Crickhowell Rfc - 37
Cwmcarn Utd Rfc - 18
CRICKHOWELL notched up another win in Division Six South East on Saturday as they took Cwmcarn Utd to the cleaners with a 37-18 win.
Right from the kick-off Cwmcarn were under pressure after Crick fielded the start and the pack presented perfect ball to scrum half David Morris who released his three quarters as they almost made the line.
The ball was recycled and reached Nigel Mason who crashed over between the posts, with Adam Howells converting.
Cwmcarn had little time to gather themselves in wave after wave of Crickhowell attacks.
Jason Cule made good ground on the Crickhowell left, put in a deft grubber kick, followed it up himself to beat the defence and touchdown wide out. Howells again converted and then added a penalty goal from 40 metres when the desperate Cwmcarn defence fell offside in midfield.
The pack led well by Captain James Webb, was dominant in scrum, line-out, ruck and maul, and it was no surprise when following another period of recycled ball from the forwards, David Morris was able to wriggle over the line for an unconverted try. Howells added a further penalty as Crick amassed 25 points without reply.
With the game looking in the bag for Crick, Cwmcarn had other ideas and when five minutes before half-time Ed Jones was yellow carded for a technical offence, Cwmcarn grabbed an unconverted try through their right wing.
Into the first 20 minutes of the second-half Crick looked defensively shaky as Cwmcarn added a penalty goal and two unanswered, unconverted tries.
Webb rallied the players and the tight five came into their own as Cwmcarn tired.
James Aylet organised a maul some 15 metres from the Cwmcarn line and it was Aylet himself who got over for the score. Martin Smith converted and the bonus point was safe.
Crick continued to press and as a ball went loose near the Cwmcarn try line it was dribbled over by John Jones and Martin Smith. The ref awarded the unconverted try as Crick ended on a high.
Next week Crick are back in action at Parc Broyd in Round Two of the WRU Bowl Competition.
Usk Rfc - 7
Hartridge - 26
USK slumped to a disappointing defeat at the hands of Hartridge on Saturday as they failed to bag any league points in their bid for promotion from Division Five East.
Due to an extensive injury list and work commitments Usk were unable to field the strongest of sides against a powerful Hartridge side who pushed Usk all the way when the two sides met in the SWALEC Plate two weeks ago.
The first half was very scrappy and saw Hartridge go into the lead with a penalty followed by a try.
Usk replied when they charged down a Hartridge kick and Joe Edwards kicked through to score beneath the posts and Lee Moulton converted to make the score 8-7 to Hartridge.
In the second half, although Usk put in the effort they were unable to show any cohesion and reduce the deficit. Indeed Hartridge extended their lead with two further tries and penalties to run out worthy winners 26-7.
Next week sees Usk return to cup action with a visit to unbeaten Division Four East leaders Talywain.