Two East leaders still locked together

PENALLTA and Ystrad Rhondda cannot be separated at the top of Division Two East with both sides locked together on 77 points with just a few matches left.

Top spot is currently held by Penallta by virtue of the number of games won – 17 to 16 – but that’s only because Ystrad Rhondda have played one less than the Pitmen.

On Saturday, Penallta needed all their grit and determination to come through a tough encounter with Heol y Cyw. Their 10-7 victory was down to a try from Seb Toms and Jonny Wright’s conversion and penalty.

On the other hand, Ystrad Rhondda came close to breaking the 100-point barrier as they routed Fleur de Lys 88-5 in the Rhymney Valley.

They scored 14 tries with David Gratton grabbing a hat-trick and Alex Webber, Sam Hotter and Bleddyn Davies all crossing twice. Joseph Couch, James Sheppard, Carl Facey, Ashley Macey and Masin Al Azzawi were the other players to get their name on the scoresheet.

Webber converted nine of the tries to finish with a personal haul of 28 points while Flower’s only reply came through Dean Higgs’ consolation try.

Ystrad Rhondda can take the outright lead on Tuesday when they host Heol y Cyw but if the Bridgend outfit play as they did on Saturday it might not be as straight forward as some may think.

Llantwit Fardre were something of surprise winners against Ynysybwl, coming through 35-24 at home, and both teams scored four tries to grab a bonus point.

Lloyd Morgan, Chris Moss, Lewis James and Carl Thomas were on target for Fardre as they completed their league programme on a high note.