Horgan hoping Neath are on the up again
NEATH ran riot at The Gnoll scoring six tries on their way to a comprehensive 45-5 victory over Glamorgan Wanderers in the Championship Cup.
Full-back Iestyn Morgan opened the scoring for the Welsh All Blacks with a cracking try as he showed tremendous pace to beat four defenders.
Powerful hooker Chris Morris then barged over from short range for their second touchdown, and he claimed another try just after the interval.
Scrum-half Macauley Griffiths was next to score, with captain Ryan Evans, and openside flanker Alun Jones completing the try scoring.
“It’s a big aim of the club to get back to the Premiership in the long run,” said Neath head coach Patrick Horgan.
“Even though there’s no promotion this season we want to be at the top of the table and build for the future. Neath need to be playing regularly against the likes of Llanelli, Swansea, Cardiff, and Newport.”
Bargoed were also big winners in the Championship Cup as they ran riot to beat Narberth 40-13, while Ystrad Rhondda continued their strong run of form with a narrow 11-6 away win at Maesteg Harlequins.
This was a brutal affair with both sides’ packs of forwards cancelling each other out for much of the game.
Ystrad Rhondda hooker Liam Wiggins proved to be the difference when he powered his way over from short range courtesy of a powerful driving lineout by the visitors. Outside-half Rhys Truelove also kicking six points for Ystrad Rhondda.
In the Championship Plate, Trebanos moved to the top of the table with a hard-fought 28-7 victory over Lee Jarvis’ Beddau.
Iestyn Lewis powered over for a brace of tries, with Rob Jones, and Casey Williams scoring a try apiece for Rhodri Jones’ side, who are now level on points with Bedwas at the top but are ahead of them on points difference.
Morgan Stoddard’s Cross Keys comfortably overcame Tata Steel 31-16 at Pandy Park. Chris Johnsey (twice), and Connah Vaughan (twice) were the try scorers for the hosts. Stoddard’s side are third in the table, just five points off the top. Elsewhere, Bedwas ran riot to record a comprehensive 36-3 bonus-point home victory over Ystalyfera.
James Richards (twice), Josh Edwards, Matthew Williams, Dafydd Thomas, and Alex Bourne were the try scorers for Bedwas, with Gareth James adding points from the kicking tee.
Bedwas are now second in the table and will be confident of topping the table by the end of the season.
CARDIFF overturned a half-time deficit to beat RGC 1404 in Colwyn Bay.
The opening try came 15 minutes into the first half for the home side.
RGC’s Brodie Coghlan broke through Cardiff ’s defence and passed to Kieran Henry who dived in at the corner.
The score stayed at 5-0 after a failed conversion.
After the restart, Cardiff suffered another blow as former Wales Sevens ace George Gasson was forced off injured and had to be replaced by Cameron Winnett.
Moments later, RGC got points on the board after a penalty in front of the posts was dispatched by Dion Jones.
At 8-0 Cardiff needed some possession. After going through the phases, Cardiff ’s Ben Murphy was able to break through for a try. Another missed conversion kept the score at 8-5 at half time.
Cardiff started the second period by putting more pressure on the home side. A line-out deep in their opponent’s half led to some impressive defending by RGC close to their try line.
This was short lived as the away side managed to get through and secure another five points thanks to Sam Moore. A conversion by Jack Maynard put Cardiff 8-12 up.
Minutes later the away side were given another penalty after RGC did not release. Only just into their own half, Cardiff’s Jacob Beetham kicked long and secured three points to complete the win.
RGC 1404: Try: Kieran Henry. Pen: Dion Jones.
CARDIFF RFC: Tries: Ben Murphy, Sam Moore. Con: Jack Maynard. Pen: Jacob Beetham.