Flower power can't stop Rhiwbina closing the gap on Unicorns

Swalec Leagues Division Two and Three weekend review

WITH Nelson out of action yesterday, Rhiwbina seized the chance to close the gap on the Two East frontrunners by beating Fleur de Lys 22-17 in the Rhymney Valley.

Jake Chilcott’s boot did most of the damage for Rhiwbina as his five penalties and conversion of Chris Fido’s try saw the Cardiff club reduce Nelson’s lead to two points.

Flower fly-half Adam Greendale kept the hosts in it with four penalties and Ieuan Sims’ try earned his side a losing bonus point.

Senghenydd suffered the ignominy of being nilled by Bedlinog at the Recreation Ground as the Foxes devoured their opponents in style. Tom Hiscocks crossed the whitewash twice and Leon Rees added a third.

Ben Grzesica and Ian Smerdon kicked the rest of the points and the only thing missing for the hosts was an extra bonus point. Gavin Teague and Nathan Touhig touched down for Garndiffaith in their 23-9 victory against Abercynon.

The big derby clash in Two West was keenly-fought but in the end it was Maesteg Quins who came out on top, 21-16, against rivals Maesteg.

Tries from Owen Richards and Kyle Blackmore, two penalties and a conversion from Nathan Smith and a Gareth Lewis drop-goal did it for Quins while Jordan Skidmore got Maesteg’s only try.

Builth Wells remain out in front after a 15-3 victory over Aberystwyth courtesy of tries for Ben Pugh and Luke Murray. Daniel Challenger and Dan Hooper were in the tries for Seven Sisters as they walloped Penclawdd 40-13 to stay hot on the heels of the leaders.

The top three in Two North all won but it was Shotton Steel with a 52-15 demolition of bottom club Machynlleth who were the highest scorers in the division this weekend.

Dan and Adam Lynskey (2), John Ketland, Steve Elllsom, Karl Rusowicz and Darren Leach were Steel’s try getters while Ellsom also converted six of the eight tries. David Davies grabbed a brace for Llandudno in their 29-5 bonus-point success at home to Colwyn Bay.

With Welshpool without a game, Newtown leapt into first place in Three North thanks to a seven-try romp against Bangor. Joe Murray (2), Rowan Meek (2), Junior Dean, Ashley Evans and Nathan Owen crossed the whitewash and Chris Jones kicked the rest of the points.

There was some joy at last for Holyhead as they picked up their first point of the season – albeit a losing one – from a 20-16 reverse at Benllech. Osian and Shaun Roberts went over for the hosts and John Snowden slotted both conversions and a couple of penalties. Aaron Edwards scored all of Holyhead’s points.

Josh Francis was Wrexham’s hat-trick hero in their 27-7 defeat of Harlech and Rhosllanerchrugog beat Flint 19-12 with two tries for Dewi Richards and one for Matt Whitley.