Rugby Union: Fly-half field-day

AN ANGLO-WELSH league is some way off, but the Heineken and Courage competitions looked remarkably similar yesterday, writes Huw Richards.

Both featured a prolific fly-half. Paul Grayson scored 26 points as Northampton withstood Bristol's second-half revival to win 31-24 and go third - Swansea's position in Wales after Aled Williams' 25 points in the 30-10 defeat of Pontypool. Neath lead after winning 10-0 at improving Aberavon.

Broken ducks saw London Irish, who beat Orrell 19-6, and Newbridge, who saw off fellow- strugglers Cross Keys 25-6, move away from the bottom of the top divisions. And both second divisions are headed by teams seeking consecutive changes of status. In England relegated West Hartlepool won 31-9 at Moseley to move clear of Sale, 9-5 losers at Otley. In Wales promoted Treorchy also scored 31 points, including Luc Evans' 21, to Llanharan's 11.

Convergence of a different kind in Scotland. Melrose lead after a 17-9 win over Stirling County, but only on points difference from Gala, Edinburgh Academicals, Heriots FP and Stirling.