MID DISTRICT RUGBY UNION UPDATE

THERE were no National League fixtures this weekend due to the Wales v Australia match but there was a full schedule of games in the Principality Premiership writes Jamie Willis.

Second-place Merthyr left the Brewery Field a little shell-shocked as Bridgend put on one of their best performances in recent seasons to inflict a 40-10 defeat for the Ironmen. The Ravens crossed for four tries to claim a deserved bonus point while Merthyr’s sole try came from Elis Benham. Outside half Matthew Jarvis kicked the conversion and added a penalty but it was a night to forget for the visitors as they lost for only the second time this season. The one bit of good news for them though was that unbeaten leaders Aberavon were beaten by a last-gasp try at home to Cardiff. Merthyr stay second.

Pontypridd also fell to a heavy defeat at Llandovery in an undisciplined encounter. There was four red cards, two from both clubs with Ponty’s Owen Sheppeard and Dan Godfrey having early baths. The Drovers played some good open rugby and matched that with a little bit too much power at setpiece to claim a 37-3 win. Ponty will rue some basic errors in this defeat which sees them drop to seventh after being overtaken by their hosts. Outside half Callum Hall got Pontypridd’s only score of the game via a penalty goal.

Bargoed again fell agonisingly to a defeat at home to Cross Keys. The Blues lead their Gwent visitors for most of the game but a late penalty try and conversion gave the visitors the spoils. David Evans and Calum Jones crossed the whitewash for Bargoed with outside half Greg Callow slotting two penalties. But the Keys ended the game with the points with a 23-16 final scoreline. With Newport winning at Neath on Thursday, Bargoed slip into the bottom two in the table.

WRU NATIONAL PLATE & BOWL DRAW

THE draw for the WRU National Plate and Bowl draw has been made with several Mid District clubs still involved.

Fixtures involving Mid District Clubs are: Plate Competition – Nelson v Cardiff Quins, Old Illtydians v Dowlais, Penallta v Treorchy, Rhydyfelin v Ammanford, St Peter’s v Builth Wells, Ystalyfera v Mountain Ash.

Bowl Competition – Bangor University v Wattstown, Cambrian Welfare v Birchgrove, Cilfynydd v Machen, Denbigh v Tonyrefail, Nantyffyllon v Treharris, Oakdale v Caerphilly, Treherbert v Newtown, Tylorstown v Burry Port.

WORTHINGTON MID DISTRICT CUP

BEDLINOG defeated Worthington MDRU Cup holders Beddau 28-24 in an entertaining fixture last Wednesday at the Recreation Ground.

At half-time it looked odds on that a dominant and youthful Beddau team would make the last eight in their cup defence as their forwards were completely on top at set piece and held almost all the possession and played with speed and width. The Green and Golds built up a solid 21-5 half-time lead.

But in the second period, with the Foxes playing down the slope and being heavily reinforced with a strong bench, the game completely turned. The possession and territory stats will show that Bedlinog had the better of the second period and with a few late decisions going against the visitors it was Bedlinog who ended the game with a good 28-24 victory.

Joining the Foxes in the quarter-final draw are Mountain Ash and Brecon who both enjoyed victories last week. The Old Firm came back from a 22-10 half-time deficit at home to Porth Harlequins to win by 24-22, while Brecon came out on top of a tight encounter at Senghenydd by 21-13.

Also through to the last eight are Rhydyfelin, Treorchy, and Dowlais. Penallta and Llantwit Fardre will play off to join them on Friday, November 18, while Ynysybwl and Nelson have yet to arrange their first-round fixture date.

WORTHINGTON MID DISTRICT BOWL

ABERCWMBOI are the latest team through to the last eight of the tournament as they returned from a good Cefn Coed outfit with a 20-9 victory last Monday.

The Cynon Valley club join Wattstown, Treherbert, Llantrisant and Abercynon in booking their place in the draw and they will be joined by the winners of the games between Deri and Treharris, Tonyrefail v Penygraig and Aberdare v Gwernyfed.