Steelmen made to wait for One East title

EBBW Vale will have to wait a little longer to sew up the Division One East title after they were beaten by third-placed Newbridge at home on Saturday.

The Steelmen have slipped to second following Bargoed’s victory over Treorchy but the Eugene Cross Park side should regain top spot and clinch the trophy next weekend when they take on lowly Tredegar.

Ebbw had led 10-0 at half-time against Newbridge but the visitors fought back to secure a 19-16 success with Darren Hughes and Andrew Bevan scoring their tries and fly-half Neil Burnett kicking three penalties.

Gareth James registered Ebbw’s only try, converted by Dan Haman, while he also slotted two penalties with Dorian Jones adding one of his own.

Even if Ebbw somehow don’t pick up any points at bottom-of-the-table Tredegar they still have the luxury of an encounter with Mountain Ash at home on May 2 but realistically it shouldn’t get that far.

Bargoed’s 44-23 triumph at home against the Rhonnda club was their last fixture of the campaign and they outscored their opponents by six tries to two to move up to first place in the division for the time being.

Mike Roberts and Darren Lynch both bagged two tries each while Gareth Dare and Lewis Protheroe also crossed the try-line. Matthew Hurley contributed 14 points with the boot, including two penalties and four conversions.

The Zebras’ points came courtesy of a penalty try and a score from Peter Hutchings and 13 points from Celyn Ashton.

Elsewhere in One East, Tredegar put up a brave fight at home against Blackwood before going down 45-23. Right wing Matthew McGovern (2) and Christian Jones got the hosts’ tries but the visitors, who only led 19-11 at the interval, got seven of their own.

Kristian Perry, Rhodri Lister, Lee Taylor, Rhys Morgan, Adam Jones and David Ford were all on target with Jones converting five of them.

Glamorgan Wanderers won their final match of the season, 11-6 at home against Beddau, with an Andrew Bradbury try and two Gareth Cull penalties helping their cause.

All Beddau could muster was a couple of Steve Robinson penalties though they have one game left at Newbridge next Saturday.