley the opportunity to control the game.

After an early breakaway try from Cwmcarn, Crick soon woke up and set the tempo of the game as they played some exhilarating rugby.

Wingman Ben Withy scored two well worked tries and with centre Adam Howells not missing anything by way of penalties and conversions, Crickhowell swiftly went into a 27-7 lead.

To their credit Cwmcarn still tried to work the ball out wide but man of the match Withy tackled and ripped the ball away like a man on top of his game and snuffed out most attacks.

Powerhouse young centre Joe Powell has also returned from his travels, and adds much pace and power to the back line, which was more than evident when he sped over for a fine try.

Crick capped a fine performance when full back Matthew Sneade came from deep to sell an outrageous dummy and cross under the posts for a well-earned bonus point.

The final score line flattered Cwmcarn somewhat, when two yellow cards allowed them to add points late on.

Nevertheless. Saturday's encounter gave Crick a much needed confidence boost in preparation for the visit of New Panteg to Parc Broyd on Saturday.

Usk RFC - 6

Ynysddu RFC - 9

USK entertained Ynysddu on Saturday and for the third time this season had to resort to uncontested scrums due to the lack of a recognized front row.

It was a game where neither side was able to make a decisive break. As the first half progressed Ynysddu went into the lead from two penalty kicks and half time saw them holding a 6-0 lead.

The second half continued as the first, with both sides unable to break the other's defence. John Green brought Usk level with two penalty kicks and the game seemed destined to finish as a draw.

However, Usk transgressed again late in the game to give Ynysddu a penalty in front of the posts to take a winning lead.