RUGBY ROUND-UP
HOLDERS Burry Port took another step towards retaining the WRU National Bowl as they beat St Clears 35-10 to reach round four.
Iwan Roberts scored twice, with Llyr Sims, Richard Parker and Luke Rudall also getting tries while Ben Williams booted two conversions and two penalties.
The big winners of the day in the Bowl round three ties were Birchgrove. who crushed Girling 93-10 – with Richie Beynon’s fivetry salvo stealing the show.
Nathan Jones and Nicky Fisher were both at the double in the 15-try romp.
Nantyffyllon are also into round four after they edged to a narrow 30-29 win at Aberbargoed.
Connor Griffiths, Johnny Phillips and Tadgh McGuckin got their tries with the latter converting all three tries and adding three penalties.
In the WRU Plate second round ties, wing Elliott Keep helped himself to a hat-trick as last season’s beaten finalists Penallta made through to round three after seeing off Brecon 41-6.
The Pitmen last won the competition back in 2012 and the team they beat in that final four years ago, Nant Conwy, are also through after they beat Pontypool United 43-21.
Sion Pringle and Cai Jones bagged both braces with Jack Moriarty, Arthur Lennon and Robert Perry also scoring tries in the win with Delwyn Jones adding the extras.
Meanwhile, 2013 runners-up Rhydyfelin are also through to round three after a crushing 65-7 victory at Carmarthen Athletic – a win inspired by Jordan Rees’ hattrick.
Scott Pritchard, David Gratton, Ross Lucas, Chris Tottle, Rhys Phillips, and Luke Rees were also among the scorers.
In the National Championship, Pontypool march on at the top as they battled back from behind at half time to make it nine from nine with a 23-18 victory at Newcastle Emlyn.
Jamie Jeune and Rob Nash got the Pooler tries, both converted by Matthew Jones, who also kicked three penalties.
Llyr Jones and Shaun Leonard got the Emlyn tries with the latter booting their other points as they took a losing bonus point – having led 12-6 at the turnaround.
Pooler remain nine points clear of chasing sides Tata Steel and Narberth ,who both picked up their seventh wins from nine respectively.
Tries from Lewis Evans and Jack O’Reilly helped earn Tata a 20-10 win at Cardiff Met, with O’Reilly also booting 10 points.
Luke Northmore got the Students’ try with Alex Seers kicking their other points.
Narberth, meanwhile, were 19-12 home winners over Glynneath with Dylan Cooper, Nick Gale and Jack Price scoring their tries, while Gale kicked two conversions.
Aled Evans and James Parry replied for the visitors, with one of the tries converted by Dylan Francis.
Newbridge remain rooted to the bottom of the table after they crashed their seventh loss of the campaign – losing 24-3 at Beddau.
Jack Dando, Tyler Wells and a penalty try were on the scoresheet for Beddau, who are now fourth, with Callum Wheeler adding three conversions and a penalty – with all of their points coming in the second half.
Simon Veall booted Newbridge’s only points – as they led 3-0 at the break.
Glamorgan Wanderers put in a five-star performance as they beat Dunvant 47-9.
Lloyd Clark was at the double with Michael Owen, Ryan Owen and Ioan Mortimer also crashing over with Luke Fish adding their other points from the tee.
Richard Lewis kicked three penalties for Dunvant.
The other game in the division saw Bedlinog triumph over Skewen 15-12.
Joel Harris and Matthew Rees scored for Bedlinog with Iain Smerdon converting and adding a penalty while Anthony Busselli kicked four penalties in reply for the visitors.
There were also just a handful of league fixtures played lower down the leagues yesterday and there was a standout performance from Pontarddulais’ Aled Thomas – who scored a hat-trick to inspire his side to a 26-6 victory at Tycroes in Two West.