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DIV 1 REVIEW: It’s crunch week for unbeaten teams

DIV 1 REVIEW: It’s crunch week for unbeaten teams

There are some huge fixtures coming up in the top tier of the WRU National Leagues this week with the pick of the crop being the battle between the unbeaten teams in Division 1 East, Brynmawr and Brecon.

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It is going to develop into a battle between two of the most charismatic forwards of the past decade in Wales, Brecon forwards coach Andy Powell and Brynmawr’s ex-Ebbw Vale skipper Damien Hudd

Both sides made it a maximum 20 points from their first four outings with victories and now they will clash at Brynmawr on Saturday. The Mawr dug deep to win 37-27 at Risca, while Brecon ran in 10 tries to convert a 33-6 interval lead into a 66-6 home triumph over Ynysybwl.

Wing Richard Jones helped himself to a hat-trick, there were two more from fellow wing Jake Crockett and Eifion Jones, Ewan Williams , Adam Hoskins, Mark Squirrell and Richie Elliott grabbed the others. Dean Gunter converted eight of them.

Brecon have scored 29 tries and 190 points in their four games to date, while Brynmawr have picked up 22 tries and 149 points. Poor old Ynysybwl have had to play the two top teams back-to-back and conceded 17 tries and 118 points.

Penallta also maintained their unbeaten run with a 29-8 bonus-point home win over Caerleon, while Pontypool United made it three wins from four games with a 29-7 home triumph over Blaenavon. Abertillery BG also came out on top at home, edging past Dowlais 22-18.

Dunvant had outside half Dickie Lewis to thank for their 10-7 win at Llanelli Wanders as he scored all his side’s points. His first half penalty was followed by an early try from the home side and then he waltzed over for a second half try which he also converted.

That allowed them to maintain their unbeaten record in Division 1 West and keep them two points behind league leaders Felinfoel, who won 45-17 at Penclawdd. Aberystwyth had a try from LLyr Thoams to finally break the deadlock in the second half against Gorseinon to give them a hard-fought home win by 7-0.

Maesteg Quins ensured they remained on maximum points from their first four games in Division 1 West Central as they picked up another bonus-point win at Resolven, 38-14. They now have a three point gap over Bonymaen, who they host this weekend, following their 32-12 home win over Aberavon Quins.

In Division 1 North, Ruthin notched their first win over Nant Conwy for six years as they made it three wins out of four games this season with a 16-15 victory over the 2016/17 runners-up. Full back Dafydd Lloyd and front row replacement Jack Wilson got the tries and outside half Nathan Jones kicked two penalties.

Nant hit back from an 11-0 deficit to make it a one point game at the break. They fell a point short at the end despite tries from Sean Pringle and Carwyn Davies.

Ruthin travel to meet reigning champions Pwllheli on Saturday. Phwllheli now have a three point gap at the top after a 69-5 win at bottom of the table Colwyn Bay.

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