ASDA LEAGUES EAST ROUND UP
The visitors ran in a hat full of tries, with full back Rob Kotyla and back row man Tim Russell each crossing twice, as they became the first team in the division to top a century of points.
“We’ve settled well as a side and we’ve started very well. We’ve recruited well and we’re trying to get the players to fit into as many positions as possible,” said Lloyd. “We’ve got one of the Blues Academy players with us at the moment, second row James Davies, and he has played very well for us to date. The aim is to finish higher than we did last year and to possibly push for the title.”
Pill Harriers also remain unbeaten after their 24-12 win at Croesyceiliog, as do Newport Saracens following a 16-11 win at Tredegar that included 11 points from outside half Matthew Spencer.
Rumney picked up their first win of the season with a crushing 34-15 home win over Llantrisant in which Mike O’Neill winged in for two tries and outside half Danny Clark bagged 14 points.
Bargoed got back to winning ways with a 24-14 home triumph over Abercynon, while Mountain Ash were 26-16 winners at home against Brynithel.
Chris Moses converted tries by Russell Smith and Julian Long and added a penalty to steer Abercarn to a third successive victory in Division 3 East. That keeps them on top of the table ahead of Rhymney and unbeaten Abergavenny.
Rhymney were 13-0 down at Nelson before recovering to lead 23-13. They kept their noses in front until the 77th minute when full back Dan Jones crossed for a try that gave the home side a 25-23 victory.
Abergavenny made it two out of two with a 22-12 home win over Fairwater. Lock Tony Richards, centre Gareth Hughes-Jones and wing Andrew Delaney grabbed the home tries.
Newport HSOB are sitting on top of Division 4 East following their 47-7 home win over Chepstow, although with two games gone there are still five unbeaten sides in the division.
Pencoed were pushed all the way at home by Ynysybwl before notching a 17-14 victory that put them on top of Division 3 South East, while Penarth are riding high at the top of Division 4 South East after former Cardiff and Wales No 8 Hemi Taylor inspired a 49-17 win at the Athletic Field over Llandaff North.
NORTH WALES ROUND UP
Llangefni may have been the talk of Welsh rugby for all the wrong reasons in the summer, but now they are making all the right kind of headlines as they lead the way in the ASDA League Division 3 West. Another sparkling performance at the weekend saw last season’s North Wales champions consolidate their place at the top of table with a 50-10 home win over Tenby.
Seven tries flowed for the home side as they made it three out of three in their new division to prove beyond doubt they are good enough to compete outside their own region. All of a sudden the teams in the south are wondering if they can match up to the strength of Llangefni, rather than wondering if the north Wales outfit will be good enough to hold their own in the league.
There were two tries apiece for wings John Pritchard and Ioan Davies and back row man Will Bown, while prop Rhodri Owen joined the try fest with the final touchdown. Full back Arwel Roberts converted six of the tries and added a penalty for a match tally of 15 points. Meanwhile, Ruthin fell 43-19 in Division 3 South/East at Tonyrefail where they were outscored by five tries to three. Home full back Geraint Shalton put the boot into the visitors with 16 points.
Without a league win to their credit in their first two outings in their new division, Ruthin will be hoping that home advantage will help to bring them some much needed success in the near future.
In Division 4 North, the game between Bethesda and Mold was postponed, but Pwllhel’s 28-8 home win over Colwyn Bay allowed them to move to the top of the table after two rounds of matches. They scored four converted tries.
Bala kept up the pressure at the top with a 25-15 away win at Newtown, but Dolgellau were given a shock at Nant Conwy, where they were on teh wrong end of a five try, 34-3 hammering.
Denbigh just failed to notch their first win of the season as they were pipped 32-29 at home by Caernarfon. Llandudno took over from Wrexham at the top of Division 5 North courtesy of their 57-0 victory Rhos. Wrexham were equally impressive away from home as they ran out 43-7 victors at Rhayader.
Those were the only games played as Welshpool v Bangor and Rhyl v Machynlleth were postponed and Bro Festiniog and Llanidloes met earlier in the season.
