Seasiders are on the up and want top prize Local rugby

FERNDALE wrapped up the Three East Central C title in devastating fashion as they ran in nine tries to beat struggling Tongwynlais 57-0.

Matthew Paul led the charge with a hat-trick with Josh Roderick, Dan Brooks, Luc Jones, Keaton Williams and Lee Jones also crashing over. Chris Cutters was also on the scoresheet and kicked five conversions with Daniel Coleman completing the kicking with a conversion of his own.

Needing just one point to seal the title, Ferndale didn’t hold back to record their 13th league win in a row, which continued their 100 per cent record in Three East Central C. With just three games left to go, Ferndale are close to a perfect record.

After missing out on promotion last season, Ferndale have rallied to take the league by storm.

They have scored more than 40 points in seven different league games and have recorded three clean sheets against Tongwynlais, Cathays, beating them 61-0, and Whitchurch.

Hirwaun came close to ending their run last month, narrowly losing 31-30, but Ferndale had just enough to see out the victory.

Despite winning the title, Ferndale will not look to take their foot off the gas as they look to complete the season unbeaten with a double header against Llanrumney to come as well as a re-arranged game with basement boys CIACS, after the original game was postponed. PORTHCAWL are celebrating promotion from Three West Central B – and may yet top it off with title glory.

The Seasiders cemented a top-two finish in the recent 31-12 home win over Banwen and rounded off one of their most successful campaigns in recent memory with a 24-3 victory at Tonmawr on Saturday.

Mike Gubb, Jake Thomas and a penalty try were on the scoresheet while Josh White kicked nine points to put Porthcawl 13 points clear of Bridgend Sports.

However with their fixtures now complete Porthcawl’s fate is out of their own hands and rivals Sports – who still have four games remaining – are hot favourites to snatch the title.

“The guys are elated,” said team manager Ian McDonald.

“We were a long way from his three years ago and everybody’s efforts have paid dividends.”

The South Road club won 14 of their 16 league games with their only defeats coming at home against Sports on the opening weekend and then at Baglan in mid-October.

Both those losses were avenged in the reverse fixtures, while there was also a memorable win at Sports in the National Bowl before bowing out at eventual semifinalists Cilfynydd.

After two defeats in the first five league games, Rhys James’ Gulls side managed to reel off 11 straight wins.

“There were some mixed emotions after Tonmawr,” continued McDonald.

“We were slightly disappointed we didn’t finish with a bonus point and give ourselves the best chance of going up as champions. We’d have liked to have done that – as it’s always a good competitive game against those lads [Sports] to put it mildly – but we’re pleased with the outcome of this season.”

On what’s been the secret of their success, he said: “We’ve restructured the way that we do things; it’s all about looking after the players with things like insurance and a good social side.

“A lot of hard work has gone in from a very small committee and there’s a good steward at the club as well.

“The players have all responded to that and we’re getting quality players coming back to the club.”

McDonald singled out skipper Richard Hnyda, centre Mike Gubb, influential No.10 Josh White and rumoured-to-beretiring back-row stalwart James BurgeDavies for their outstanding performances on the park this season.

He added: “The positive thing is we’ve also had second team games as well so that’s a big bonus for us to have some depth – and for players on the periphery of the first team getting to play rugby and demonstrating their capabilities.”

Porthcawl are set to be promoted to Three West Central A for next season although there are rumours the three West Central divisions of Division Three could be merged into two ahead of the new campaign.

That would only be a positive thing according to McDonald, who said: “It would mean we’d get more games and, from a club finance perspective, that’s much, much better.”