MID DISTRICT RUGBY REVIEW

MANY games involving Mid District clubs fell foul of the weather over the weekend but there was still some hugely important games that went ahead, writes Jamie Willis.

In the WRU National Cup both Pontypridd and Merthyr will be in the semi-final draw after they recorded excellent away wins.

Pontypridd returned from Carmarthen Quins with a 24-19 win thanks to a brace of tries from the prolific Dale Stuckey with full back Gary Williams also crossing the line. Former Wales international pivot Ceri Sweeney weighed in with all three conversions and a penalty as the Valley Commandos fought off a late Quins comeback.

Merthyr took the spoils in a tough, uncompromising encounter at Ebbw Vale. Second row Lou Reed got the only try of the game with Matthew Jarvis kicking the conversion and two penalties to send the Ironmen through to the last four with a 13-3 success.

Joining the Mid District duo in this week’s semifinal draw will be Cross Keys and RGC 1404.

In the National Championship, Beddau’s bonus-point home win over Skewen means they are now just a point off second place Tata Steel going into the final weeks of the league season. Dai Francis finished off two excellent scores with hooker Matthew Howells and flanker Jordan Goodwin also crossing the whitewash. Hywel Chatham also got on the score sheet with two penalties and two conversions in the 3016 success.

Bedlinog were without a game this weekend due to their scheduled guests Pontypool playing in the WRU National Cup.

In National Division One East, it is advantage Rhydyfelin at the top of the table after they came out 34-12 winners in their top-of-the-table home clash with Nelson. The Taff Ely boys also picked up a bonus point thanks to tries from Sam Dudley, Luke Rees, Ross Lucas and Kevin Briggs. Full back Dai Gratton ended the game with a 14-point haul as Rhydyfelin go eight points clear at the top.

Penallta missed the chance to catch up on second place Nelson as they were beaten 21-20 by a hugely improved Brynmawr outfit. The Pitmen lead their Gwent rivals 17-8 at the interval but just could not hold on in the dying minutes.

Ynysybwl remain in fifth spot and just a bonus point win off fourth place after they recorded a 27-12 home win over Caerleon. Centre Sean Ireland crossed twice and Joseph Williams also got an individual score for the Bwl with Dion Macintosh kicking all three conversions plus two penalties.

Senghenydd remain at the bottom despite putting on a brave fight at home against Abertillery BG. The 21-7 reverse means the Saints are nine points away from safety with six games to play.

In National One East Central, Ystrad Rhondda took the local bragging rights and their hosts Treorchy’s unbeaten league record with a 17-11 success. In a typical derby game the lead changed hands several times before Ystrad’s centre Ryan Howells got a late try to claim the win. Rhys Truelove also slotted four penalties for the visitors who are now 10 points off the table-topping Zebras with a game in hand. Treorchy did get the losing bonus point as Jacob Lloyd crossed the line for a five pointer and Jordan Lloyd kicked two penalties.

Dowlais have returned to form in recent weeks and that was again in evidence in the Heads of the Valleys as they claimed a bonus-point win over Cardiff Quins. The Dragons tenth league win consolidates their excellent fifth spot in the table after they only won promotion at the end of last season.

Porth Harlequins got a vital and well deserved win over Llanharan at the Welfare Ground as they begin to try and get away from the relegation zone. The Quins also grabbed a vital bonus point in the 31-6 success which means they are now clear of the drop zone.

Llantwit Fardre continue to battle away at the bottom but they still could not get anything from their visit to Heol Y Cyw. The Blues returned with a 27-5 loss which means if they lose at home to Rumney next weekend then they will be relegated to Division Two next season.

In National Two East Central, Llantrisant remain in second place after a very tight 10-8 win over Penarth at Cefn Mably. The Black Army are three points off leaders Dinas Powys but more importantly 10 points clear off third place St Peters in the race for the two promotion spots.

Aberdare remain fourth after claiming their ninth success of the season at home to Llanishen. The Snakes proved a little too strong for their Cardiff counterparts taking the spoils by 29-8.

In the all-Mid District club tie at Gilfach Goch the home team took the spoils by just a point from their battling Abercynon counterparts. The 13-12 win means Gilfach are up to sixth in the ladder whilst their visitors remain in tenth spot and three points above the relegation places with a game in hand over teams below them.

In National Three East Central A, Cambrian Welfare’s 100% league record is still intact but there were certainly given a tough encounter at Treharris. The Miners tight 12-5 win means they top the table by three points and have a game in hand over the chasing pack. The Phoenix stay fifth after only suffering their third loss of the league season.

Cilfynydd narrowed the gap on Cambrian’s lead at the top with a good 32-0 home win over Llandaff North. The bonus-point victory means they are in touching distance of their Rhondda rivals who they still have to play this season.

Abercwmboi stay third despite their clash with Taffs Well being postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Ynysowen’s revival continues as they shared the points with a tough Fairwater outfit in the Merthyr valley. The 9-9 draw means Ynys are ninth in the table and now two points above the drop zone.

Treherbert hit bottom spot after they were beaten 15-6 in the Rhondda by Llandaff. The Devils still have seven games to get out of the drop places and will hope to get something out of next week’s trip to Fairwater.

In Division Three East Central B, the title race was thrown wide open after Wattstown ended Cefn Coed’s fantastic 100% record in the Rhondda. The Ducks put on a hugely impressive performance to claim a 16-3 win. Cefn remain six points clear at the top whilst Wattstown stay fifth but if they win their games in hand could rise up to a good third spot.

Penygraig are the team that are chasing down the Wolves at the top and have a game in hand with that six-point deficit. They managed to close that gap after a very workmanlike 29-0 win away at St Albans.

Tylorstown and Cowbridge could not be separated after a tough 80 minutes of rugby and they share the points after a 2424 draw at Penryhs Park. The Tigers stay in fourth place in the table.

Tonyrefail made it three wins on the bounce with an excellent yet close 9-8 home win over third place Llantwit Major. The Rhondda club’s seventh win of the campaign helps them rise to a pleasing seventh place in the table and now just a win off fifth place.

In National Three East Central C, there is just no stopping Ferndale as they remarkably picked up their eleventh maximumpoints win of the season at home to Cathays. The Scarlet Bulldogs were in fine form recording the 61-0 win which sees them go 14 points clear at the top with a game in hand over second place Sully View. Third place Hirwaun’s game at Whitchurch was rained off.

Also off was Caerphilly’s big clash at Oakdale in National Three East A and the big top-of-thetable clash in National Three East C at Deri where Markham were the scheduled visitors.

WRU YOUTH CUP, PLATE & BOWL

IN the WRU National Youth Cup quarter-final Mountain Ash Youth gave a very good account of themselves before eventually going down 21-11 at home to fellow Blues BA league outfit Cowbridge.

There was better news in the Plate competition for Gilfach Goch Youth as they claimed a spot in the semi-finals with a tight 10-6 win over Pentyrch. There was disappointment though for the young Tigers of Tylorstown who lost out narrowly 10-8 at Llandaff.

In the Bowl tournament Treorchy were outstanding in a 41-0 win at Aberaeron to book a semi-final berth but there was huge disappointment for Ynysybwl who returned from the long journey to Llandovery with an agonising 5-3 defeat.

SCHOOLS RUGBY

IN the Dewar Shield, Rhondda Schools under15s are now the only unbeaten side in the competition after they beat the previously unbeaten Pembrokeshire Schools 33-5 in a great advert for schools rugby at Porth on Saturday morning. Rhondda now have a sixpoint advantage at the top of the table.

It wasn’t good news for Pontypridd Schools who, despite putting on a brave performance, returned from Llanelli Schools with a 24-0 defeat. Despite this reverse Ponty remain in seventh place.

In the Dewar Plate unbeaten leaders Cynon Valley Schools’ fixture at Neath was postponed due to a waterlogged field.

In the Dewar Bowl, Rhymney Schools remain at the top of the table after an exciting 17-15 victory over their Merthyr counterparts.

Pontypridd Schools Under-11s also enjoyed two good performances on the weekend against their Blaenau Gwent counterparts. The A team recorded a good 45-5 win whilst the B team scored 14 tries in a 74-5 victory.

WORTHINGTON MDRU CUP AND BOWL

THE draw for the semi-finals of both the Worthington MDRU Cup and Bowl have bee made.

In the Cup competition Brecon, who ousted Mountain Ash in the quarter-finals, will play against Bedlinog after the Championship side were awarded free passage into the semi-final draw.

The winner of the derby last-eight clash between Penallta and Nelson which takes place on Friday, March 17 in Ystrad Mynach will do battle with unbeaten Division One East Central leaders Treorchy in what should be an excellent tie.

In the Bowl tournament, the draw has seen a huge derby game pulled out with Cynon Valley rivals Aberdare and Abercwmboi going head to head. In the other semi-final it’s Division Three against Division Two as Penygraig face Llantrisant.

The dates and venues are to be announced in due course.

MID DISTRICT RUGBY UNION SECRETARY

CONGRATULATIONS to Roy Wilkinson of Porth Harlequins who has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Mid District Rugby Union.

Roy will continue his role with his local club and brings with him a wealth of experience in the game. He has chaired the Rhondda & East Glamorgan District Rugby Union competitions committee and is a member of the WRU 2nd XV working party group.

Roy replaces Jamie Willis who had to stand down for personal reasons.

RHONDDA & EAST GLAMORGAN CUP DATES

THE dates and venues of this season’s REGDRU Mel Davies and Keith Jones Cup finals have been released.

The Mel Davies Cup, which is being competed for by reigning champions Rhydyfelin and Caerphilly, will be held at Penygraig’s Graig Park on Wednesday, March 22.

Rhydyfelin’s Hawthorn Recreation Ground will then be the venue for the Keith Jones Cup final between Cambrian Welfare and Abercynon on Sunday, March 26.

WRU NATIONAL PLATE & BOWL

THE Welsh Rugby Union have confirmed the venues for the semi-finals of this season’s National Plate and Bowl.

Penallta will have to travel to Newtown and beat Division One North leaders Nant Conwy if they are to make yet another appearance at the Principality Stadium in a Plate final. The other semi-final in the Plate between Abercarn and Ystalyfera will take place at Llanharan.

The big all Mid District Bowl semi-final clash between Cilfynydd of Division Three East Central A and Caerphilly of Division Three East A Caerphilly will take place at Taffs Well. The winner of this fixture will play the victors of the Amman United versus Cardigan encounter which is to be played at Lampeter Town RFC.

Games are to be played on Saturday, March 25.

GLAMORGAN COUNTY SILVER BALL

THE first High Motive Silver Ball quarter-final takes place this evening (Wednesday, March 8) at Caerphilly RFC. It is arguably the clash of the round as unbeaten Division One East Central leaders Treorchy face 2014 tournament champions Penallta.