Five of the six fixtures scheduled for last weekend were postponed due to poor conditions, the only game to take place being Newport’s 6-6 draw with Cardiff at Rodney Parade on Friday night.
That the game ever took place was testament to the wonderful work carried out by the ground staff but conditions, after days of heavy rain, marred proceedings.
Despite the rain, there was plenty of full-blooded commitment on show by both teams. Newport started the stronger and edged the territorial kicking game before their former Cardiff outside half Scott Sneddon drew first blood with a well struck penalty. The lead was short lived though when counterpart Will Thomas brought the Blue and Blacks back on level terms with a sweetly struck drop goal.
Cardiff’s Simon Gardiner was then yellow carded though a Thomas penalty gave the visitors a 6-3 lead at the interval.
Newport were fortunate that Thomas missed two kickable penalties after half time and the Black and Ambers took advantage to take a share of the spoils when Sneddon kicked his second shot at goal.
Looking ahead, there are three fixtures taking place on Boxing Day.
Llandovery host Carmarthen Quins in a clash between two of the most entertaining sides in the league. At Bridge Field, Bedwas take on Bridgend Ravens as the home side bid to end 2012 at the top of the table following a brilliant start to the season.
At the Talbot Athletic Ground, Aberavon will be hoping some Christmas cheer will help them to what would be only their second win of the season so far.
Fly half Jamie Davies is just one short of 100 tries for the club and the Wizards fans will be hoping he can inspire them to a win over local rivals Neath.
A day later, local rivals Cross Keys and Newport meet at Pandy Park. Keys will go into the game the fresher after the Black and Ambers’ draw with Cardiff on Friday night. That may well count for nothing though as both sides will be desperate to secure local bragging rights.
In the remaining fixtures, second placed Pontypridd visit the Arms Park on Saturday to take on Cardiff while Llanelli host struggling Swansea.
