WEST CENTRAL B

PORTHCAWL ............... 31 BANWEN ...................... 12

IN THEIR penultimate match and the final one at home, Porthcawl secured automatic promotion, notching up their 10th league win in a row and with one match remaining, they will watch intently how second-placed Bridgend Sports play out their final five matches, to decide who takes the spoils as champions.

The Seaweeds comfortably accounted for a spirited Banwen outfit, racing into a healthy first-half lead before the visitors got some deserved secondhalf points.

Within five minutes, some great attacking play from full back Scott Govan put left winger Jake Thomas in at the corner.

Porthcawl’s pack had been ruthless from the outset and put enormous pressure on the visiting eight with a series of driving scrums and eventually earning a penalty try as the resistance crumbled. Josh White converted.

With skipper Richard Hnyda leading the way, and No 8 Tom Butcher and James Burge-Davies rampant in making ground, Banwen really were struggling. Following further pressure, scrum half Connor Rees took advantage to drive over for the Seaweeds’ third try converted by White and at 19-0, the home side were cruising.

Porthcawl’s backs were managing to get the ball wide and some snappy passing saw right winger Lloyd Rosser-Stanford fly over at the corner for the fourth try.

As can sometimes happen following a frenetic first period, the match lulled into a period of sterility in the third quarter, with Banwen putting up stubborn resistance against the continuing home attacks as Porthcawl went for bonus points.

However, it all came good again as from a strong Seaweeds scrum, replacement winger David Hughes showed his able footwork by skipping through two tackles for a smart try goaled by White.

Banwen suddenly sparked into life and flanker Jordan Griffiths nabbed an unconverted try. As the match entered the final flourish, it was the visitors who again took advantage, by latching on to a loose ball for centre Johnny Phillips to snatch the try, converted by Ieuan Williams.

Porthcawl end their campaign on Saturday at Tonmawr, seeking the bonus-point win that they hope will see them win the division.