Ironmen flattened as Bulls charge back to blow the Pool wide open
BARGOED provided the shock result from Wednesday’s Foster’s Cup action as they stunned Merthyr 21-14 at The Wern.
That result has blown Pool 3 of the competition wide open, as Pontypridd closed the gap to leaders Merthyr.
The Bulls, now third with nine points, clawed their way back from a 14-8 half-time deficit to secure the dramatic victory. Duane Dyer and Greg Callow scored tries with Callow also adding a conversion and a penalty. Calum Jones also chipped in with six points from the boot.
And the win meant defending champions
Pontypridd heaped the pressure onto the Ironmen after their resounding 6314 win over Ebbw Vale.
Ponty ran in nine tries in a blistering effort that saw them move within five points of the Ironmen.
Former Wales international Ceri Sweeney set the tone for Ponty with a try in the opening minute, before Huw Dowden, Owen Sheppeard, Lewis Williams and Dafi Davies capped off a bruising half of clinical, attacking rugby.
After the break, a penalty try and Dan Godfrey’s score extended the advantage, before Davies had his second and full-back Callum Hall went over late on to ensure Ponty went over 60-points for the first time since September 2015. Carmarthen Quins took another step closer to the semi-finals after they maintained their perfect record in the contest.
The Quins, who lost at the semi-final stage last season, beat Swansea 24-7 to extend their advantage over Llandovery to eight points in Pool 2 after the Drovers took a 40-7 hammering against Llanelli.
Llandovery did take the lead early on through a Tom Powell try and a James Davies conversion, but that proved to be their only points of the night as
Llanelli put their foot down and ran in six tries, with the bonus-point secured before the break.
Just three points separates the top three in Pool 4 after Bridgend and Neath sealed wins against
Aberavon and Cardiff respectively. And with two rounds of games to go, it is anybody’s guess as to who qualifies for the semifinals.
The Ravens top the group with 14 points after they took revenge for last week’s 31-7 thumping against the Wizards. They came out on top of a 10-try thriller against Aberavon on Wednesday 41-31, with a vital bonus-point to boot.
Jamie Murphy – on his 100th cap for the Ravens – scored an impressive 21 points that included a try and 16 from the tee. Matthew Edwards, Kyle Maiden, Ryan Evans and Joe Gatt also crossed for Bridgend. Sam Williams dotted down twice for the Wizards.
And Neath’s 28-23 win over Cardiff ensured they kept tabs with the leading two, to give them a chance of qualifying for the semifinals.
It was a see-saw battle at the Arms Park, as Ed Howley’s boot proved decisive in the second-half. Former Wales and Blues centre was also on the scoresheet for the Welsh All Blacks who stay in the hunt in Pool 4. Bedwas ran riot against
Cross Keys to ensure Pool 1 remains a close affair. The three team group sees
Newport top with 10points with Bedwas and Keys trailing close behind on six.
But the Keys took a beating at the Bridgefield on Wednesday despite going ahead 8-0 early on. Bedwas bit back and then punched in eight tries with Adam Williams the pick of the bunch with a brace.