MID DISTRICT ROUND-UP
THERE was no Premiership rugby but plenty of National league, Plate and Bowl rugby for Mid District clubs over the weekend,
In the National Championship, Bedlinog moved up to fourth in the table despite suffering a 12-9 home loss to a strong Narberth outfit. The Foxes’ bonus-point loss means they go a point clear of fellow Mid District club Beddau who gave a battling performance away at unbeaten leaders Pontypool before going down 21-0. The clubs meet each other next Saturday at Beddau’s Mount Pleasant Park ground.
In the National Plate, there will be four Mid District clubs in the hat for Tuesday’s draw. Division One East leaders Rhydyfelin were given a test by a good Ammanford outfit before eventually running out by 30-3 winners.
Jordon Rees was again on the scoresheet grabbing a brace of tries at the Hawthorn Recreation ground.
It wasn’t as good for Division One East Central leaders Treorchy though as they were beaten in the all-Mid District club clash at Penallta by 36-9. The Pitmen booked their place in the next round thanks to tries from Lewis Barnett (2), Ryan Davies, Aeron Bidgood, Elliot Keep and Matthew Brewer.
Nelson were in rampant form at home to Cardiff Quins as they recorded a big 46-3 home win. The Unicorns proved too strong for their Cardiff visitors who have had a decent start to life in Division One East Central this season.
Dowlais were also on top form as they returned from Old Illtydians with an impressive 42-0 win. The heads of the Valleys outfit will look forward to the last 16 draw with plenty of confidence.
Builth Wells and Mountain Ash though will not be in the bag this week as they suffered away losses. Builth gave a good account of themselves at St Peters before going down 18-8 whilst the Old Firm left Ystalyfera with a 31-19 defeat.
In the National Bowl, five Mid District clubs progressed to round five. Wattstown made the long trip to Bangor University and came away with a 23-16 win that keeps alive their hopes of another trip to the Principality Stadium.
The Ducks will be joined in the next round draw by two other Rhondda clubs. Division Three East Central A leaders Cambrian Welfare enjoyed an excellent 21-3 win over Birchgrove whilst Treherbert were awarded a walkover by Newtown.
Cilfynydd will be happy with their day’s work after inflicting the first defeat of the season on Division Three East B leaders Machen at the Welfare ground. The Bumbles ground out an excellent 27-7 success.
In the battle of the top two teams of Division Three East A, it was second-place Caerphilly who came away with the spoils at leaders Oakdale. The Cheesemen took the tie with a narrow yet deserved 8-5 win.
Tonyrefail, Treharris and Tylorstown’s run in this season’s tournament is over though. Tonyrefail were unlucky to leave North Wales with a 17-15 loss against Denbeigh whilst Treharris gave their hosts Nantyffllon a tough afternoon bef
ore going down 23-16. Tylorstown were beaten at home by last season’s Bowl winners Burry Port by 34-0.
In the Worthington Mid District Bowl, Llantrisant became the first club to book their place in the semi-finals as they came out on top at Abercynon by 27-19. Both teams played some good rugby in awful conditions but it was the Black Army who will now march on to last four.