RUGBY ROUND UP
Quality rugby on display while some games fall to cold weather
SEVERAL games were postponed over the weekend due to the heavy frost but the games that went ahead were hugely exciting, writes Jamie Willis.
In the Principality Premiership, Merthyr remain at the summit despite suffering only their second loss of the season at Carmarthen Quins (see report above).
Pontypridd are now just five points behind Merthyr after they took the spoils in the all Mid District club affair with Bargoed at Sardis Road (report on page 3). Ponty are up to third.
In the National Championship, Beddau missed the chance to move up to third in the table as they were beaten 29-15 at home to Tata Steel. Callum Wheeler, Meurig Davies and Tyler Wells all crossed for the Green and Golds but it was not enough to prevent the Margam-based club from taking maximum points.
Beddau remain in fourth spot but are now joint on points with fellow Mid District club Bedlinog who ground out a hard fought 20-16 win at Glamorgan Wanderers.
In National One West Central, it was the same old story for Builth Wells who again tested their opponents before failing to pick up any match points. The Bulls returned from Ystalyfera with a 3424 loss which means that their hosts jump above them in the table as they slip down to 11th spot.
In National One East, Rhydyfelin’s promotion push shows no sign of slowing down as Senghenydd became the latest side to succumb to a heavy loss at the Taff Ely club. Forwards Lewis James and Chris Phillips both grabbed a brace of tries for the league leaders with Lewis Smith, Josh Hawkins, Chris Tottle, Sam Studley, Jordon Rees and Fforest Quirke also crossing. Ross Lucas was also in form with the boot to secure a big 65-0 final scoreline. This victory puts Rhydyfelin two points clear at the top whilst the battling Saints stay in 11th place.
With Penallta’s fixture postponed due to a frozen field at Abertillery BG, Nelson took full advan- tage to move up to second place with a comfortable 36-13 home win over Brecon. Fourth placed Ynysybwl’s game at Nantyglo also fell foul to the weather.
In National One East Central, leaders Treorchy were held for the second time this season by a battling Rumney at the Oval. Both teams scored a try and two penalties in the 11-11 draw which means that the Zebras lead at the top has been cut to six points.
It is Mountain Ash who have shortened Treorchy‘s point advantage at the top after they returned from Llanharan with a hugely impressive 33-5 win. This was the Old Firm’s sixth consecutive league win.
Ystrad Rhondda are up to third place after winning the all Mid District club affair against Dowlais at Gelligaled. The Rhondda club jumped above their visitors after a tight 8-5 win with Jarrod Llewellyn grabbing the try for the home team.
Porth Harlequins will stay in eighth place despite suffering a 35-17 loss at St Josephs. The Quins were unable to build on last week’s excellent display as they were outgunned by the Cardiff club who move up to sixth spot.
Llantwit Fardre are now 10 points adrift of safety at the bottom as they were beaten 48-24 at home to Cardiff Quins. The Blues are still searching for that elusive first home win of the season.
In National Two East Central, Aberdare had arguably the best result of the weekend as they became the first club to win at Llantrisant’s Cefn Mably ground this season. The Snakes took the spoils with a 24-23 win which means that they stay in fifth spot and just three points behind the Black Army who have slipped down to third.
Gilfach Goch will be hugely disappointed to have left Penarth with just a losing bonus point after going down agonisingly by 18-17. The Gowch stay in seventh place.
Abercynon got back to winning ways with a good 25-21 win over Old Illtydians at Y Parc.
The Cynon Valley club’s fourth win of the season mean they jump up to sixth place in the table.
In National Three East Central A, Cambrian Welfare kept their three-point lead at the top as they returned from Mid District club Ynysowen big 47-7 winners. The Miners claimed maximum points in what was their ninth league success of the season.
Cilfynydd remain in second spot after enjoying what was one of the biggest wins this weekend in the National league over Fairwater at their Welfare Ground. Garan Pearce was the star of the show for Cilfynydd as he crossed six times to set a new club record for tries scored in one fixture.
Abercwmboi stay in third after a tough 17-0 win at fellow Mid District Club Treharris.
The Village were made to really work hard for the points by a Phoenix outfit who went down to only their second defeat of the league season and still remain in a solid fifth place.
Treherbert came up short against an ever-improving Pentyrch outfit in the Rhondda.
The hard working Devils 13-3 loss means they stay in 10th place in the table.
In National Three East Central B, there is just no stopping Cefn Coed as they kept up their 100% start to the league season intact with a 54-3 thumping of St Albans. The win in the capital means that the Wolves are now clear by seven points at the top.
Penygraig also enjoyed a good win in the city as they overcome Cardiff Saracens 17-10 to keep their third place position. Graig’s sixth win of the campaign mean they are now just six points off second with a game in hand.
Wattstown slipped down a spot in the table after they suffered a fourth straight defeat at home to a good Llantwit Major outfit. The Ducks made the Vale club work for their points before eventually losing out 24-10.
Both Tonyrefail and Tylorstown’s games at home to Old Penarthians and Canton respectively were postponed due to the weather.
In National Three East Central C, the game of the day was at Greenwood Park where the hosts Ferndale kept up their immaculate start to the season with a 44-22 win over fellow District club Hirwaun. The Valley Club now go eight points clear at the top with a game in hand over second place. Hirwaun drop to fourth but remain just five points off second with a game more to play.
In National Three East A, former Bargoed pivot Matthew Hurley was the star of the show as Caerphilly kept up their excellent start to the season with a 51-0 win at RTB Ebbw Vale.
Hurley crossed for no fewer than four tries in the victory with Tommy Axenderrie also crossing the whitewash for the Cheesemen who remain three points behind leaders Oakdale with a game in hand.
In National Three East C, Deri put on a good show in front of their supporters by handing West Mon a 53-0 hammering.
The Broncos who have lost just once in the league this season are up to fourth and just five points off top spot with a game more to play than new leaders New Panteg.