Newbridge may start 2009 with a six point advantage at the top of the table, but they will have to keep looking over their shoulder at Blackwood who, with two games in hand, are still well placed to mount a genuine challenge for promotion to the Premiership.
The Glan Yr Afon outfit ended the year on a high with a 29-17 victory at Bargoed, following tries from Gareth Price, Sean Emery and Gareth Busby-Davies that has upped the stakes ahead of their top of the table clash with Newbridge next month.
“Newbridge are in the ascendency but we are doing our best to keep on their tail,” said Blackwood backs coach Jeremy Lloyd.
“We have a game against them on January 17th and I think a lot will be decided on that day. It seems very equal between the two clubs in a very competitive league.”
Meanwhile Newbridge did their best to remain beyond Blackwood’s reach with a convincing win over Penalta, routing them 53-0.
Lenny Woodard ran in a hat-trick of tries and Gary Wilkes added a brace amongst Newbridge’s nine tries.Terry Young, Tom Watkins, Craig Attwell and Lee Meredith also crossed at the Welfare Ground.
Merthyr’s game against Ystrad Rhondda was abandoned after 67 minutes following a neck injury to Tom Dickens.
Play was stopped for 20 minutes while Merthyr’s Dickens received treatment before the scrum-half was taken to hospital for treatment having regained consciousness.
Caerphilly beat bottom club Newport Saracens 24-15 whilst Rumney were 15-14 winners over UWIC.The Carmarthen derby was top of the Division One West table clash, as leaders Carmarthen Quins beat town rivals Athletic 17-10.
Quins had a slender 10-9 half-time lead with the much-travelled Gareth Cull kicking them ahead after Jason Harries’ try.
Winger Chris Mathias had gone over to give Athletic a 14-10 lead before second row Gavin Evans scored a try of his own, converted by Cull, to hand Quins the win.
Narberth go ahead of Athletic at third in the table after their 30-6 bonus point win at Whitland, with the four tries coming through Nick Jones, Tom Bonnell, Steve Martin and Andrew Davies.
Corus edged out Cwmllynfell 18-17 whilst there were away wins for Tonmawr, Felinfoel and Bonymaen.
