MID DISTRICT RUGBY REVIEW

THE late morning, early afternoon heavy rainfall did not stop most of the scheduled rugby in the Mid District being played on Saturday,

In the Principality Premiership East Division, Pontypridd moved up to second place in the table with a solid 26-12 win over a dogged Cross Keys at Sardis Road. Man of the match Morgan Sieniawski, Rhys Shellard and Diggy Bird crossed for Ponty’s tries with the latter also slotting two penalties and a conversion. Ceri Sweeney also kicked a late penalty for the Valley Commandos.

Merthyr were made to battle hard for the points at Eugene Cross Park but tries from Ed Siggery and Harri Millard plus the awarding of a penalty try and 18 points from the prolific Matthew Jarvis gave them a deserved 33-20 success over Ebbw Vale. The Ironmen now occupy fourth spot in the table after what was their third win of the campaign.

Bargoed are up to fifth in the table after arguably their biggest result since they were promoted to the Principality Premiership. The Blues put on an outstanding display at Rodney Parade to record a bonus-point 35-14 over hosts Newport. Skipper Rhys Morgan, Jordan Howells, James Pizey and Ieuan Jones all crossed for tries for the Rhymney Valley club with full back Matthew Lewis slotting three conversions and three penalties.

In the WRU National Championship, Beddau slipped down to fourth after suffering only their second loss of the new season at Tata Steel. The Green and Golds scored two tries through backs Adam Ashford and Cody Baker with Hywel Chatham kicking a conversion and a penalty but it was not enough to prevent the Steelmen leapfrogging them in the table.

A slightly depleted Bedlinog left Skewen with just a losing bonus point after putting up a battling display. The Foxes had the chances to take all the points but in the end, were just pipped 23-22 which means they slip down to tenth. They will be looking for their second triumph of the season at home to a good Narberth outfit next weekend.

Rhydyfelin were once again involved in a hugely entertaining tie but could not prevent fellow newly promoted outfit Trebanos taking all five points at the Hawthorn Recreation Ground. Jordan Rees, Gavin Close and Macauley Griffiths all crossed for tries for the Village with full back Dai Gatton adding a conversion and a penalty in the 31-20 reverse. The Pontypridd club may be at the basement of the table at present but they will certainly claim some scalps this season based on early performances.

The big game of the weekend was arguably at Brynmawr in Division One East where fellow unbeaten club Brecon were the visitors. In an extremely tough and tight encounter the Gwent club came out on top by 2315 to go clear at the top. Outside half Dean Gunter kicked all 15 points for Brecon who slip down to third after this first defeat.

Penallta overtook the Mid Wales club in second place after a real close 16-9 win away at a good Blaenavon outfit. Elliot Keep got the only try of the game for the Pitmen who also remain with a 100% record for the season.

Nelson stay in a good fourth spot after they beat Caerleon 32-28 away from home in a thriller. This third win of the season was hard fought for and means they are now just six points off second place in the table.

Ynysybwl were in top form as they ran in six tries in a 46-13 win over Abertillery BG at the Recreation Ground. This was a good all-round performance from the Bwl which consolidates their mid-table position.

Dowlais finally got their first win of the campaign but were made to fight to the wire at Klondyke by a battling Pontypool United. The Heads of the Valleys club took the spoils with an 11-5 final scoreline which keeps them still in the bottom two but just a win off mid-table.

In Division One East Central there seems to be no stopping champions Treorchy as Rumney became the latest club to feel their force at the Oval. The Zebras cruised to a bonus point 52-0 win which sees them build up a four-point lead at the top of the table.

Ystrad Rhondda moved up to second place in the table but had to thank Rhys Truelove for a lastminute penalty to record a 16-14 win over a well organised Rhiwbina outfit. The Rhondda club looked as if they were going to finish with just a losing bonus point before Truelove slotted the vital three points to go with tries from Jarrad Llewellyn and Ben Langford plus an earlier penalty from the pivot.

Llantrisant came out on top in their big local derby with Llanharan at Cefn Mably. The Black Army overtook their visitors in the table with a well-deserved 28-13 win and will be keen to make it a double home success when Penarth visit this weekend in the WRU Plate.

Mountain Ash had a bad day at the office as they returned from Glamorgan Wanderers with a 52-7 loss. This defeat means that the Old Firm slip into ninth place but they will get a chance to bounce back next weekend when they face another trip to the capital this time to meet Cardiff Quins in the Plate.

The Heol Y Cyw versus Porth Harlequins fixture was postponed due to a waterlogged field so both teams remain in the bottom two of the table.

In Division Two East, Caerphilly jumped up to fourth with a 38-13 bonus point win over Abercarn at the Constructaquote Stadium. Tom Candy and Conor Kawulok both grabbed try braces for the Cheesemen with Matthew Hurley and player-coach Matthew Nuttall also crossing the whitewash.

Senghenydd were not as fortunate though as they came out on the wrong end of a 17-0 score at home to a very good Hartridge side. The young Saints team worked hard throughout but could not take anything from the game which means they remain in mid-table.

In Division Two East Central, leaders Gilfach Goch’s game at Barry was postponed so Aberdare took full advantage and reclaimed the top spot after an entertaining 3729 win at the Ynys over Cardiff Quins. The Snakes also took a try-scoring bonus point in the win to go three points clear at the summit.

Cilfynydd also jumped up the table after a real tight 15-13 win at Llanishen. The Bumbles put on an excellent secondhalf display to ensure they took the points. Regan Prior got Cilfynydd’s only try with Sion Griffiths kicking the extras in what was their fourth win in five games.

Abercynon returned from St Peters with a very good 24-18 win which sees them move up to eighth in the table. This result will give the Cynon Valley club plenty of confidence before Saturday’s tough away WRU Plate game with Cambrian Welfare.

Llantwit Fardre finally got the win that their performances had perhaps deserved this season when they beat fellow Mid District outfit Cambrian Welfare 10-5 at Central Park. Scott Burrows and Luke Benjamin crossed for the Blues who fought off a late flurry from the Rhondda club to earn the points. Despite this win, Llantwit stay in the bottom two whilst Cambrian remain in mid-table after earning a losing bonus point.

The Division Two West Central between Maesteg Celtic and Builth Wells was postponed due to a waterlogged field.

In Division Three East Central A, Abercwmboi are now the only team with a 100% record in this league after they recorded an impressive 28-17 win at previously unbeaten Pentyrch. The Village are now up to fourth and just four points off top spot with a game in hand.

The team at the top of the table is Taffs Well but their colours were lowered for the first time at Penygraig this weekend. The Rhondda club edged the game by 27-24 but strangely drop a place to fifth in the table but are also just four points off the top.

Cefn Coed recorded their second league win in three league games with a solid 18-12 home win over a hard-working Llandaff North team. The Wolves have shown in their opening games that they will certainly be a test for teams after promotion at the end of last season.

Gwernyfed put on a hugely improved performance away at Pontyclun but left the Windsor Fields empty handed after suffering an 18-8 defeat. The Cockerels can take plenty of positives from the game as they prepare for their second round WRU Bowl game with Whiteheads on Saturday.

Treharris are still looking for their first points of the season but gave a hugely encouraging display in the capital against Fairwater. The Phoenix were perhaps a little unlucky not to take a losing bonus point in the 19-10 defeat which leaves them at the basement of the division table.

It was a hugely emotional afternoon at Deri as they put on a brave performance to go top of Division Three East B. The Broncos were made to fight for the points though by a determined Llanhilleth outfit who they eventually wore down to record a 21-10 win.

In Division Three East Central B, Treherbert finished September in style with a big 46-19 bonus point victory at Canton. The Devils end the month with a 100% league record and top the table with a two-point cushion.

Another club who have had an excellent September and one of their best starts for several seasons is Tonyrefail. The Rhondda club go into October full of positives after a 28-5 win over Ynysowen at Parklands. This win takes Tonyrefail up to fourth place and just four points off leaders Treherbert who are the only team to have beaten them in the league this season. Ynysowen slip down a place to fifth in the table in what was their first defeat of what has also been a very good start to the new campaign.

Tylorstown were overtaken by their hosts Llantwit Major after they were beaten 12-3 down in the Vale in what was a very tough fixture. The Tigers are still in a good sixth spot after the opening four weekends of league rugby.

Ferndale also move slightly down the early season table after they returned from Old Penarthians empty handed. The Rhondda club just missed out on a bonus point in the 20-12 loss.

Wattstown also suffered a defeat in the capital as Caerau Ely proved a little bit stronger to claim a 3812 win.

The Ducks will look to quickly bounce back from this defeat when they welcome fellow league team Fairwater to the Rhondda in the WRU Bowl this Saturday.

Hirwaun gave a very good account of themselves at home to unbeaten Cowbridge but they could not prevent their visitors from taking the points and keeping their 100% record in a 27-16 final score.

The Cynon Valley club slip to the bottom of the table but are another club who will pose problems for top teams this season after gaining promotion last season.

In Division Three East Central C, Glyncoch made it four wins from four after they earned a welldeserved 39-0 win at Cathays.

The Ferns are now four points clear at the top of the table from Llanrumney who are the only other side with a 100% record in the league this season.