Bird holds his nerve to help Cardiff defeat league leaders

DIGGY Bird sent his last-gasp penalty flying through the posts as Cardiff became the first team to beat Aberavon this season.

Premiership leaders Aberavon arrived at the Arms Park on the back of six successive wins and thought they had kicked-off the Cup in similar fashion when they lead 24-22 after Steff Williams converted David Griggs’ try

Ceri Young’s interception try saw Cardiff take an early ten-point lead but new wing Mike Wilson scored on his debut before a penalty try edged the visitors ahead 14-10 early in the second half. Bird responded by hoisting the ball into the Wizards’ in-goal area for Paul King to touch down before Jack Davies earned a try from a driving maul for a 22-17 lead.

But a see-saw tie looked to have swung Aberavon’s way when Griggs crossed. Bird failed with a drop goal attempt but was on target when his pack earned a penalty late on.

Bridgend came from behind at The Gnoll to edge another close game in Pool D, winning 17-14 against Neath.

The Ravens fought back from a 14-3 after three kicks by Iwan Davies and a try from right wing Aaron Grabham put Neath in charge. But Bridgend skipper Ashton Evans earned his side a third consecutive win in all competitions with a 77th minute try to add to Jamie Murphy’s earlier effort to crown a great fightback.

Reigning champions Pontypridd kicked-off in fine style with a 31-17 win over Ebbw Vale in Pool C. Outside-half Lewis Williams crossed at the posts for a try he also converted to start the march to victory at Eugene Cross Park.

Owen Sheppeard and lock Sean Moore extended the lead before the Steelmen, trailing 21-0, came rushing back into the contest with tries from Kier Hughes and Ross Jones. But any hopes of a comeback were snuffed out when No8 Sheppeard claimed his second try and Williams kicked the conversion and a penalty with 15 minutes left to play. Ebbw Vale replacement Jonathan Bowen grabbed a consolation score.

Merthyr proved far too strong for Bargoed in Pool C’s other tie, running out 38-7 victors away from home. Former soldier and Ospreys hooker Matt Dwyer scored three of Merthyr’s six tries as they raced into a 26-0 interval lead. Other tries came from James Whittingham and two from Kyle Evans, with Dean Gunter kicking four conversions.

Carmarthen Quins defeated Llanelli for the second time this season with a comfortable 35-5 win at Parc Y Scarlets in Pool B. Craig Evans converted all five tries supplied by Lee Taylor, Gwion Jones, Morgan Griffiths, Kieran Jones and Nathan Williams.

Llandovery and Swansea served up 76 points in their Pool B clash at Church Bank. The Drovers plundered seven tries, two of which were penalty tries, and Jamie Davies kicked six conversions and a penalty in a 50-26 win.

Newport fly-half Matt O’Brien scored 17 points as he went through the score card in the Black & Ambers 41-26 win atBedwas in Pool A. Bedwas responded through Phillip Pariyo, Nathan Huish and No8 Josh Hayward.