It was no easier for the second and third-placed sides Llandovery and Aberavon, but they both survived and came up with away victories.
Llandovery flanker Wayne Beynon scored the only try of a 14-6 win at Whitland coming while a home player was sin-binned, but Aberavon players Andrew Thomas and Barry Maddocks gained their tries in a 16-14 win at Bedwas whilst one of the Aberavon players was off the field.
There was no luck for the bottom two clubs – Rumney and Treorchy – who both went down at home. Rumney lost a local Cardiff derby match at Riverside Park, when Glamorgan Wanderers completed the double over them with a 47-24 win and scored eight tries in the process.
Treorchy were expected to run the visiting Cross Keys side close, but not only did they fail to score, but they leaked 37 points to the Keys, including five tries – two by former Blackwood centre Lee Humphries.
It was closer at the Welfare Ground where Newbridge outscored Narberth by 28-24 on points and 3-2 on tries with Jason Williams landing 13 Newbridge points with his classy kicking and Narberth wing Nick Jones having to play at full back, but still scoring his 12th league try in his first season with the Otters.
Tredegar’s home match with Tondu was not played, but also in Gwent there was a solid home performance by Blackwood, who beat Llanharan 26-17 with forwards coach Jason Powell shrugging off injury to score a brace of tries.
Carmarthen Quins hit the half-century mark for the fifth time this season as they blasted Beddau by 55-8 and crossed the visitors line on eight occasions. Wing Josh Freeman and centre Emyr Jones notched two tries apiece with former Caerphilly wing Nigel Berbillion scoring Beddau’s try and coach Chris Bridges, the former Wales scrum half, adding a penalty goal.
LLOYDS TSB NATIONAL LEAGUE
DIVISION ONE RESULTS, 14 DECEMBER 2002
Bedwas 14 Aberavon 16
Blackwood 26 Llanharan 17
Bonymaen 13 Pontypool 18
Carmarthen Quins 55 Beddau 8
Newbridge 28 Narberth 24
Rumney 24 Glamorgan Wdrs 47
Tredegar v Tondu (off)
Treorchy 0 Cross Keys 37
Whitland 6 Llandovery 14
