Crucial games as teams fight for promotion... and survival
MID DISTRICT RUGBY REVIEW
THERE were some huge fixtures involving playoffs, promotion and relegation for Mid District Clubs over the weekend, writes Jamie Willis.
Bargoed had arguably one of their biggest results since promotion to the Premiership as they came back from 19-0 at the Gnoll to beat Neath 36-29 in a real thrilling tier two fixture. A brace of tries from Callum Jones plus individual scores from David Evans, Ashley Norton and Josh Jacas gave the Rhymney Valley Club a bonus point which sees them jump up to sixth in the table with two games to play.
In the Championship, Bedlinog finished their league campaign with a home loss to Champions Pontypool. But again the Foxes gave their visitors a tough afternoon particularly in the first period which ended at 14-12 to Pooler. The second half was a little more dominated by the Gwent Club who ended taking the spoils by 31-12. It ended a solid first season in the Championship with a minimum of an eighth place finish now expected.
In National One West Central, Builth Wells now have to win their final three games to stand any chance of survival after they were beaten 17-9 away at Seven Sisters. Again the Bulls gave plenty of fight but it was not enough as they left the Neath Valley empty handed.
In National One East, Rhydyfelin now have one hand on the league title after they comfortably won their local derby with Ynysybwl by 44-6 at the Hawthorn Recreation ground. The leaders now only require one victory from their two final games to win through to a play-off to the National Championship for next season. Mark Tyler crossed for a hat-trick of tries, whilst there was two tries each for former Pontypridd prop Chris Phillips and Sam Studley.
Rhys Phillips also got over the whitewash with David Griffiths kicking two conversions. Dion Macintosh kicked two consolation penalties for Ynysybwl who will finish the season in a good fourth place.
Brecon warmed up for their Mid District Cup semi-final this week with a big 52-13 away win at Blaenavon. The midWales outfit claimed the bonus point victory and if they win their final fixture of the season should finish in a very good fifth spot.
Senghenydd lost heavily in their penultimate game of the season at a very good Risca outfit. The Gwent Club were too hot to handle as they overpowered the Saints by 66-14. Senghenydd have already been relegated to Division Two but their young squad will be keen to bounce back at the first attempt.
In Division One East Central, Dowlais did their very best to be party poopers at the Oval but were just edged out eventually by Champions Treorchy who were presented with their National league trophy by WRU Director Robert Butcher after the game.
The Zebras claimed their eighteenth success of a hugely impressive campaign with a 34-31 success. Dowlais have really been a great addition to Division One this season and are guaranteed to finish fifth in the table.
In the Rhondda derby at Gelligallad, it was second placed Ystrad Rhondda who took the spoils with a very tight 26-21 win over Porth Harlequins. A penalty try plus five pointers from Gerwyn Coleman, Aaron Clarke and Rhys Truelove gave Ystrad the bonus point whilst the losing bonus point for Porth could be huge in the relegation battle.
A bonus point win at Llantwit Fardre next week will guarantee their safety in the league. Ystrad are guaranteed runners up spot.
If Mountain Ash win their final two games at St Josephs and Ystrad Rhondda then they will end the season in a good third place. The Old Firm had a great escape from relegation last season and have shown significant improvement this season. This was again evident at Llantwit Fardre’s Central Park on the weekend as they came out on top with a big 54-22 score line. Mountain Ash stay in fourth spot whilst their hosts will finish bottom of the table after a very testing season.
In National Two East Central there would have been a big party at Llantrisant’s Cefn Mably base as they secured a return to Division One with a very tight 9-6 derby victory over Pontyclun.
The Black Army cannot be caught in second spot and they could even take the title if they beat Llanishen next week and the same opponents overcome leaders Dinas Powys a week later.
Dinas took a step closer to that title though as they proved to be a little too strong for Gilfach Goch in the capital. Gilfach remain in a solid sixth place despite suffering a 52-17 reverse.
It was Abercynon who took the spoils and bragging rights in their home Cynon Valley derby with Aberdare. Their excellent bonus point 31-0 win gives them a big chance of avoiding the drop into Division Three. They face a big home clash with fellow strugglers Pontyclun next week followed with an away fixture at CR Cymry Caerdydd where if they win both will save them from relegation.
Aberdare possibly had one eye on their Mid District Bowl semi-final on Tuesday against local neighbours Abercwmboi at the same venue but are guaranteed a sixth place finish in the league.
In National Three East Central A, Cambrian Welfare are just two wins away from taking the title after they won an entertaining fixture with Pentyrch at the Tump. The Miners 39-22 was their eighteenth consecutive win in an unbeaten league season which sees them lead the table by seven points with four games to play.
Despite a late winning penalty by Delme King for Cilfynydd they slip a place to third in the table. The Bumbles triumphed by 20-17 in a tense tie at Treharris. They still have a game in hand over second place Abercwmboi and are level on points but drop that place because the Cynon Valley Club have won more games than them this season.
Treharris stay in fifth place and the losing bonus point means they are now just six points off fourth place with two games in hand over Taffs Well who currently occupy that spot.
Abercwmboi were in ruthless mood at their Aberaman Park ground as they put Treherbert to the sword by 50-0. The Village really showed their hunger for promotion with a good display against the battling Devils.
The defeat for the Rhondda Club means they stay in the relegation spots but only on points difference.
Gwernyfed are the Club tied on points with Treherbert at the bottom and they suffered a heavy away day loss at Taffs Well.
The Cockerels left the East District Club pointless after suffering a 55-16 defeat but they still have games in hand over the teams around them.
Ynysowen will possibly have to win their final two games of the season to have any chance of avoiding relegation after they were beaten 51-8 away at Llandaff. The Merthyr Valley Club currently prop up the table and are three points adrift of safety with just them final fixtures to play.
In National Three East Central B, there are new leaders as Penygraig continued their fine form with a bonus point 36-5 home win over Old Penarthians. The Rhondda Valley side have already claimed promotion and are now in pole position for the title as they go five points clear of second place Cefn Coed who do have a vital game in hand.
Wattstown rose a place to fifth after they put on a fine home display against Caerau Ely. The Ducks recorded their eleventh victory from nineteen games with a full deserved 37-19 victory.
Tylorstown were winning 12-0 at St Albans after 45 minutes when their game was abandoned and will now have to play the fixture again. This abandonment mean they slip a place to sixth in the table.
In National Three East C, there would have been a few celebration drinks for the Deri Broncos as they claimed promotion with a 34-14 home win over third placed Newport Saracens. With three games to play Deri are equal on points and games played with Markham who they have to play in the Rhymney Valley before the season end.
WORTHINGTON MDRU CUP & BOWL
Llantrisant and Penygraig will battle it out tonight (Wednesday) for a place in this season’s Worthington MDRU Bowl final. Treorchy’s Oval ground will be the venue as two of the Mid District’s form Clubs go head to head in what should be another classic semi-final (7.15pm).
Llantrisant have been at the top end of Division Two East Central for the majority of the season and now seem odds on to return to Division One. They are involved in a straight fight with Dinas Powys to take the title and it will for sure go down to the final game of the season.
Penygraig currently occupy top spot in Division Three East Central B having won all bar two of their twenty league fixtures this season. Their last defeat came way back on October 1st so confidence is very high at the moment in the Rhondda Club.
The Black Army defeated Gilfach Goch (18-16) and Abercynon (27-19) on the road to the last four, whilst Graig were victors over local rivals Tonyrefail (33-16) and Wattstown (18-9). The winner of this clash will play the winners of last night’s Cynon Valley derby between Aberdare and Abercwmboi.
Then on Thursday evening Championship outfit Bedlinog and Division One East Club Brecon will go head to head for a place in the Worthington MDRU Cup final at Merthyr’s Wern ground (7.15pm).
Both teams have had a good season, Bedlinog enjoyed an excellent first part of the season after winning promotion from Division One last season and recently secured their place in the second tier of Welsh league rugby for another season. Brecon have been a real tough cookie to overcome this season and they have won eleven of their twenty one games so far to sit in a solid mid-table position in what is an extremely tight and difficult league.
The Foxes had the toughest of opening round games in this tournament as they had to overcome Cup holders Beddau which they did in a thriller coming out on top 28-24. They were then handed a walkover by Dowlais in round two. Brecon beat Senghenydd (21-13) and Mountain Ash (27-8) to reach the semi-final.
The winner of this clash will meet the victor of the Penallta versus Treorchy semi-final which takes place on Tuesday May 2nd at Penygraig.
REGDRU MEL DAVIES CUP FINAL
Rhydyfelin retained the Rhondda & East Glamorgan DRU Mel Davies Cup last night with a thrilling 34-16 win over Caerphilly at Penygraig.
In a tight first period Rhydyfelin edged the game as tries from Adam Reed, Dai Dwyer and Rhys Tovey plus a penalty and two conversions from Tovey game them a 22-16 lead.
The second period mirrored the first forty minutes but eventually Rhydyfelin again got on top and they scored further tries through Simon Thomas and Club stalwart Damien Spencer. Tovey added a further penalty.
Congratulations go out to Rhydyfelin on another fine success and a special well done to Caerphilly who have showed huge improvement in a short period to become one of the strongest teams in 2nd XV rugby in Mid District rugby.
The REGDRU Keith Jones Cup final between Abercynon and Cambrian Welfare will take place this coming Sunday April 23rd at Rhydyfelin with a 2.30pm kick off.