The 15-23 reverse was Pooler’s sixth straight loss, but the home side showed enough grit to warn rivals that they’re no easy-beats. Newport fly-half Daniel Griffiths, the hero of last weekend’s fightback against Caerphilly, kicked 13 points which proved vital in the final reckoning.
Neath had to dig deep to keep their Premiership hopes alive at the Gnoll. The second-placed Welsh All Blacks sneaked home to an 11-10 victory over lowly Llandovery, thanks to a first-half try to rugged backrower Hywel Jenkins.
Two long-range intercept tries helped third-placed Aberavon to a hard-earned 27-18 win over Carmarthen Quins, with Wizards fly-half Jamies Davies continuing his impressive goal-kicking form with five penalty goals and a conversion.
Quins fought back from 0-17 down at halftime, but a 60-metre intercept try to Wizards winger Sam Greenaway sealed the victory.
Pontypridd accounted for Ebbw Vale 33-15, with Wales Under-21 fly-half Lee Thomas – who played a New Zealand Colts team on Friday night – producing a match-winning cameo performance in the final quarter.
The Valley Commandoes led only 16-15 when Thomas took the field, but his elusive running changed the course of the match.
Cross Keys crushed Caerphilly 51-24, leading 51-7 at one stage before easing down in the final quarter, while Llanelli climbed off the bottom of the table with a crushing 52-5 victory over a woeful Cardiff side.
Swansea beat Bridgend 37-24 in an entertaining match at St Helen’s, with Luke Richards’ five successful shots at goal proving the difference in a free-flowing match that yielded nine tries.
Bedwas scrum-half Rob Phillips bagged two tries as his side beat Newbridge 32-17.
Results: Bedwas 32 Newbridge 17, Carmarthen Quins 18 Aberavon 27, Cross Keys 51 Caerphilly 24, Llanelli 52 Cardiff 5, Neath 11 Llandovery 10, Pontypool 15 N
