Cwmbran Athletic had no answer to Hartridge's powerful front five in this away District Cup fixture on Saturday.

The home sides scrum and driving lineouts were a feature of the game and any three-quarter move always took them back to strength. Cwmbran on the other hand tried to get the ball to their pacey backline at every opportunity.

After ten minutes of play Hartridge drove the Crows over their own line for a pusher try. Cwmbran's reply was swift, as they swept upfield in numbers, half-backs Shaun Watkins and Dave Saunders were instrumental in the move which saw full-back Shaun Roynon crash over for a try which Saunders converted.

Good pressure by the pack and Kirkup in particular resulted in Hartridge conceding a penalty - Saunders kicked the penalty. A yellow card didn't help Cwmbran's cause as Hartridges forward power resulted in two first half tries - one of which was converted.

Trailing 10-17 at the interval, Dave Edwards men needed to score next, however, another Hartridge try and Cwmbran yellow card saw that this did not happen.

Another Hartridge penalty increased the lead before Cwmbran's best player, inside-half Shaun Watkins, scored a deserved try.

With time running out the home side kicked a penalty to conclude the match.

For Cwmbran Chris Lewis and James Craddock strived hard in the lineout to gain some quality possession ably backed by Gardner and Kirkup. Behind these Watkins, Vann, Hodges and Roynon had good games.