Grigg on hand to put Neath in charge

Championship round-up

NEATH held on to top spot with a tight 29-22 win over a resurgent Ystrad Rhondda side. John Bayliss opened the scoring for the hosts. Alex Webber hit back before a penalty from Steff Williams and two Sion Crocker tries gave Neath a comfortable 22-12 lead.

A Nathan Roderick try and a Jacob Symes penalty closed the deficit, but David Grigg scored a crucial try for Neath to secure the win.

Cardiff Met got back to winning ways on Friday night, with a late win against Maesteg Harlequins. Danny Milton’s Archers were coming off the back of a poor 60-17 loss against Neath a few weeks ago and leapfrogged the visitors with a late penalty out wide from American winger Porter Goodrum.

Tries from Alfie Price and Nathan Williams set Cardiff Met on the right track, before Owen Howe and Jack Goodridge gave the visiting Quins a sniff. At 17-17 it could have been anyone’s game, but Goodrum stepped up and scored a crucial penalty to win it for the Archers.

Ewan Rosser opened the scoring for Pontypool early on. Bedwas replied through a penalty from Lloyd Wilkins before Joel Mahoney replied for the visitors.

Pooler added two scintillating tries from Matthew Powell and Garin Price, who added the try bonus point before half time. Ewan Rosser soon added his second and third tries of the afternoon, after the break. Bedwas fought hard to get back into the game. But Scott Matthews capped his 50th appearance with a try at the death to secure a dominant 47-10 victory.

Meanwhile Cross Keys moved into third with a dramatic win against Narberth. The Otters lead with 10 minutes remaining, but a late Tom Davies try sealed a 32-30 win for the visitors. Glamorgan Wanders completed an excellent 59-3 win over Tata Steel.