MID DISTRICT ROUND-UP

THERE was a full schedule of National league fixtures for Mid District clubs this weekend, writes Jamie Willis.

In the Principality Premiership, Merthyr finished in third spot in the table for the first part of the season after they were beaten 24-17 by an Aberavon team who ended their opening part of the term in top spot. The Ironmen lead 17-14 at the interval but it was the Wizards who had the better of the second period to take the points.

Pontypridd slipped down to fifth place in the table after being overtaken by their hosts RGC 1404 and Bedwas. Ponty returned from North Wales with a heavy 47-17 loss despite leading 10-0 early in the game with tries from Dale Stuckley and skipper Dafydd Lockyer ending up as consolation efforts.

Bargoed though finished their first part of the league programme with a tight 17-16 win over Newport at Bargoed Park. The Blues move off the bottom of the table after crossing the line three times in what was their third Premiership win of the season.

In the National Championship, Beddau left it to the final play to take the points at Newcastle Emlyn. The Green and Golds were 15-0 down at the interval but fought back in the second period with centre Tyler Wells grabbing the vital try at the death with fly half Hywel Chatham slotting the conversion for a 20-15 success.

Bedlinog will be somewhat disappointed to have been on the wrong end of a 21-15 scoreline with Newbridge at their Recreation Ground. The Foxes take a losing bonus point in the defeat which keeps them in a solid fifth place in the table.

In National One East, leaders Rhydyfelin were made to fight for their 100% record at Brynmawr before eventually claiming a 15-9 win. Luke Studley scored a brace of tries for the Taff Ely Club with Dai Gratton slotting a penalty and conversion.

Nelson narrowed the gap at the top to just two points after they earned a 31-20 success at Caerleon. The Unicorns recorded an impressive 11th win in 12 starts but were certainly tested by the Gwent club.

Penallta are just nine points off top spot after claiming a 31-8 win over Blaenavon at Ystrad Mynach. The Pitmen scored tries through Lloyd Rowlands, Jonny Wright, Zac Cusack, Elliot Keep and Rhys Stephens with Matthew Brewer kicking the extras to take another bonus point success.

Ynysybwl won the battle of the Mid District clubs with Senghenydd at their Recreation Ground winning 36-17 after the visitors made it difficult for them early on. Macauley Griffiths (2), Joseph Williams, Dewi Morris and Ollie Rees all crossed the whitewash for the Bwl with the prolific Dion Macintosh adding the extras. Both teams’ placings in the table remain unchanged after this result with Ynysybwl in fourth spot and Sneggy in 11th.

Brecon moved up two places in the table with an impressive 42-19 win over Nantyglo at Parc de Pugh. The Powys outfit took a bonus point in the victory which sees them jump to seventh spot in the table at the half-way point in the league season.

In National One East Central, leaders Treorchy took the bragging rights in the Rhondda derby at Porth Harlequins. The Zebras put on a strong second-half performance to claim a bonus-point 27-3 victory. Treorchy’s unbeaten league run rolls on to game number 13 as they keep their six-point lead at the top of the table. Porth, who battled bravely throughout and gave their visitors a tough opening period, remain in eighth place.

Mountain Ash recorded their first double of what has been a good season as they beat St Joseph’s 34-22 at Parc Dyffryn Pennar. The Old Firm will now travel to Heol Y Cyw next Saturday in what is their game in hand knowing that a bonus-point win will leave them just one point behind Treorchy at the top.

Ystrad Rhondda are still in the mix at the top and just eight points adrift of their neighbours Treorchy after a big bonus-point 47-6 win at Cardiff Quins. Matthew Jeczalik, Rhys Truelove, Gerwyn Coleman, Neil Jones and Ryan Howells were amongst the try scorers for Ystrad who stay third.

Dowlais slipped to fifth in the table after they were beaten 21-7 by Rhiwbina at Klondyke. The win for the Cardiff club sees them jump above the Heads of the Valleys side and into fourth place.

Llantwit Fardre will again be a little disappointed not to have got a result after having a fair share of the ball at home to Llanharan. The Blues battled away but could only muster a losing bonus point in the 13-11 reverse which leaves them nine points adrift at the bottom.

In National Two East Central, Aberdare jumped up to third place after a good day at the office in Pontyclun. The Cynon Valley side’s 29-10 win means that they are now just six points off leaders Dinas Powys.

Llantrisant suffered a tight 24-20 away loss at CR Cymry Caerdydd to slip down the table to fourth. This was only the third league loss of the season for the Black Army who are now seven points off top spot with a game in hand.

There was also agonising and close losses for Gilfach Goch and Abercynon to Cardiff clubs. Gilfach put up a big fight against second-place St Peters at the Welfare Ground before being pipped 18-17, whilst Abercynon pushed Llanishen all the way in the capital before eventually losing out 25-18. Both sides drop a place in the table with Gilfach now occupying seventh place and Abercynon a place lower.

In National Three East Central A, Cambrian Welfare went eight points clear at the top after they picked up a bonus-point 25-5 win at a much-improved Pentyrch outfit. This was the Miners’ 11th league success from 11 starts this season.

Cilfynydd lost ground on the leaders after they came out on the wrong end of a 22-21 result at home to fellow Mid District club Treharris. This was only the Bumbles’ second loss of the season and they stay in second spot but the Phoenix have now won six of their first eight games after this thriller and they stay in a good fifth place.

Abercwmboi won the league and Worthington Mid District Bowl double header at Treherbert despite the home team giving them a tough workover. The Devils lead 6-5 at the interval thanks to two penalties from playercoach Lee Stone which was in response to an early Julian Jarvis try for the visitors. In a tight second period Abercwmboi finally took the ascendancy and scored tries through influential back row man Lee Jarvis and wingman Mason Williams. Outside half Jordon Rees kicked the extras to ensure the Cynon Valley club are the first name in the Bowl semi-final hat and that they took four valuable league points. Abercwmboi remain third place in the table and just a point off second as for Treherbert they stay in 10th spot but will be perhaps a little disappointed not to have grasped a losing bonus point.

In the bottom-of-thetable clash at Ynysowen, visitors Llandaff will have been more than happy to take the points with a 2318 win which now leaves their hosts at the basement of the table. There is some consolation for Ynysowen in that they are only a bonus-point win from climbing four places in the table.

In National Three East Central B, Cefn Coed made it 10 wins from 10 but how they were made to work for it at Tonyrefail. The Wolves beat off a superb effort from the Rhondda club to claim a narrow 11-10 victory which sees them go seven points clear. Tonyrefail remain in ninth place but have left a marker for the rest of the season.

Penygraig moved up to second in the table with a bonus-point win in Penarth against Old Penarthians. This was Graig’s eighth win from 10 league games and they are certainly looking in the mix for promotion this season.

There was another good win for Tylorstown at Penrys Park as they lowered the colours of their guests St Albans. The Tigers 26-8 success sees them move up a place to fifth.

Wattstown finally ended their losing streak with a hard fought 18-15 win at Caerau Ely. The Ducks had gone on a five-match losing run but confidence will certainly be restored as they started 2017 with a win to take them to seventh in the table.

In National Three East Central C, Ferndale kept up one of if not the best record in Welsh league rugby this season with a seventh consecutive bonus-point win. The Rhondda club have an immaculate record in the league after dispatching third-place Sully View 4110.

Their nearest rivals in the table are fellow Mid District club Hirwaun who returned from Llanrumney with a 22-12 win to stay just three points behind in the ladder. The Cynon Valley club have played two games more than Ferndale but there is a good chance that both clubs could gain promotion this season.

In National Three East A, Caerphilly went to the top of the table after demolishing bottom club Llanhilleth 64-19 at the constructaquote stadium. The Cheesemen have games in hand over the teams above them so they will be pretty happy with their position going into the New Year. Tom Candy (2), Dan Jones (2), Rhys Cleverley, Matthew Nuttall, Simon Skinner and Jac Jonathan all crossed for tries with Matthew Hurley enjoying another good afternoon for the new leaders.

In National Three East C, Deri were another team who enjoyed a hugely impressive result. The Rhymney Valley outfit travelled to Newport Saracens who were the team a place above them in the table and they returned with an excellent 19-5 success. The win keeps the Broncos in fourth place and six points off the leaders but with a game in hand.