Jump to main content

Pontypool claim WRU National Championship title

Pontypool claim WRU National Championship title

 Pontypool finally sealed the WRU National Championship with a 23-3 home win over Glamorgan Wanderers.

Share this page:

Pooler had had the opportunity to win the title a week earlier at Cardiff Met, but saw their unbeaten league run ended in a shock defeat by the students. There were no mistakes at the second attempt, however, as three tries flowed to notch a 19th win in 20 games to stretch their lead at the top to 12 points over Narberth with two games left to play.

Gareth Rusby-Davies, Ben Parry and Callum Davies crossed for the home side as they picked up their first piece of silverware since winning the Division 1 East title in 2008. Parry’s score took Leighton Jones’ men through the 700 points mark for the season and proved to their 100th try of a highly successful campaign.

Pooler host Tata Steel on Saturday, when they will officially receive their trophy, and end the season at Bedlinog on 15 April. The Wanderers, who lost Ellis Ruder to the sin-bin in the first-half, reduced their 10-0 interval deficit to seven points when Luke Fish kicked a penalty and now face a massive relegation battle with Newbridge at the weekend.

Six teams are still mathematically involved in the fight to escape from the second relegation spot alongside Dunvant. Skewen, who were fifth only two weeks ago, plunged deeper into trouble with their 14-11 home defeat to Newcastle Emlyn, who are now safe.

Skewen now have to travel to second placed Narberth to complete their season this weekend knowing that the two teams beneath them, Bedlinog and Newbridge, have a game in hand. Newbridge were edged out 18-14 at Glynneath, but picked up a losing bonus point.

Bedlinog were beaten 19-11 by Cardiff Met as the students continued their steady climb up the table. Third placed Beddau snatched victory at the death in a thriller at the home of relegated Dunvant, where two tries from hooker Corey Tarrant in the final four overturned a nine point deficit to claim a 30-29 victory.

Narberth ensured they will finish the season as runners-up to Pontypool after they beat Tata Steel 25-14. Shaun Jenkins, Rhys Lane and Liam Hutchings all crossed for tries with Jonathan Rogers kicking 10 points from the tee for The Otters.
 

Partners and Suppliers

Principal Partners
Principality
Official Broadcast Partners
BBC Cymru/Wales
S4C
Official Partners
Heineken
Isuzu
Guinness