MID DISTRICT RUGBY REVIEW

MID District clubs were in action in National Cup, Bowl, Plate and league action this weekend, writes Jamie Willis.

In the National Cup, Beddau came close to causing an upset as they gave Premiership champions Ebbw Vale a tough afternoon at Mount Pleasant Park. The visitors got the only score in the first period through skipper Ronnie Kynes with a catch and drive which was converted to lead 7-0 at the interval. Hywel Chatham kicked a penalty early in the second half for the Green and Golds but they could not add to it as Ebbw claimed a 7-3 success to reach the quarterfinals.

Merthyr will be joining Ebbw Vale in the last eight after they recorded an impressive 25-14 win at inform Bedwas. The Ironmen were awarded a penalty try with Gary Powell and Osian Davies also crossing the whitewash with the prolific Matthew Jarvis slotting two penalties and a conversion in the victory.

Pontypridd scored five tries in their 34-29 win over Newport at Sardis Road. The Valley Commandos lead 31-3 into the second half but the Black and Ambers put on an excellent second-half comeback to come within a score of taking the spoils. Huw Dowden, Dafydd Lockyer, Hemi Barnes, Wayne Evans and Lewis I Williams grabbed Ponty’s tries.

Bargoed had one of the trickiest ties of the round and put on a decent shift at Llandovery before finally being beaten 275. Flanker Alex Herbert grabbed the Blues’ sole score with a first-half try.

In the National Plate, there was a fantastic and nail-biting game at Ystrad Mynach as local rivals Penallta entertained Nelson. Both teams are still in the hunt for the Division One East title and they showed glimpses of why that is in front of an impressive crowd. The Unicorns shocked their hosts in the first half to build up a solid 13-3 lead at the interval, but the Pitmen put together an outstanding second-half performance to take the tie with a 20-16 final scoreline.

Penallta join Abercarn, Nant Conwy and Ystalyfera in the semi-final draw.

In the National Bowl, there could yet be an allMid District final as both Cilfynydd and Caerphilly had good quarter-final wins.

Cilfynydd were in fine form away at Division Three West Central A outfit Swansea Uplands. The Uplands had only lost once this season but the Bumbles made it two with a good 32-5 win to book their spot in the next round draw.

There had been a big build up to the derby at the Constructaquote Stadium all week and it was Caerphilly who took the bragging rights over their guests Taffs Well.

The Cheesemen were in rampant form in the first half building up a good 24-0 lead.

The East District club gave a better second-half performance and were rewarded with two late, converted tries but the home team will go into the hat for next week’s draw with a 41-14 final score. Chris Thomas, Matthew Hurley, Josh Williams and former Pontypridd wing Matthew Nuttall were amongst Caerphilly’s try scorers.

Amman United and Cardigan are the other two clubs who enjoyed quarter-final wins.

In National One East, Rhydyfelin returned to the top of the table after coming out on top 32-25 in an entertaining fixture at Abertillery BG.

The Village grabbed a try bonus point in the win to go three points clear of previous leaders Nelson who were in National Plate action. Luke Rees, Jordon Rees, Mark Tyler and skipper Lewis Smith crossed for tries for the visiting team with Dai Gatton slotting two conversions and three penalties.

This win for the Taff Ely club sets up what now looks like a mouth-watering clash with Nelson in the next round of league games on Saturday, March 4.

There was another classic of a game at Nantyglo where a late fightback from Ynysybwl meant they stole the points with a 32-31 victory.

The Bwl also claimed a try-scoring bonus point thanks to the two late converted tries which means they remain in fourth spot in the ladder.

Senghenydd travelled to Caerleon and found the home team to be on top of their game. The Gwent club proved that they want a top four finish in the 45-8 victory. The Saints stay one place off the basement and eight points adrift of safety but do have a game in hand over the teams above them.

In Division One East Central, Treorchy extended their lead at the top to 13 points after another bonus-point win over St Josephs. The Zebras did not have it their own way, particularly in the first half, but moved away from their hosts in the second period to take the spoils by 40-26.

Ystrad Rhondda missed out on the important try bonus point at battling mid-table outfit Llanharan. The Rhondda club looked odds on to take the extra point after they were awarded a penalty try to go to efforts from Jack Foulkes and Liam Davies but the Dairymen kept them out and took a bonus point themselves in the 19-12 final scoreline.

Mountain Ash kept alive their outside chance of league glory with a 2417 win over a hard working Heol Y Cyw at Parc Dyffryn Pennar. The Old Firm are three points off second place with a game in hand over the teams around them.

Porth Harlequins slipped into the bottom three after they were beaten 27-16 by fellow Mid District club Dowlais in the Rhondda. The Quins gave their Heads of the Valleys guests a tough second half but could not take anything from it. Dowlais move up to fifth after their ninth win of the season.

Llantwit Fardre remain rooted to the basement after suffering their 15th loss of the campaign at home to Rhiwbina. The Blues played well in parts of the game but the Cardiff side proved too strong in the end, claiming maximum points in a 37-10 victory.

In Division Two East Central, Llantrisant jumped back up to second after recording a good 4124 win at Llanishen. The Black Army also claimed a bonus point which means they are now just three points off the top.

It is Dinas Powys who currently occupy top spot after they continued their good season with a workmanlike display against Mid District club Abercynon.

The Cynon Valley club certainly didn’t let their visitors have it easy though and will have perhaps been disappointed with the 34-18 reverse score. Cynon slip to 10th in the table and are starting to look over their shoulders at teams in the relegation places.

Aberdare’s hopes of a top-two finish were hugely dented as they returned from bottom club Old Illtydians pointless. The Snakes slip to fourth in the rankings after the 2213 shock result.

Gilfach Goch faired a lot better against Cardiff opposition though as they took the points against CR Cymry Caerdydd at the Welfare Ground. The Rhondda boys move up to sixth place with the 30-22 win which was their sixth victory of the league season.

In Three National Division East Central A, Abercwmboi closed the gap on leaders Cambrian Welfare to six points with a tough 22-5 success at Llandaff. The Village boys could not get the important bonus point but will have been more than happy with just a victory against a good side.

Treharris were not as lucky down in the capital but still went home with two points after a 13-13 draw with Fairwater. The Phoenix remain in fifth place but have games in hand over most teams in the league.

Llandaff North continued their improvement by putting a stop to Ynysowen’s recent good run with a 22-5 victory. Ynys remain in eighth place in the table despite the defeat.

In the all-Mid District club affair at the bottom of the table, Treherbert took the vital points with a 23-5 home win over Gwernyfed.

The Devils jump out of the bottom three with the deserved win whilst the Cockerels fall to the bottom of the table but have games in hand over teams in the relegation area.

In National Three East Central B, league leaders Cefn Coed recorded win number 15 for the season with a 22-9 win over Llantwit Major. The Wolves go 11 points clear at the top as they continue their quest for an unbeaten league season.

Penygraig are the club that are those 11 points behind after they recorded their second victory over local rivals Wattstown in six days at Graig Park. After last Sunday’s Worthington Mid District Bowl success they followed that up with an extremely tight 12-7 league win to keep their second spot. The Ducks really gave their hosts a run for their money and deservedly took a losing bonus point but slip to sixth place.

Tylorstown will be disappointed not to have closed the gap on the top teams as they returned from Old Penarthians with a 16-5 defeat. But despite the loss they stay in fourth spot and 10 points off the second promotion spot.

Tonyrefail are enjoying a revival this season and their latest victory came this weekend at home to Caerau Ely. The Rhondda club’s 41-12 success sees them move up to ninth in the table and just a single win off fifth place.

In National Three East Central B, leaders Ferndale kept up their remarkable unbeaten run with a 24-5 win at Llandridnod Wells.

The Rhondda club have now won all 10 of their games this season with maximum points. They are now 14 points clear of second place with a game in hand.

Hirwaun stay in third spot despite their game at home to Tonygwynlais being postponed.

In Division Three East C, Deri continued their fine recent form with an excellent 36-7 away win at fellow promotion chasing Whiteheads.

The Broncos victory means they move up to third spot and are now just 11 points off leaders Markham with two games in hand.