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Saturday March 23 saw the club rugby return for the first time since the conclusion of the Six Nations, with sides across Caerphilly County Borough back in league action.

Cross Keys marked the return with a 21-10 win over Islwyn rivals Newbridge in the WRU National Championship East.

Elsewhere in the division, Penallta remain second from bottom after a 47-28 home defeat to league leaders Cardiff Met.

Met are currently six points clear of Bargoed at the top of the table, but have played three more games.

Bargoed didn’t play in the league over the weekend, instead beating fellow championship outfit Bedwas 34-8 in the WRU Challenge Cup semi-finals at the Bridgefield.

The win means the Bulls will face Ystrad Rhondda in the final, which will be played at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

Down in League One East, Nelson and Risca battled it out in a high-scoring affair, which saw hosts Nelson come away with a narrow 46-43 victory.

Elsewhere, Senghenydd were also racking up points on the scoreboard as they beat Pontypool United 73-0 at home.

However, promotion-chasing Ynysddu were dealt a blow when they lost 36-22 at home to Brynmawr.

Dropping down to League Two East, Blackwood RFC kept their promotion hopes very much alive with a 38-35 win over Pill Harriers.

There was disappointment at the other end of the table for their local rivals Oakdale however, who lost 55-10 at Cwmbran and remain in the relegation zone.

In League Two East Central, fourth-place Caerphilly consigned third-place Llanishen to a 31-27 defeat at Virginia Park to keep the pressure on the teams above them.

Meanwhile, league leaders Abercarn beat fellow-borough outfit Rhymney 39-35 and now sit 13 points clear at the top of League Three East.

In League Four East, Crumlin have fallen to second after losing 26-15 at home to New Panteg, who climb above them into first.

Bottom-place New Tredegar were beaten at fellow-relegation battlers Hafodyrnys 52-26, while Bedwellty remain fifth despite losing 20-3 at home to Bettws Newport.

Blackwood Stars‘ game with St Julians HSOB was postponed.

Elsewhere, League Five East leaders Pontllanfraith lost their second game in a row – with second-place Hollybush beating them 16-15.

In the division below, unbeaten league leaders Deri conjured up an enormous 132-0 win at home to Girling in League Six East.