A number of clubs from Caerphilly County Borough enjoyed successes across the WRU National Leagues during a weekend of winning runs, derbies, and promotion races.
In the National Championship, however, Newbridge struggled against Newcastle Emlyn, falling to a 5-27 defeat.
Despite taking the lead through winger James Beighton’s unconverted try and largely controlling the match, Newbridge couldn’t contain the West-Walians in heavy conditions at the Welfare Ground, as the visitors ran in four unopposed scores.
Emlyn capitalised on an awful clearance kick when No8 Brynmor Jones charged at the defence to pass inside to Tom Powell, who crossed for the visitor’s first try as the first half drew to a close.
After the interval, Emlyn turned up the heat, scoring through second-row Gareth Bennet, full-back Shaun Leonard, and scrum-half Mike Jones thanks to tireless work from their bruising pack.
The result leaves Newbridge lingering in 11th.
In National Division 3 East A, Oakdale leapfrogged Caerphilly – who were on National Bowl duty (match report overleaf) – with a tightly-contested victory over local rivals Fleur-de-Lys.
Two tries from flanker Samuel Skyrme and replacement front-rower Scott Evans gave Oakdale a slender four-point win over the Flowers in a result which saw them rise to the top of the table, albeit having played three games more than promotion rivals Caerphilly.
Elsewhere in the division, New Tredegar went down 12-34 to Blackwood Stars, and remain 11th.
In Division 3 East B, Machen continued their incredible unbeaten run, extending it to 11 matches with a 0-43 victory away at Rhymney.
The Shirefolk travelled to the War Memorial Park knowing that they were just one of four teams across the WRU National League East Divisions yet to lose this season.
An imperious victory signalled the double over Rhymney, and saw Machen surpass a huge 600 points for the season and take a 12-point lead at the top of the table.
Second-placed Hafodyrynys’s match against Blaina was called off due to an unplayable pitch.