Newport join the 100 club

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TABLE topping Newport wrapped up their regular Welsh Premiership fixtures with 13 tries as they dismantled Bridgend Ravens 89-24 to also smash past 100 points in the league this season.

The Black and Ambers scored seven tries in the first half to lead 47-7, followed by a further six tries in the second.

Outside-half Matt O’Brien, twice, centres Joe Westwood and Chay Foster-Smith, wingers Iwan Prys Jones and Lloyd Lewis and scrumhalf Che Hope all dotted down for Newport in the first 40 minutes. O’Brien added the extras to six of them.

Skipper Ben Roach then helped himself to a second half hat-trick with lock Rynard Landman and back rower Josh Reid also scoring tries, with Lewis grabbing his second to round off the try scoring.

O’Brien added another six conversions to finish with a 34-point haul of two tries and 12 conversions.

Wing Corum Nott scored twice on debut for Bridgend with Gabe

Lacey and Edd Howley also on the scoresheet to ensure they left with a bonus point. Jamin Hodgkins kicked two conversions.

Llandovery made sure of a home play-off semi-final with a 27-24 win at Aberavon. The double-chasing Drovers, fresh from a third cup triumph last Sunday when they beat Merthyr at the Principality Stadium, only needed a point from their remaining three league matches to ensure they will be at Church Bank in the semis as they bid to retain their Premiership crown.

Left wing Aaron Warren, inside centre Rhodri Jones and lock Chris Long scored first-half tries for the visitors at the Talbot Athletic Ground with captain and scrum half Lee Rees making sure of the bonus point for Euros Evans’ men with a fourth try in the second half.

Jack Maynard kicked two conversions and a penalty. Luke Davies, Rhodri Cole and Brad Roderick were the Wizards’ try scorers, all converted by James Davies who also sent over a penalty.

The result takes Llandovery on to 95 points, nine behind Newport with two games in hand which means they can still finish top which would also ensure a home final should they win their semi.

Ebbw Vale are certain of third spot. They recovered from 24-15 down at half time to run out eventual 28-24 victors at

Carmarthen Quins.

The Steelmen had earlier gone 12-0 up through tries from hooker Ieuan Morris and Hamish Anderson, who was making his first start on the wing. Outside half Kieran Meek converted the latter’s try. But Quins, looking to restore some pride after their 77-7 mauling at Cardiff last week, hit back with two tries from fullback Rhodri Davies and one for outside centre Iestyn Gwillam. All three were converted by outsidehalf Charlie Titcombe who also kicked a penalty.

Ebbw replacement Owen Hatherill scored the only try of the second half, converted by Meek, with two further Meek penalties adding to one in the first half ensured the win.

Cardiff won 47-24 against beaten cup finalists Merthyr to cement fourth. The Blue and Blacks will now travel to either Newport or Llandovery in the play-off semi-finals.

For the second weekend in succession, Cardiff made a lightning quick start to run riot in the first half at the Arms Park. Six of their seven tries were scored in the first half courtesy of wing Dewi Cross, twice, skipper Morgan Allen, lock Craig Hudd and back rowers Lucas de la Rua and Nathan Hudd. Arwel Robson converted all six tries for a 42-7 half time lead.

Sean Moore scored a seventh Cardiff try in the second half, while Jack Kathrens, Lloyd Rowlands, Ethan Lloyd and Gareth Thompson got the Merthyr tries. Thompson added two conversions.

There was late drama in Colwyn Bay where late tries from centre Ryan Wilkins and replacement Curtis Greenslade snatched a 29-27 win for Pontypridd at RGC.

Wilkins also scored in the first half for Pontypridd with flanker Sion Parry and wing Liam Lloyd also on the scoresheet. Ben Burnell and Joe Scrivens kicked one conversion apiece. Gareth Parry, Rhys Tuder and Afon Bagshaw got the RGC tries, all converted by Sam Earl-Jones – who also landed two penalties.

Swansea overcame

Neath 33-25 in an entertaining clash at St Helen’s. Harri Houston was at the double for the Whites who also had Rhys Jones, Matt Dodd and Owen Thomas among their scorers. Jones added four conversions. Ryan Griffiths, Kieran Charles and Chris Morris went over for Neath. Kristian Jones kicked two conversions while Steff Williams added two penalties.