PERTHCELYN MAKE IT INTO 15TH CUP FINAL
THERE was some huge games for Mid District clubs over the weekend in the WRU National leagues
A late try by Newport prevented Bargoed claiming back-to-back wins in the Principality Premiership Tier Two section. It looked as if the Rhymney Valley outfit had done enough to earn the points through a try from Lewis Lippiat and two penalties from Matthew Lewis but the Black & Ambers struck at the death to put a huge dent in the Blues’ play-off hopes.
In Division One East, WRU National Plate winners Penallta were relentless as they saw off a depleted Ynysybwl by 83-7 at Ystrad Mynach. The Pitmen ran in no fewer than 13 tries to keep their outside chance of a league title still alive. They remain a big 17 points behind leaders Rhydyfelin with a possible 20 points to gain. The young Ynysybwl side finish the season in a solid fourth place despite the heavy loss.
Senghenydd also wrapped up their season but a battling display at home to Nantyglo was not enough to gain any points as they were beaten 26-14 by the Gwent club. The Saints were relegated a few weeks back into Division Two but can look forward to a bright future with some good young players coming through their set-up.
In Division One East Central, there was a real nail-biter of an affair at Central Park where Llantwit Fardre were denied only their third success of the campaign by a lastplay try from Porth Harlequins prop Liam Bodman. The try gave the Quins a vital win in their efforts to avoid the drop but as they did not gain the valuable bonus in the 23-20 win they have to wait on other results over the next two weeks to see where they will play their rugby next term. Llantwit will have been disappointed to have lost in this way but it is clear to see that they have the foundations to make a swift return to Division One next season.
Mountain Ash’s hopes of a top-three finish were dashed as they lost their penultimate game of the season 53-31 at Rumney. The Old Firm remain in a good fourth place though and five points behind third-placed Rhiwbina with one game to play against Ystrad Rhondda on Saturday. It has been a big turnaround season for Mountain Ash who only avoided relegation late in last term.
In Division Two East Central, Llantrisant moved to the top of the table after their final day 23-18 win at home to Llanishen. The Black Army are a single point clear of Dinas Powys and will be crowned Champions if the Cardiff club fail to win at Llanishen on Saturday. Llantrisant are already guaranteed Division One rugby again next season.
Abercynon guaranteed their safety in Division Two for another season after a tense 23-22 home win over Pontyclun which sent their visitors down to Division Three. This was the Cynon Valley club’s third win on the bounce and now they too can look forward to next season with a lot more confidence.
In Division Three East Central A, Cambrian Welfare will be crowned champions if they beat Fairwater at the Tump on Wednesday evening after they took a 36-25 bonuspoint win away at Llandaff North on the weekend. The Miners, who were promoted with this win, are seven points clear at the top with three games to play and are yet to lose in league rugby this season.
Cilfynydd are the only club who can beat Cambrian to the title and they were in fine form on Saturday as they put Ynysowen to the sword by 70-17 at the Welfare Ground. The Pontypridd club are now five points clear of Abercwmboi in the race for the second runners-up spot. Unfortunately this defeat for Ynysowen means they will slip down a league next season.
Fifth-placed Treharris were leading Cardiff Club Fairwater 32-14 when the game was abandoned on 73 minutes.
Treherbert recorded an excellent 23-21 win over fourth-placed Taffs Well in the Rhondda to keep their chances of league safety alive.
The Devils are a point above the drop places and will be desperate to get some points out of their final game at Treharris on May 3.
In Division Three East B, leaders Penygraig kept their five-point advantage at the top of the table thanks to a big 42-21 win over Canton at Graig Park. The Rhondda club have already guaranteed promotion next season and will be crowned league champions if they can win at second-placed Cefn Coed next weekend.
Cefn will certainly be prepared to stop that happening and know a win against the Rhondda club could give them the crown. They warmed up for the big game with a 35-16 bonus-point win in the Merthyr Valley against Caerau Ely.
Tylorstown jumped back up to fourth place with a solid 24-10 win over Canton at Penrhys Park. The Tigers have two games to play and will be keen to finish the season in what will be a good fourth place position.
Tonyrefail came out on top in the Rhondda derby against Wattstown at Parklands thanks to an excellent second-half comeback. The very tight 30-29 success sees the home team jump up to eighth place in the ladder whilst the Ducks drop down to sixth position but still could finish as high as fourth.
In Division Three East Central C, champions Ferndale kept up their amazing record for the season of a bonus point in every one of their 14 games by beating Llanrumney 40-12 in the capital. The Rhondda club will be joined in a higher league next season by fellow Mid District club Hirwaun who guaranteed second spot and promotion with a very tight 26-24 win away at Whitchurch.
In Division Three East A, Caerphilly’s title hopes were dented as they were beaten 22-20 at home to league leaders Hartridge. The Cheesemen still know though that if they win their five remaining games then it should be enough to take the title and promotion into Division Two.
In Division Three East C, Deri continued their push for the title with a workmanlike 33-23 win at Trinant. The Broncos remain in second place but level on points with leaders Markham who have to make the trip to Deri before the season end.
WORTHINGTON MID DISTRICT CUP & BOWL
BEDLINOG booked their place in the final of this season’s Worthington MDRU Cup after beating Brecon last Thursday at Merthyr.
The Foxes were on top for most of the first period and built up a solid 29-7 half-time lead. But Brecon certainly had no intention of giving in and won the second half on points with a good battling display.
The final score though of 32-19 means that Bedlinog will now go on to meet the winner of the Penallta v Treorchy fixture which takes place at Penygraig on May 2 in this year’s Cup final.
Aberdare put on a huge second-half comeback last Tuesday to book their place in this season’s Worthington MDRU Bowl final.
The Snakes were trailing Abercwmboi 27-10 well into the second half but simply would not throw in the towel and brought the score back to 27-27 into injury-time. In the final play of the game the Village gave away a penalty which Aberdare converted to take the spoils and the bragging rights with a 30-27 victory.
Aberdare will now meet Llantrisant in the final after the Black Army beat Penygraig 31-0 at Treorchy last Wednesday.
The scoreline did not reflect the efforts of the Rhondda Club who battled throughout and caused their higher placed opposition several problems.
The final should be a cracker as both clubs have had good seasons in Division Two East Central where the games between both teams have been very close affairs.
The final was originally scheduled to be played at Sardis Road on Wednesday, May 10 but this is now subject to change.
MID DISTRICT XV
A MID District Rugby Union XV will take on their East District counterparts in a representative fixture at Ystrad Mynach tonight (Wednesday, April 26).
The game between the two District areas is hopefully going to become a regular fixture as interest in the return of inter-District rugby grows. Kick-off is 7.15pm.
HIGH MOTIVE GLAMORGAN COUNTY SILVER BALL
THE final semi-final of this season’s Silver Ball was due to take place tonight (Wednesday, April 26) at Llanharan between Mid District clubs Caerphilly and Rhydyfelin.
However, Caerphilly have withdrawn from the semi-final match and therefore Rhydyfelin will now meet Tondu in the final at Aberavon on May 20.
Rhydyfelin have had a fantastic season and are on the brink of Division One East league glory and a place in a play-off to reach Championship rugby.
REGDRU KEITH JONES CUP FINAL
ABERCYNON won the Rhondda & East Glamorgan DRU Keith Jones Cup final in an entertaining fixture with Cambrian Welfare at Rhydyfelin on Sunday.
It looked like it was going to be a hard afternoon for the Cynon Valley club when Cambrian’s forwards showed their muscle to pile over for an unconverted try in the opening moments. But that was short lived as Cynon scored two excellent tries from some good freeflowing rugby.
With the half-time score at 12-5 the game was still in the balance but it was Abercynon who extended their lead with a penalty before the Rhondda club grabbed a converted try to bring the game back to 1512. A further penalty for Abercynon extended their lead before a long period of pressure resulted in a third Cambrian try as they took the lead. But again this was for a short spell as Abercynon again spread the ball to grab what was the all-important try. Despite a huge amount of late pressure from the Miners they could not breach the Abercynon try line and the referee blew up for a 22-20 final score.
The final REGDRU Cup final will be the Ivor Williams Cup final between Brecon and Penallta. The date and venue for this game is yet to be confirmed.
TAFF RHONDDA YOUTH DRU
PENYGRAIG were victorious in the Taff Rhondda YDRU Plate final against local rivals Ystrad Rhondda at Porth Harlequins on Saturday. THE young Graig outfit took the crown with a final score of 20-0.
The Taff Rhondda YDRU Merit table final between neighbours Pontypridd and Rhydyfelin will take place this evening (Wednesday, April 26) at Penygraig RFC with a 7.15pm kick-off.