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National League Review

National League Review

It is difficult to split the top two teams in Division 1 West this season, but Kidwelly have emerged as title favourites after moving seven points clear at the top of the table after their 19-19 draw at the home of closest rivals Llanelli Wanderers.

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When the two teams met at Kidwelly on 22 October it was the Wanderers who came out on top by a single point, 19-18. In the return game last weekend, the Wanderers had to rely on the boot of debutant centre Ioan Hughes to pick up two points.

Hughes kicked four penalties and converted a try by replacement Dan Griffiths. His final penalty levelled the scores near the end after Kidwelly had turned their pressure into points and led 19-6 at one stage.

The Wanderers have a game in hand on the leaders, but with only five games left to play for Kidwelly, two of which are at home, they will take some catching. Gorseinon are now four points clear of Aberystwyth in third thanks to a 25-12 win over Penclawdd.

In Division 1 East, a brace of tries from Jordan Rees ensured Rhydyfelin remain seven points clear at the top following a 25-18 win at Blaenavon. Ross Lucas also scored a try and Dai Gratton kicked 10 points from the tee.

Nelson got back to winning ways with a 33-3 home win over bottom-of-the-table Senghenydd, while third place Penallta thumped Brecon 47-15. Ynysybwl lost ground on the top four with a shock 31-26 defeat at Abertillery BG, but will get the chance to play catch-up when they host Nelson on 25 March.

Ystrad Rhondda bagged a bonus-point to established their superiority over Rhiwbina in a 26-0 victory in the battle of the second and third placed teams in Division 1 East-Central. Mazin Al-Azzawi, Dan Roberts and Aron Clarke all scored tries with Ashley John bagging the bonus-point.

The win gives them a seven point cushion over The Squirrels, but there is still a 10 point gap between them and table-topping Treorchy. Ystrad do have a game in hand, but Treorchy’s 34-17 win at Llanharan keeps them in the driving seat.

In North Wales, Nant Conwy put last weekend’s shock defeat to Caernarfon  behind them as they thumped Bethesda 50-7 to stay on top. The visitors actually led 7-5 in the early exchanges following Ellis Jones’ try, converted by Gethin Long, before the hosts ran riot with eight tries, five of which Delywn Jones converted.

Pwllheli remain three points off the top with a game in hand thanks to a 46-3 win at Ruthin. Third placed Caernarfon edged out COBRA, 23-22, in the stand-out game of the division with Delwyn Gwin and Dom Wau crossing for tries.

Bonymaen extended their lead at the summit of Division 1 West Central following thanks to a 31-10 victory at Ammanford. Lawrence Thomas, Paul Davies and Rhys Leonard all scored with Ben Davies sealing the bonus-point.

Richard Cunniffe kicked his 100th point of the season following his conversion of the fourth try and the afternoon was made all the better by second placed Aberavon Quins losing 23-20 at Maesteg. That helped to turn their lead at the top to four points with a game in hand.

Third placed Bridgend Athletic were 33-15 winners at Seven Sisters to move to within a point of the Quins, while Trebanos celebrated the 50th Welsh cap of one of their coaching team, Justin Tipuric, with a 68-5 home win over Kenfig Hill.

That took them to 49 points and keeps them very much in the promotion race with two games in hand on the the Quins (53 points) and the Athletic (52 points). They also have a game in hand on Bonymaen, who they meet at Parc Mawr on 25 March in what could be a title decider.
 

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