Rugby round-up: Promotion and relegation battles heat up over Easter weekend

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Newbridge have risen to sixth in the WRU National Championship East after beating lowly Penallta 37-22 on Saturday March 30.

Elsewhere in the league, Bedwas have dropped to seventh after suffering a 33-24 loss at home to Cross Keys, who remain fourth.

Bargoed didn’t play over the weekend, but stay second, six points behind leaders Cardiff Met with three games in hand.

In League One East, Ynysddu earned a convincing 53-22 win over Abergavenny, while Risca have moved off bottom-place despite a 48-30 loss away to Blaenavon.

Nelson fell to a narrow 20-19 defeat at league leaders Brynmawr.

In League Two East, Oakdale‘s survival hopes were boosted with a 34-12 home win over bottom-place Caerleon.

Over in League Three East, Abertysswg Falcons were successful on the road, beating Nantyglo 23-22 to climb above them into fourth.

However, third-place Rhymney‘s trip to second-place Blaina was postponed.

In League Four East, New Tredegar recorded just their second league victory of the season, beating St Julians HSOB 26-21 to leapfrog them in the table and climb off bottom.

Meanwhile, fellow-relegation battlers Blackwood Stars beat Whiteheads 21-15 at home.

But there was defeat for Bedwellty, who lost 36-12 at Gwernyfed, while Hafodyrynys lost 34-17 at home to Crickhowell.

Dropping down to League Five East, Hollybush overtook Pontllanfraith at the table’s summit by beating West Mon 53-7 away. Pontllanfraith meanwhile did not play over the Easter weekend.

Finally, third-place Trinant were beaten in League Six East, suffering a 15-0 loss at home to Tredegar Ironsides.

League leaders Deri, fresh off a 132-0 win over Girling the previous weekend, had their clash with bottom-place Cwmcarn United postponed.