Croesy, who won the Division 2 title by eight points last season, ran in six tries as they completely outgunned their visitors. Wings Liam Silver (2) and Steve Drummond were among the scores and scrum half Ryan Bates and No 8 Steve Thomas also crossed.
Outside half Connor Goode also got in on the try scoring act and also kicked four conversions and two penalties for a match tally of 19 points. Mike Williams scored the only try for the visitors and Dan Haile added the conversion.
The other promoted team, Pontypool United, found the going a bit tougher on their visit to Nelson, where they were beaten 38-12. The other new team in the division, Dowlais, were pipped by a point in a 51 point thriller after their switch from Division 1 East Central as they fell to Ynysbwl.
It was business as usual in the North as reigning champions Pwllhelli picked up a bonus point win at home against Bethesda, winning 28-8, and Nant Conwy, runners up in 2017, piled on the points as Bro Ffestiniog as they ran out 64-5 victors.
Llanharan were able to provide a fitting tribute to club legend Ray Taylor as they picked up a big bonus point home win over Rumney in Division 1 East Central, running out 28-16 winners. There wasn’t any joy for another Cardiff club, Glamorgan Wanderers, on their travels.
Relegated from the National Championship last season, their first assignment in the league was to travel to the home of last season’s champions, Treorchy, where they were beaten 59-31. Newly promoted Dinas Powis fell 27-10 at Rhiwbina.
In the west, reigning Division 1 West champions Kidwelly were beaten 38-31 at Gowerton as the home side avenged their two defeats of last season. Kidwelly had won 34-12 at the same venue on the opening day of the 2016/17 campaign, but were outgunned throughout, trailing 26-17 at the break.
Newly promoted Tenby United also laid down a marker with their bonus-point, 41-22 home win over Llanelli Wanderers, who finished last season as the runners-up. There was no joy for the other promoted team, however, as Tycroes were beaten 29-15 at Felinfoel.
In Division 1 West Central, new boys Tondu celebrated their promotion with a 24-17 win at Maesteg. The home side had two tries from Simon Evans and seven points from the boot of Tadhg McGuckin to thank for staying in the contest, but the visitors stuck to theri guns and came out on top to notch an impressive victory.
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