PREMIERSHIP TIER 2
BARGOED .................... 26 BRIDGEND RAVENS .. 42
CAPTAIN Jamie Murphy kicked the Ravens to victory over Bargoed at the Ystrad Mynach Sports Centre.
The Ravens are now second in the Tier 2 table with the game against Neath at the Gnoll on Friday night to come.
It is very close between the top five teams with only five points between leaders Newport and fifth placed Cross Keys who play at Rodney Parade tonight (Wednesday). hwyl, the rousing rugby was a joy to watch. Such was the Maesteg men’s dominance, Bonymaen graciously conceded there was not a single facet of play the Quins didn’t command. Lee Ronan kept up the momentum with a looping support run. Patience was the key and constant recycling with quick hands sent Dean Ronan over. Geraint Evans converted from the touchline.
Another continuous movement was concluded with a neatly taken Lee Ronan dropped goal who, behind a barnstorming interval.
The home side then secured a bonus point try early in the half, Young was held up just short before several phases and quick ruck ball saw half backs Tom Daniel and Clark move the ball swiftly into midfield where James Tredray split the Cwmgors defence to score, Clark converted.
The visitors then enjoyed their best period of the match to bring themselves back into contention, Adam Williams showed his pace with two fine individual efforts, Dan Morgans adding a conversion.
Pencoed moved the ball from deep before full back Ryan Russell sped through midfield from some 60 metres before swerving around the full
If Keys lose, they will finish fifth and the Ravens will be in the play-offs. However, if Keys win, Friday’s game will settle the top four who go into the play-offs.
The match at Ystrad Mynach was scrappy but eventful.
Tries came from Mat- pack and lazer accurate passing from Geraint Watkins, commanded affairs at outside-half.
Quins were shredding Bonymaen’s defence with a mixture of power and elusive running. Taking the ball on a flat receipt, Lee Ronan weaved through the defence. Jacob Lewis supported to link with Owen Richards. Dean Ronan popped up outside the flying farmer to send Kieran Watkins over. With Nathan Smith stealing line-out possession and the visiting hooker unable to contend with the wind, the Swan- back for a superb individual try, Clark landed a fine conversion. Fittingly the final try for Pencoed went to David Young, soon to embark on a New Zealand adventure.
CONGRATULATIONS to Pencoed U16 squad members Sam Costelow and Tom Sly on gaining their Welsh U16 Caps at outside half and tight head prop respectively against England.
A FURTHER boost for the club was the news that Pencoed Youth won the MENS CUP at the 10th Anniversary of the Majorca Beach Rugby Tournament at Magaluf.
PENCOED Phoenix U18 talent Kayleigh Powell skippered the West Wales side to victory over East Wales at Cardiff Arms Park. thew Edwards, Tom O’Flaherty, Ashton Evans and Adam O’Driscoll. Murphy did the rest with two conversions and six penalties for a match tally of 22 points adnd the Ravens avenged their 14-6 defeat at Bargoedd Park earlier in the season. sea suburbanites could not form a bridgehead on Quins turf. Such was Bonymaen’s pack plight, the shepherd’s crook came out by the end of the first quarter.
The scrums were momentarily shored up, but when an excellent Quins running move was foiled just short of the line, Bonymaen were shunted off the their own ball at the following scrum and skipper Steve Williams smuggled the ball over the line.
Halting another attack, the Quins were penalised. Bonymaen were off and away with a quick tap, Lawrence Thomas went on a looping run to the line.
Richard Cunnliffe converted to give his team a glimmer of hope as halftime arrived with the score at 20-7.
Playing through a number of phases, Ronan chipped ahead. It seemed a poor choice, but the vagaries of a bouncing rugby ball caused enough mayhem for Jack Picton to nip in for a try.
Aled Edwards showed good pace to round defenders, pass to Jack Picton who drew the last man and passed back inside for Dean Ronan to notch his second try. Despite unloading their bench to stem the unstoppable Quins eight, a driving maul resulted in the omnipresent Lewis Tutt touching down.
Rhodri Thomas kicked a regulation penalty before Geraint Watkins powered over for a try. Thomas converted for an incredible 45-7 victory. Those privileged enough to have witnessed this dragonhearted cluster of Quins, have probably watched the best team in 118 years of Quins rugby.