ASDA DIVISION 1 ROUND UP
For a week after losing their unbeaten record in ASDA League Division 1 they hit the students of Uwic for 31 points in the first half before running out 44-34 winners in a 10 try thriller.
“We just didn’t turn up the week before. We did our homework but then expected things to happen for us,” said the former Aberavon, Llanelli and Newport outside half Lewis. “We had a few words about what happened and the first 45 minutes against Uwic were fantastic. We went to sleep a little bit in the second half, but I was very happy with the result.
“This division is a real step up in rugby terms from where we were last season. It’s a testing environment for the players and coaches.
“We’ve got a young, talented side and I think we can be very competitive in this division.”
Lewis has been at the helm as either player or coach at Cwmllynfell as they have risen from the depths of the old Division 8 to the heights of the ASDA League First Division in the space of eight years.
Last season’s Division 2 West champions, they are now second in the table behind unbeaten Bonymaen and will be seeking to build on their fine start when they entertain Newbridge at home next weekend.
While Ashley Carter, Alun Morgan, Paul Davies, Kevin Jones and Andrew Luther provided the tries this week, the trusty boot of Peter Thomas was incredibly influential once again as he plundered 19 points to rocket through the 50 points barrier for the season.
Despite Cwmllynfell’s fine start to the season, Bonymaen continue to lead the way after their 66-10 demolition of Newbridge. There were 10 tries for the home side in a free flowing match that saw Gareth James end with 21 points from eight conversions and a try.
Lyndon Johnson, Chris Batsford and Chris Jenkins each grabbed two tries for Bony, while Stuart Smith scored twice for Newbridge in what was a second successive defeat for one of last season”s Premiership outfits.
Tongan lock Fatika Molitika made it six tries for the season as he crossed for two of Llanharan”s magnificent seven in a 42-10 home win over Ystrad Rhondda. Carl Jenkins, Dai Atkins, Jon Hooper, Nikki Allen and Steffan Jones scored the others, while Dylan James grabbed all the visitors’ points.
Rob Lloyd kicked 13 points to steer Builth Wells home to a 33-26 victory over Beddau, while Whitland outside half Aled Davies was the star of the show for the Pembrokeshire side as they took the points at Blackwood with a 24-12 win.
Davies scored 14 points as he crossed for two of his side’s four tries and added two conversions. Rhys Davies and Gareth Groves scored tries for the home side.
Narberth made it a Pembrokeshire double with a convincing 33-5 home win over bottom of the table Fleur de Lys. The home side were 26-0 ahead at the interval and ran in five tries.
Caerphilly won their second successive home game as they built on a 21-6 interval lead to finally overpower a very game Llangennech side 38-25.
There were five tries for the Cheesemen, three of them in their dominant first-half display, and outside half James Balfrey chipped in with 13 points with the boot.
Waunarlwydd burst Merthyr’s bumble with a brilliant second half display that saw them turn a 20-5 deficit into a thrilling 27-26 victory. There were four second half tries for the visitors as they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.