MID DISTRICT RUGBY REVIEW

TWO Mid District clubs claimed league titles on Saturday in what was an entertaining weekend of rugby,

Rhydyfelin were crowned WRU National Division One East champions after putting on a fine display against Nantyglo at the Hawthorn Recreation Ground. There were hat-tricks for Luke Waygood and Jordon Rees, plus efforts from Fforest Quirke (2), Sam Studley, Scott Prtichard, Lewis Smith, and Chris Tottle in the 74-7 win. Full back David Gratton also weighed in with seven conversions.

Penallta narrowed the gap on second placed Nelson to just two points with a game in hand after they ran in eight tries in a 5621 success at Abertillery BG. It now looks as if the runners-up spot behind champions Rhydyfelin will be decided when the Pitmen travel to Nelson on May 13.

Penygraig were the victors in the big game in National Division Three East Central B fixture at Cefn Coed. The Rhondda club’s fine 28-14 win means that Cefn can now not catch them at the top of the table and they will go into a higher league as champions. The Merthyr club have one game to play at home to St Albans next weekend but can be proud of their achievements this season and look forward to the promotion which they are guaranteed.

Tonyrefail could not get their ninth win of the season as they were beaten by a well-drilled Old Penarthians side at Parkalnds. The 34-22 reverse means that the highest the Rhondda club can finish in the table is eighth which is a huge improvement on last season’s showing.

In the Principality Premiership, Pontypridd will now contest a winnertakes-all fixture to reach the play-offs next weekend with RGC 1404 after they were pipped 30-27 at Bedwas. The Valley Commandos fell just short of taking two bonus points as they scored three tries in total through centres Garyn Smith and Gary Williams plus an effort from Ceri Sweeny. Former Wales pivot Sweeney also kicked three conversions and two penalties but it was just not enough to prevent Bedwas claiming the points.

Merthyr confirmed their place in the play-offs and hold on to top place in the table at present after a thrilling 34-23 win over Aberavon at the Wern. The Ironmen’s front row had a day not to forget as they claimed all the four tries. Gary Powell grabbed a double whilst hooker Rhys Williams and prop Nathan Trevett also got over the tryline. Matthew Jarvis had another fine afternoon with the boot kicking all four conversions plus two penalties.

Bargoed’s hopes of a play-off place are over despite claiming a bonus point in their tier two 4226 defeat to Bridgend at Ystrad Mynach. Rhys Morgan, Callum Jones, Bryce Morgan and a penalty try got the try bonus point for the Blues who now finish their campaign at home to Cardiff next weekend.

In Division One East Central, Ystrad Rhondda finished their season with a tight 20-7 win over fellow Mid District club Mountain Ash at Gelligaled. The Rhondda club once again finished as runners-up in the league after just three losses all season. It was also the Old Firm’s final game of the term and they can look back on a huge improvement in playing performance and be happy with a good fourthplace finish.

Porth Harlequins were guaranteed their place again in this league after a late penalty by Rumney at Cardiff Quins means that they cannot now be caught on points by the Quins or Heol Y Cyw.

In National Two East Central, Llantrisant were agonisingly beaten to the title on the final Saturday by Dinas Powys who managed a 3-3 draw at Llanishen to take the title by a solitary point. The Black Army though can still look forward to promotion to Division One East Central next season.

Aberdare concluded their season with a tight 21-19 home loss to a good Barry outfit. The Snakes have enjoyed a good first season in Division Two after promotion and will finish their campaign in a very good fifth position.

Abercynon who ensured survival in this league last weekend almost grabbed another good win at CR Cymry Caerdydd but in the end left with just a bonus point in an extremely tight 17-16 defeat. The Cynon Valley club will certainly be hoping to start next season the way they have ended it with some real big performances.

In National Three East Central A, Cambrian Welfare were presented with their championship trophy after putting on yet another fine display in front of their home support. The Miners recorded their 21st consecutive win of the season and clocked up a huge 100 league points for the season in the 45-17 beating of Taffs Well.

The Rhondda club will finish off their season at Cilfynydd next weekend and could prevent the Bumbles joining them in Division Two next season. The Taff-Ely club only need a solitary point for promotion from that game after a brace of tries from Rhys King plus individual efforts from captain Jon Elley and Lee Griffiths plus two Delme King conversions gave them a 2419 win at Pentyrch.

Abercwmboi will be hoping that Cambrian stop Cilfynydd as they currently hold that second promotion place after a big 43-10 bonus-point win over Llandaff North. The Village will go up if Cilfynydd do not get any points due to the fact that they have won just one more game this season.

Treharris are guaranteed a brilliant top-four finish after claiming a good 35-12 home bonuspoint win over Llandaff. The Phoenix still have two games to play but can look back on a very good season whatever happens in those games.

In National Division Three East A, Caerphilly face a big 10 days in which if they are successful in all four games could see the title and promotion heading to the Constructaquote Stadium. The Cheesemen currently occupy third spot in the table and are seven points adrift of leaders Hartridge but with two games in hand. They showed they were up for the challenge on Saturday as they put Fleur-de-Lys to the sword in a bonus-point 42-18 win.

In National Division Three East Central C, Deri moved to the top of the table after a big 64-5 home win over Forgeside. The Broncos are now five points ahead of Markham at the top of the table and know if they beat them at home next Saturday then they will become league Champions.

DIVISION ONE PLAY-OFF

THE first leg of the Division One champions playoff will take place this coming Saturday as newly crowned Division One East champions Rhydyfelin entertain Treorchy, who won the Division One East Central title, at their Hawthorn Recreation Ground.

The second leg of the game will be played at the Oval seven days later. The winner on aggregate score in these games will be promoted to the National Championship for the 2017/18 season.

WILLIAMS CUP FINAL

THE final of the Rhondda & East Glamorgan DRU Ivor Williams Cup will be played tomorrow (Thursday, May 4).

The game between Brecon and Penallta will be hosted by Dowlais RFC and will kick-off at 7.30pm. Brecon ousted a good Ystrad Rhondda outfit in the semi-final whilst the Pitmen knocked out reigning champions and local rivals Bargoed in the last four.

SCHOOLS RUGBY

CONGRATULATIONS to Cynon Valley Schools under 15s who have reached the final of the Dewar Plate.

The schoolboys were in fine form as they beat their counterparts from Carmarthen 39-12 at the Gnoll, Neath to book their place in the final against Swansea Valley at Parc Y Scarlets on May 13.

Rhondda Schools under 15s finished their Dewar Shield regular season with a 100% record after a 33-0 win over the Vale of Glamorgan Schools. Rhondda had already qualified for the semi-finals but are now guaranteed the top seeding in the draw. They await the winner of next Saturday’s play-off games to see who they will meet in that semi-final which is expected to be played on Tuesday, May 9.

MID DISTRICT XV

A MID District XV came out on top of a hugely entertaining Inter-District fixture with an East District XV at Ystrad Mynach last Wednesday.

There was plenty of tries as both teams made the effort to play the game at speed and with plenty of width.

The Mid District were first on the scoreboard after a very tight opening when captain Robert Downes (Porth Harlequins) came out underneath of an excellent forward move. It was only a short lived lead though as pressure from the East District on the Mid’s tryline resulted in an unconverted try for their lively scrum half.

The try sparked the Mid District back into life and they put lots of pressure on their visitors for the last few minutes of the first period which resulted in good tries for Shay Smallman (Gilfach Goch) and James Cowdrey (Mountain Ash) with Josh Moscardini (Bargoed) kicking both conversions for a 19-5 half-time lead.

The Cardiff and Vale District were first on the scoreboard in the second period with a very good converted score by their outside half before a try from Anthony Lotte (Bargoed) which was converted by Moscardini ensured a return to a 14-point lead.

There was some good play by both teams in the last 20 minutes of the game with the East District coming back into the game with an excellent team try before the Mid finished the game off with a well worked forward try for Ben Stephens (Beddau).

In the final play of the evening Martin Luckwell (Bedlinog) deservedly got an excellent score which was converted by Moscardini which resulted in a 38-17 win for the Mid District.

This was a great advert for Inter-District rugby and there was a refreshing feeling afterwards that these games could become a regular occurrence if there can be room found in a busy rugby calendar.

BLUES CUP FINAL

THE final of this season’s Blues Cup and Plate will take place on Sunday, May 7 at the BT Cardiff Arms Park.

There is an actionpacked day of junior rugby in store with several Mid District clubs involved.

In the under 12s cup final there will be an allMid-District affair as Treorchy take on Llantwit Fardre.

In the under 13s tournament, Ystrad Rhondda will be hoping to beat Pentyrch to pick up the Plate, whilst Aberdare and Pontypridd will battle it out for the Cup.

In the under 14s section, Treorchy could make it a memorable afternoon if they overcome Pontyclun in the Cup, whilst Cefn Coed will be hoping to lower the colours of Llandaff North.

The full schedule of fixtures: 10am – Under 12s Plate final – Pentyrch v Rumney; 11.15am – Under 12s Cup final – Treorchy v Llantwit Fardre; 12.30pm – Under 13s Plate final – Ystrad Rhondda v Pentyrch; 1.45pm – Under 13s Cup final – Aberdare v Pontypridd; 3pm – Under 14s Plate final – Cefn Coed v Llandaff North; 4.15pm – Under 14s Cup final – Treorchy v Pontyclun.

YOUTH CUP FINALS

PONTYPRIDD were the victors in last Wednesday’s Taff Rhondda YDRU Merit table final against Rhydyfelin at Penygraig.

A good crowd gathered at Graig Park to watch a hugely entertaining, yet tight, fixture.

Both teams scored wellworked tries but in the end the experience of the Pontypridd squad showed as they claimed the trophy with a 23-13 success.

Congratulations go out to Pontypridd on their victory and well done also to Rhydyfelin who battled well throughout and can now look forward to yet another final this coming Saturday (May 6) when they face off against Treorchy in the Taff Rhondda YDRU Knock-out Cup final again at Penygraig (2.30pm).

Also on Saturday, the Heart of Wales YDRU Cup final will be contested at the Wern, Merthyr where Brecon and Mountain Ash will be hoping to end the season with some silverware. This game also kicks off at 2.30pm.