MID DISTRICT RFU ROUND-UP

AGAIN there was some top quality action involving Mid District clubs over the weekend, writes Jamie Willis.

There was no Principality Premiership fixtures due to the British and Irish Cup, but Bargoed, Merthyr and Pontypridd are all involved in the Foster’s Challenge Cup on Wednesday evening.

In the National Championship there were impressive victories for both Beddau and Bedlinog. The Green and Golds of Beddau stay in fourth spot but narrow the gap on second and third place to just four points after they returned from Narberth with an excellent 23-11 win. Cody Baker, Liam Rogers and James Cashin crossed the whitewash for the Taff Ely club with the prolific Hywel Chatham weighing in with eight points from the boot.

The Foxes kept up their unbeaten home record with a 22-10 win over second-placed Tata Steel. Sam Farrar-Evans, Ben Grzesica and Geraint Edmonds scored the tries with Grzesica also slotting two conversions and a penalty to keep Bedlinog in a good fifth spot in their first term in the Championship.

In National One East, the game of the day was no doubt at Nelson where the Unicorns hosted their fellow unbeaten Mid District club Rhydyfelin. As expected, the game proved to be a close affair but it was the visitors who eventually took the spoils with a 19-11 success. The Pontypridd club scored tries through Kyle Perry, Jordan Rees and Fforest Quirke with Dai Gratton kicking two conversions. Daniel Davies did cross the line for the hosts and Danny Ellis also kicked two conversions. Rhydyfelin lead the table by five points from secondplaced Nelson after this result.

Penallta stay third in the table but only after they were given a real fright by lowly Brynmawr at Ystrad Mynach. The Gwent Valley club frustrated a Pitmen outfit who eventually took the points thanks to a brace of tries from Aeron Bidgood plus an effort from Max George.

Ynysybwl recorded their fourth win of the campaign with a hard working 28-16 victory at a good Caerleon outfit. Joseph Williams and Alun Thomas were among the scorers for the Bwl with Dion Macintosh again proving to be very reliable with the boot.

Brecon remain eighth in the table despite going down 34-17 at Risca in an entertaining fixture. The Powys outfit battled well throughout but it was the Gwent club who took the points in the end.

Senghenydd also bravely battled away at Abertillery BG but had to come away empty handed as they were beaten 29-11 by a well-organised outfit. The Saints sit in ninth spot in the table after the first six games.

In National One East Central, there was a large crowd at Gelligallad Park as Ystrad Rhondda played host to old rivals and unbeaten league leaders Treorchy. After a hugely intense and tight 80 minutes the teams could not be separated and shared the points with a 9-9 draw. Corey Sheppard hit three penalties for the home team which were equalled by the Zebras kicker Jordan Lloyd. Treorchy remain top of the table, while Ystrad remain in contention in third spot.

Dowlais’ remarkable form continued as they won their sixth consecutive game to remain as the only club with a 100% record in the league. The Heads of the Valleys outfit left Cardiff Quins with a well-deserved 31-22 victory with Jake Howard grabbing a brace of tries. Dowlais remain in second spot and just two points behind leaders Treorchy.

Mountain Ash are really showing some good form of late and recorded their fourth win in five league games with a comfortable 29-6 home win over Rumney. The Old Firm now sit in fourth spot and on this form could be a real bet for a title push this season.

Porth Harlequins slipped into the bottom two as lady luck again seemed to go against them at Llanharan. The Quins were right in the game till late but the home team held out to claim the 20-10 win.

Llantwit Fardre remain rooted to the bottom of the table as Heol Y Cyw inflicted their sixth successive loss on them at Central Park. The Blues again fought hard throughout but the visitors walked away with the points with an 18-5 final scoreline.

In National Two East Central, Llantrisant made it five wins from five and remain a point clear at the top after a 23-17 win at Penarth. The Seasiders made the Black Army fight for their points in a tough but entertaining fixture.

Abercynon really are enjoying their season and moved up to fourth with a narrow 14-12 win over fellow District outfit Gilfach Goch at Y Parc. Both sides have improved over the last few weeks and this was again evident in a good old fashioned District clash.

Aberdare are taking well to their new league after promotion from Division Three and they hit third spot with a 29-12 win at Llanishen in horrible conditions. The Snakes, who have been suffering with injury problems up until recently, are now just three points off top spot.

In National Three East Central A, something had to give at Taffs Well where the host club welcomed league leaders and fellow unbeaten outfit Cambrian Welfare. In a game where defences really stood tall it was the Miners of Cambrian who managed to stand taller to record the narrow 6-0 victory.

Cilfynydd are equal on points with Cambrian at the top of the table as they were again in fine form recording a bonus-point 42-7 win over Pentyrch at the Welfare Ground. The Bumbles now have won all five league games this season.

Abercwmboi are also in the mix at the top as they put on a good display at home to bottom club Llandaff. The Village recorded an emphatic 36-0 bonus-point win to stay just four points off the leaders.

There was another tight all-Mid District club affair at Gwernyfed where Treherbert will have been pleased to have come away with the spoils in a close and nail-biting encounter. The Devils held out to leave the host club with just a losing bonus point in a 26-24 victory.

Ynysowen could not get going at home against a much improved Llandaff North outfit as the Cardiff club returned to the capital with a 13-0 success.

Treharris’s home fixture with Fairwater was postponed.

In National Three East Central B, it was Penygraig who came out on top in another big Rhondda derby as they returned from unbeaten league leaders Wattstown with a tight 11-6 victory. The victors now move up to third place in the table whise the Ducks slip to second but just three points off the leaders.

Cefn Coed took advantage of Wattstown’s slip up as they went to the summit with a good 20-17 win over Llantwit Major in the Merthyr Valley. Cefn’s fifth successive league win means they are now the only team in this league with a 100% record.

Tylorstwon suffered their first league loss of the season as they disappointingly lost out 16-12 to newly promoted Old Penarthians in the Rhondda. The Tigers slip down to fifth after this loss.

Tonyrefail continued their decent start to the season with a very good 18-15 away success at Caerau Ely. This win lifts Ton up to a solid ninth spot in the league ladder.

In National Three East Central C, Hirwaun suffered their first loss of the season at new leaders Sully View. The home team put on one of their best performances of the season to take record a 3410 win.

Ferndale stay second despite CIACS pulling out of the scheduled fixture in the Rhondda.

In National Three East A, Caerphilly made it a third success in four games as they beat a stubborn Fleur-de-Lys outfit away from home. The Cheesemen are now third in the table after this bonus-point 28-12 success.

In National Three East C, Deri put on one of the performances of the day to beat previously unbeaten league leaders Whiteheads 18-6.

This win takes the Rhymney Valley outfit up to fifth with two wins and a draw in their opening three games.