Pooler pay perfect tribute to former skipper Butler

PONTYPOOL paid a fitting tribute to their former captain Eddie Butler as they ran in seven tries in a 56-7 win over Cross Keys at Pandy Park in the Admiral Championship.

There was a two-minute silence ahead of the game in memory of The Queen, Butler, former Keys second row Ray Gladwyn and loyal Keys supporter Lionel Horler.

Once the action began, it was one-way traffic.

Pooler notched up three tries in just four minutes through Deon Smith and Pat Lewis, who crossed twice.

Youngster Sam Scarfe claimed his sixth try in 12 appearances to secure the bonus point within half-an-hour.

Matthew Jarvis converted all four scores to make it 28-0 at the break.

Keys lost Brian Feeney to a yellow card early in the second half and a penalty try soon after made in 35-0.

Next on the scoresheet were Joel Mahony and skipper Mike Herbert, while Mahony and Jarvis maintained the 100% conversion rate.

Ieuan Jones added the final try for the visitors, which was again converted by Jarvis. Keys got a consolation at the close through Ieuan Smith.

Neath were equally dominant in their home game with Bedwas, racing into a 32-0 lead before finally triumphing 37-7 at The Gnoll. Ryan Griffiths and Ryan Evans both crossed twice for the home side with the other tries coming from Josh Clark and

Morgan Kneath.

Former Wales international Aled Brew returned to one of his former clubs to pull on the black jersey once again, but ended up getting a yellow card. Bedwas picked up a consolation try through Lloyd Wilkins, which he also converted.

Reigning champions Bargoed bounced back from their defeat against Neath the previous weekend with a 28-25 win at Narberth, while Cardiff Met held on at home to overcome Ystrad Rhondda 32-25.

The students made it two wins from two thanks to a brace of tries for both Alex Terry and Tyler Olding.

They secured the bonus point, while Osian Evans added three conversions and two penalties.

Ystrad Rhondda scored tries through Corben Evans and Kurtis Williams which added to two conversions and two penalties from Rhys Truelove.

Cardiff Met remain one of three teams on a maximum 10 points from their opening two games.

Jonny Bayliss was the toast of Ystalyfera after his two tries enabled the home side to take the spoils in the local derby with Trebanos.

Returning to his former club as one of three players on permit from Neath – the home side had eight players away – he crossed for the vital scores in a 12-0 win.

Beddau outscored Glamorgan Wanderers by three tries to two to earn a 19-12 home win, while the game between Maesteg Quins and Tata Steel was postponed.