MID DISTRICT ROUND-UP

THE majority of games involving Mid District clubs beat the adverse weather conditions over the weekend,

There was a break in the Principality Premiership as the Foster’s Challenge Cup continues this Wednesday with Pontypridd entertaining Merthyr and Ebbw Vale travelling to face a resurgent Bargoed.

In the National Championship, Beddau recorded their tenth league win of the campaign with a 26-10 home success over Cardiff Met. Joe Casella, Ryan Bean, Tyler Wells and Adam Ashford scored the four tries for the Green and Golds to claim the bonus point with outside half Hywel Chatham successful with three conversions. Beddau consolidate their spot in fourth place with this win.

Bedlinog will be huge- ly disappointed to have thrown away a 12-0 halftime lead at Glynneath to lose out 18-12. The Foxes could only settle for a bonus point at Abernant Park but stay in a good fifth place in the ladder.

In the National Bowl, Rhydyfelin lost their 100% record for the season as they were beaten 18-12 in North Wales by a good Nant Conwy team. The Taff Ely club will not be re-appearing at the Principality Stadium this year but they still have sights on a league play-off spot plus Silver Ball and Mid District Cup honours.

Penallta though are still dreaming of another day out on finals day after they returned from Aberavon Quins with a 23-10 victory. Skipper Ross Morgan and Elliot Keep crossed for tries for the Pitmen with Lloyd Rowlands slotting two penalties and a conversion to send their club into next week’s lasteight draw.

Nelson will join their local rivals in that draw after they claimed a deserved and hard fought win over Trebanos at Ystrad Mynach. The Unicorns 2414 win against the West Wales club means that there will be two Mid District clubs in the quarterfinals.

It is only two clubs as Dowlais’ excellent Plate run came to an end at Division One West Central outfit Ystalyfera. The Heads of the Valleys club gave a good fight but eventually were beaten 12-5.

In the National Bowl, Caerphilly were the big winners of the day as they put a depleted Wattstown to the sword at the constructaquote stadium. Player-coach Matthew Nuttall scored a brace of tries for the Cheesemen with Chris Thomas, Josh Hayward, Tom Candy, Dan Jones, Jac Jonathan and Rhys Cleverly also crossing in the 51-3 suc- cess. Outside half Matthew Hurley was successful with four conversions and a penalty to conclude a win against a Wattstown team who battled bravely until the end.

Joining Caerphilly in the last eight are Cilfynydd who recorded arguably the win of the day at previously unbeaten Cambrian Welfare. The Bumbles avenged a recent league defeat at the Tump to reach the quarter-final and can perhaps start dreaming of a day out in the capital. Cambrian will concentrate on the league title and promotion after this loss as they still hold a big lead in Division Three East Central A.

Treherbert were unlucky not to make it a trio of Mid District clubs in the last-eight draw as they gave a battling home performance against last season’s finalists Taffs Well. The Devils 10-3 defeat will be of disappointment to them but it will certainly give them confidence for the remaining part of the season.

The Nantyglo versus Ynysybwl fixture was postponed.

In National One East Central, Mountain Ash are now just two points behind leaders Treorchy but they were made to fight for their win at lowly Heol Y Cyw. A strong home team pushed the Old Firm all the way but were eventually beaten 9-6. Mountain Ash are now certainly in the mix for a promotion play-off spot at the half way point in the season and their home game against the Zebras in a fortnight’s time is going to be massive for both clubs.

In National Three East Central A, Abercwmboi moved up to second in the table with a very good 33-9 win at Pentyrch. The East District club have enjoyed some good wins in recent weeks but could not prevent the Village from gaining a deserved bonus-point win to move up the ladder.

Treharris are certainly a team in form and they recorded their seventh win in nine league games with a 39-12 win at fellow Mid District club Gwernyfed. The Phoenix stay in fifth place in the table but are just 12 points off third with two games in hand. Their Powys hosts stay in 10th spot but also have games in hand of teams around them.

In National Three East Central B, Cefn Coed still have their 100% league record intact after Old Penarthians became the latest club to fall to the leaders. The Wolves’ 20-3 win mean they are six points clear at the top.

Penygraig are enjoying a very good season and currently occupy second spot in the table after recording their ninth win of the season at Cowbridge. The Rhondda club took the spoils with a 26-18 win down in the Vale and should be confident of challenging leaders Cefn Coed in the second part of the season.

Tylorstown too could make a challenge at the top of the table in their remaining 12 games of the season. The Tigers moved up to fourth place after a third successive league win against Cardiff Saracens at Penryhs Park. The 14-7 victory was their sixth league win of the campaign.

In National Three East Central C, leaders Ferndale had their game with Tonygwynlais postponed late in the day which gave second-place Hirwaun the opportunity to leapfrog them to the top spot. But it was not to be for the Cynon Valley club as they were beaten 38-29 in a thriller at Cathays. Both sides gained try bonus points but it was not enough for Hirwaun who are now two points behind the leaders but having played three games more.