WRU DIVISION 2 WEST CENTRAL

Builth Wells 13 Birchgrove 15

Builth Wells suffered a narrow defeat for the second successive Saturday when they hosted Birchgrove at the Groe.

The Bulls had lost at leaders Resolven by just a single point last time out and this weekend only two points separated them and second placed Birchgrove.

The boot of outside half Dan Davies had put the home side ahead by half-time through two penalties in a match were both teams struggled to cope with the heavy drizzle through the first half.

Builth trumped the usually dominant Birchgrove pack at set pieces during the first half and the visitor’s from Swansea were relieved to only be six points behind when they changed ends.

That they had failed to make their advantage count would prove costly within minutes of the re-start when Birchgrove fullback Lee Harris set free experienced wing Chris Weightman who juggled the ball, chipped ahead and then out sprinted the cover defence to touchdown. With the conversion unsuccessful the Bulls remained in the lead but by only a point.

That was however increased by seven points when a clever set piece from an attacking scrum saw Bulls centre Tom Samuel score a try which Davies converted to make the score 13-5 in Builth’s favour.

But finding their backs to the wall inspired the Birchgrove forwards who helped scrum half Rob Scrine push his way over from a scrum for the visitors’ second try.

Once Adam Rowlands added the extras Builth’s lead had again been cut to just one point, 13-12.

Birchgrove outside half Rowlands was finally able to put his side in front through a penalty to make the score 13-15 with just over 10 minutes to play.

Builth remain in fifth place in the table following their second successive loss, on 10 points, while Resolven lead the table, on tries scored, from Birchgrove who both have 18 points.

Ystradgynlais’ fixture at Pencoed was postponed.

The Blues remain in eighth place in the table on five points.

WRU DIVISION 1 EAST

Hartridge 0 Brecon 20

A FIRST league visit to Newport side Hartridge resulted in victory for Brecon RFC who continued their unbeaten start to the season.

Their hosts, who were reformed in 2005, have enjoyed a stellar rise through the WRU league structure with promotions in five successive seasons having brought them up to division 1 this term.

That the team from Newport’s Ringland Estate, close to the once mighty Llanwern steelworks, have yet to register a point this season perhaps suggests they have struggled to come to terms with the latest leap up the league ladder.

But the recent success enjoyed by the club has come without the level of funding more established clubs have been used to from the WRU, and this has, without doubt, engendered a very fierce determination to prove doubters wrong.

The perfectly maintained playing surface at Llanwern High School that was still firm underfoot provided the potential to play the high tempo brand of rugby that Brecon keep striving for and put concerns over the impact of Saturday’s heavy rain.

However playing on a narrower pitch than on which they are accustomed Brecon made a number of errors which prevented them from taking advantage of dominating territory and possession.

After an earlier Dean Gunter penalty the real breakthrough came when centre Joe Evans took a pass from the outside half, and broke the first line of defence to offload to partner Cam Gardner who touched down near the uprights.

Gunter added the extras to put Brecon up 0-10 a score they were unable to add before the half-time whistle.

Once the action re-started however Brecon got their second try. Captain Ewan Williams gathered the kick off deep in his half and the number eight powered his way upfield. Good support from his teammates saw the ball transferred to left wing Jake Crockett to cross out wide.

Rather than Brecon take hold however the game descended into a scrappy affair the the referee was required to show a number two yellow cards to the home team and one to Brecon.

This had the effect of taking any constructive momentum out of the game, and Brecon were honest in their appraisal after when they acknowledged that they were not precise or focussed enough in their play.

The game meandered to a disappointing end with Brecon only able to break down a steadfast defence on one occasion as, following a successful driving maul, hooker Ryan Williams broke away to score a well deserved try that capped a fine performance with ball in hand from him. Brecon now have four wins from four to start the season.

¦ Other matches

In League 3 East C Crickhowell suffered a 26-12 defeat at Trinant while in East D Rhayader travelled to Gwent and thumped Old Tylerian 0-44 but there was heartbreak in Knighton for Tref y Clawdd. The home side suffered a 10-12 defeat to visitors Hollybush from Gwent.

Abercrave recorded a victory at home, over Swansea Uplands, triumphing 36-24 in their Three West Central A clash.

In Three West Central Cwmtwrch defeated Penygroes 13-3 to record their first victory of the season at a soggy Glyncynwal Park.