WLB Carruthers Shield
This weekend saw the 2026 WLB Carruthers Shield get underway with 11 scheduled games. Round 1 delivered plenty of excitement, a few nail-biting finishes, and some heavily dominant performances.
Abertillery (130-46 vs Gadiffaith) and Bedwas & Trethomas ( 124-46 vs Abergavenny) lead the way with convincing wins over their respective opponents.
Rhymney Gwent ( 122-56 over Caerleon ), Blackwood (114-68 at Machen) and Bedwellty Park (100-59 vs Oakdale) also came away with comfortable wins.
There were also some much tigher affairs, with Firbank edged past Oakdale Welfare 80.25 to 77, whilst there was an equally close game at Whiteheads, as they dug deep to narrowly defeat Crickhowell 81-77.
The remaining fixtures in the round saw Pontymister Athletic secure a 98-69 win at Six Bells, Beaufort also won on the road as they overcame Ynysddu 85-64 and Llanhilleth also enjoyed a fruitful away trip, defeating Belle Vue 93-58.
RTB Ebbw Vale received a bye into Round 2 as Pontymister Welfare conceded the game due to lack of players.
The remaining fixtures in the round saw Pontymister Athletic secure a 98-69 win at Six Bells, Beaufort also won on the road as they overcame Ynysddu 85-64 and Llanhilleth also enjoyed a fruitful away trip, defeating Belle Vue 93-58.
RTB Ebbw Vale received a bye into Round 2 as Pontymister Welfare conceded the game due to lack of players.
Round 2 draw - TO BE PLAYED ON Saturday 16th May
Bedwas & Trethomas vs Crosskeys
Panteg Park vs Firbank
Pontymister Athletic vs Cwmbran Park
Croesyceiliog vs Blackwood
Pontypool Park vs Aberca
Whiteheads vs Newbridge
Newport Athletic vs Chepstow
Llanhilleth vs Blaenavon
Bedwellty Park vs Rhymney Royal
St. Julians vs Beaufort
Caldicot vs Blaina
RTB Ebbw Vale vs Rhymney Gwent
Panteg House vs Abertillery
New Tredegar vs Pontnewydd
MBA Division 1
Over in the MBA Division 1, with a few teams receiving 1st round byes, it was an opportunity for them to continue their league campaign. Crosskeys continued their winning start to the season with a commanding 110-67 home victory over St. Julians, taking all 14 points on offer. In the weekend's other league fixture, Blaina hit the road and delivered a fantastic performance to defeat Croesyceiliog 89-64, also securing all 14 points, moving them up to 2nd in the league.
MBA Division 2
In MBA Division 2, Newbridge edged out Pontnewydd in a nail-biting 77-75 victory, securing 10 points. Despite defeat, the 4 points picked up by Pontnewydd was enough to move them to the top of the division. In the other fixture, Caldicot used their home advantage to picking up 12 points in a 85-70 win over Blaenavon.
MBA Division 3
Panteg House continued their impressive start to the season as they recorded a 2nd 14 point win in 3 games, as they secured a 112-48 win over Rhymney Royal, leaving them 12 points ahead of 2nd place with only 3 games played. In a closer encounter, Chepstow came out the victors with a narrowly 78-76 (12-2) win over Beechwood. Pontypool Park remain 2nd despite a 12-2 defeat to New Tredegar, who move up into 3rd place following their win.
MBA Division 4 and 5
No matches in either division due to teams being involved in the WLB Carruthers Shield.
GBL 3 Rink - Division 1
Blackwood continued their winning start to the season with a 10-2 win at home to Bedwellty Park whilst Crosskeys move up to 3rd place in the standings following their 10-2 win at Pontymister Athletic. RTB Ebbw Vale bounced back from defeat in their opening game to record a narrow 9-3 win over Monmouth to secure their first win of the season.
GBL 3 Rink - Division 2
Wins for Chepstow (8-4 vs Cwmbran Park) and Blaina (10-2 vs Caldicot) sees both teams rise to 1st and 2nd respectively, with Chepstow sitting top by way of shot difference. Elsewhere Aberca took home 10 points from their visit to Abergavenny.
GBL 2 Rink - Division 1
With only 1 game being played last week, many teams were opening their league campaigns this week. Bailey Park lead the way as they picked up all 10 points at New Tredegar. Beaufort sit 2nd following their 8-2 win at Panteg House whilist Pontymister Athletic also started their campaign with a win, 8-2 over Caldicot. The Pontypool Park and Croesyceiliog match was postponed to the home team having player shortages.
GBL 2 Rink - Division 2
Similar to Division 1, may sides started their seasons this week. Abertillery lead the division having played on both Saturday and Sunday, starting out with 8-2 defeat at Pontymister Welfare but bouncing back with a 10-0 win at Beechwood on the Sunday. Blackwood remain 2nd in the division, as they won 8-2 at Crickhowell.
