Merthyr Tydfil AFL
Everson Sports Centenary Cup Semi Final Merthyr Saints 5-0 Georgetown BGC: Nathan Powell and Leon Pugh gave Saints the best possible start with two early goals, they added a third through Jack Fitzgerald in first half stoppage time and they had a comfortable lead at the break. Georgetown tried to rally in the second half but an Ian Cleary goal on 71 minutes sealed the victory and a fifth from Conor John on 88 minutes was the icing on the cake. Saints move on to meet Pant in the final at Penydarren Park. Everson Sports Centenary Cup Final Merthyr Saints 4-1 Pantyscallog VJ: Saints took early control in this final and an opportunist goal from Andrew Evans with a 35 yard lob of the Pant keeper gave them the lead. Three minutes later, after a mix up in the Pant defence Charlie Loss made it 2-0 and there was now a mountain to climb for Pant. Pant then grew into the game and had enough chances to at least score the goals they needed to draw even but their finishing left a lot to be desired. The second half saw Pant get back into the game and Connor Eynon scored a 67th minute penalty. Pant pressed for an equaliser and were exposed at the back and Saints took advantage with a Gabrielle Viazzani goal quickly followed with Charlie Loss getting his second and Saints fourth. Saints have now done the cup double for the season.
Bernard Mack Memorial Cup Semi Finals. Bedlinog FC 2-0 Aberfan Rangers: This was a hard fought game but with an early goal from Evan Madden Bedlinog held the upper hand and took that lead into the interval. The second half saw Rangers push for an equaliser but Bedlinog also knew that another goal would ease the pressure. Several substitutions couldn’t change things and in stoppage time Rhys Williams converted a penalty and Bedlinog were in the final. Black Lion FC 4-0 Baili Glas: Baili gave all they had in this game but the Black were just too strong, Jordan Grindall opened the scoring after 13 minutes and Tariq Rees added a second four minutes later. Ben Mabbitt added a third before the break and the tie looked over. Baili made some substitutions in the second half in an effort to rescue the tie but it was to no avail and a Lloyd Martin free kick made it 4-0 on 58 minutes. Saturday/Sunday Juniors CYNON/RHONDDA/MERTHYR JFL UNDER 12 SILVER DIVISION. Ynyshir & Wattstown 2-4 Heolgerrig Red Lion CYNON/RHONDDA/MERTHYR JFL UNDER 13 DIVISION. Penydarren BGC 4-4 Treharris Ath Western
CYNON/RHONDDA/MERTHYR JFL UNDER 14 DIVISION.
Hirwaun & Mackworth 1-1 Gurnos FC AFC Llwydcoed Black 0-2 Merthyr Saints Treharris Ath Western 5-0 AFC Llwydcoed Blue Gurnos FC 2-11 Tonyrefail BGC Merthyr Saints 5-2 AFC Llwydcoed Black, CYNON/RHONDDA/MERTHYR JFL UNDER 15 DIVISION. Heolgerrig Red Lion 6-2 FC Cwmaman
DAFYDD Lockyer enjoyed being back on his old stomping ground as he helped steer Abercwmboi to an historic Worthington’s Mid District Bowl triumph with a 25-17 victory over Cynon Valley rivals Abercynon at Sardis Road, writes CARL FIELD.
Lockyer needs little introduction at The House of Pain, where he enjoyed a glittering 381-game trophy-laden career with Pontypridd over an 18-year period and is widely considered to be the best Welsh rugby player never to go professional.
He brought the curtain down on his iconic Valley Commandos career last year in order to take up coaching and “play the odd game” back at Abercwmboi, his local club.
Abercwmboi’s 33-21 semi-final win over Cilfynydd seven days prior had ensured centre Lockyer would get to grace Sardis Road wearing
No.12 in a competitive match once more although, with Abercwmboi using the away dressing room, it wasn’t all home comforts for the Ponty legend!
His side would go on to lift the district title for the first time in the club’s history, prevailing in a hardfought final.
Mason Williams and Owain Reddick touched down for two unconverted tries for The Village, with outside-half Neil Burnett booting five penalties.
Abercynon outscored Abercwmboi three tries to two with Nathan Jones, Iwan Dawes and Morgan Davies all dotting down and they more than played their part in a thrilling final.
“I didn’t think I’d play here again after I finished, but then first season I go back to my local club we end up playing in a cup final on Sardis Road, it’s fate really isn’t it,” said ex-Pontypridd skipper Lockyer.
“It was exciting to go back because of all the memories and just nice to be back at Sardis and see a couple of old friends.
“It was nice to win on it and it was a massive win for the club, considering we’d never won a district cup final, so it was nice for the whole club and a really good night.”