MID DISTRICT RUGBY REVIEW
DESPITE it being a Six Nations weekend there was still a big schedule of fixtures for Mid District Clubs,
In the Principality Premiership there was just one game and that was at Pandy Park where Cross Keys recorded their fourth tier two win on the bounce with a 22-0 success over Mid District club Bargoed. Former Bargoed pivot Josh Prosser kicked seven of the Keys points.
In the National Championship Beddau moved joint on points with third place Tata Steel despite losing out to a reinforced Newbridge by 28-24 at the Welfare Ground. James Cashin, Adam Ashford, Callum Wheeler and Andrew Evans crossed for the Green and Golds to get the try-scoring bonus point with Hywel Chatham kicking two conversions.
Bedlinog slipped to sixth place in the league after they were beaten 25-21 at Skewen who jump over them in the league ladder. The Foxes lead 21-3 at the interval but could not hold on to this big lead as the West Walians put on a big second half comeback to take the points.
In National One East, Rhydyfelin hold a seven-point cushion at the top of the table with five games to go after winning a very tough tie at Blaenavon. Winger Jordon Rees scored two tries and Luke Studley also crossed for the Taff-Ely club with full back Dai Gratton kicking two penalties and two conversions in the 25-18 victory.
Both Nelson and Penallta keep battling away in second and third spot respectively hoping that Rhydyfelin will slip up. Both teams enjoyed good bonus-point wins over the weekend. The Unicorns took the maximum points from a home 33-3 win over fellow Mid District club Senghenydd whilst the Pitmen scored seven tries through Lloyd Rowlands (2), Seb Toms, Corey Tucker, Bleddyn Corns, Elliott Keep and Jonny Wright in their 4715 success over Brecon at Ystrad Mynach. Brecon slip a place in the table to sixth whilst Senghenydd remain at the basement and 10 points adrift of safety with five games also to play.
Ynysybwl were once again involved in an entertaining affair and will be disappointed to have returned from Abertillery BG with just two bonus points after they were beaten 31-26. Despite the reverse the Bwl are still in a solid fourth place.
In National One East Central, Treorchy bounced back from their first loss of the league season last week with a bonus-point 34-17 win at Llanharan. Corey Dunn, Lloyd Williams, Peter Hutchings and Owen Williams got the all-important tries for the Zebras with fly half Jordon Lloyd finishing the game with a personal haul of 14 points from the boot. Treorchy remain 10 points clear at the top of the table with just four games to play.
Their big rivals Ystrad Rhondda show no sign of giving up on their late title charge as they too recorded a bonus-point win this weekend over Rhiwbina at Gelligallad. The Rhondda boys’ four tries came from Aaron Clarke, Ashley John, Dano Roberts and Mazin Al-Azzawi in the 26-0 win.
In the all Mid District club affair at Parc Dyffryn Pennar, it was the visitors who took the spoils with a 20-6 win over Mountain Ash. The Heads of the Valleys outfit remain in fifth place in the table but are just four points off the Old Firm who stay in a good fourth place.
In the big clash at the bottom of the table it was Porth Harlequins who returned from Cardiff Quins with a hugely important 20-10 win. The win sees the Rhondda club go 13 points clear of the relegation places and leave their hosts in big problems despite them having games in hand.
Battling Llantwit Fardre will not give up on relegation and will probably wish they could play Rumney every weekend as they recorded their second win of the campaign which was a double over the Riversiders. The Blues 22-20 win means they still have an outside chance of avoiding relegation but they have to win every one of their four games with the hope that Heol Y Cyw will not win any more of their five games.
In Division Two East Central, Llantrisant were the victors in the big topof-the-table clash at Dinas Powys. The Black Army’s deserved 17-12 win sees them go top of the table but still joint on points with Dinas.
Aberdare continued what has been a memorable first season in Division Two with a good bonus point win at Penarth. The Snakes took the points with a 34-31 win over the Seasiders which sees them consolidate fourth position but now just three points off third spot.
Abercynon slipped into the relegation zone after they were beaten 32-7 at home to a well drilled St Peters outfit. Cynon are just a solitary point away from getting out of the danger area and do have games in hand as they look to fight for survival.
Gilfach Goch’s game in Barry was postponed.
In National Three East Central A, it was win number 15 from 15 in the league season for leaders Cambrian Welfare as they put Mid District outfit Gwernyfed to the sword by 62-5 at the Tump. The Miners are now six points clear at the top after second-placed Cilfynydd were beaten in midweek by third-placed Abercwmboi. This heavy loss for the Cockerels mean they go back to the basement of the table but have a large amount of games still to play.
Ynysowen travelled down the A470 to Taffs Well and found their hosts in good form. Despite a battling performance Ynys could not return home with any points as they were defeated 4114 by their fourth-placed hosts.
Treherbert gave another hard working performance but again only had a point for their efforts as they were beaten 18-14 in the capital by Fairwater. The Devils remain in the relegation places but are just a single win off midtable which shows how tight the lower part of this league remains going into the final stages of the season.
The Llandaff vTreharris game was postponed.
In National Three East Central B, leaders Cefn Coed responded to their first loss of the season with a hard fought 16-5 home win over fellow Mid District club Tylorstown. The Wolves’ 15th win of the campaign means they are now five points clear at the top of the table, whilst the Tigers slip down to sixth place but still with six games to play.
Penygraig are really putting the pressure on Cefn Coed and showed they want the title after recording a 47-3 win over Caerau Ely at Graig Park. The Rhondda club could go joint top on Friday if they can get the bonus-point win at home to Canton in a re-arranged fixture.
Wattstown continued their good recent form and moved up to fourth in the table with a 17-12 home success over Cardiff Saracens. If the Ducks win their three games in hand then they will jump up to an excellent third place in the table.
Tonyrefail’s mini run of wins came to an end as they were beaten 4229 at Canton in a hugely entertaining fixture. The Rhondda club slip a place to eighth but are still just seven points of fourth in the table.
Arguably one of the games of the day was at Hirwaun in National Division Three East Central C as they entertained unbeaten leaders Ferndale. Both sides recorded bonus points but it was the visitors who kept up their impressive 100% record with the slimmest of wins by 31-30. The Rhondda club’s amazing 12th consecutive maximum points win means they are now a massive 18 points clear at the top. As for Hirwaun the two points they pick up means they stay third but seven points off second spot with two games in hand.
In National Three East A, Caerphilly were in rampant form as they dispatched of lowly New Tredeger by 87-7 at the constructaquote Stadium. Tom Candy was in fantastic form crossing for four tries for the Cheesemen with Josh Williams, Conor Kawulok, Chris Thomas, Gary Davies and Josh Hayward also amongst the try scorers. Caerphilly stay in fourth spot but just nine points off top spot with three games in hand over the top teams.
In National Three East Central C, Deri are now just eight points off the top with a vital two games in hand after they hammered Pontllanfraith 68-0 away from home. The Broncos 10th win of the campaign keeps them in third spot but they are now certainly in the title chase.
WORTHINGTON MID DISTRICT CUP
THE final Worthington MDRU Cup quarter-final tie between Penallta and Nelson will take place on Friday evening at Ystrad Mynach with a 7.30pm kick-off.
The winner of this big derby fixture will meet Treorchy in the semi-finals.
The dates and venues for the semi-finals of both the Worthington MDRU Cup and Bowl will be announced next week.