Crickhowell RFC -19
Markham RFC -15
CRICKHOWELL have retained both this season's unbeaten record and their hold on the top-spot in Division Six East after beating Markham in a spirited and tenacious encounter.
This was a huge win for the Parc Broyd outfit, as both sides were unbeaten going into the game and neither team gave any ground.
Crickhowell went ahead with an Adam Howells penalty goal when Markham under pressure failed to release the ball at the ruck.
The visitors came straight back and a skillful piece of play from their fly-half saw them register a goal underneath the Crickhowell posts.
A further Markham penalty goal pushed them further ahead but then Crickhowell really put the pressure on.
As the Crickhowell front line pressed forward, Colin Pigervance, Rob Ireland and Tom Powell took the opposition on, with James Ayltett and captain James Webb also getting stuck in.
Markham struggled up front and three penalty goals by Adam Howells followed as a result of their indiscretions.
Crickhowell took this slender lead into a second half, which saw both sides trying to play rugby in deteriorating conditions of wind and driving rain.
Both sides made changes but the defences stood firm. The back rows tackled each other to a standstill, but on a rare excursion into the Crickhowell half, Markham made an overlap on the Crickhowell left and scored an excellent unconverted try through their right wing.
Crickhowell having had a stranglehold on their narrow lead, now found themselves into the Markham 22 metre line and following a number of driving mauls, Shane Burton crashed over. Man of the match Adam Howells kicked an excellent conversion for Crickhowell to retain their position as kings of the hill in what is shaping up to be a very promising season for them.