Ystrad have the edge in a thrilling win at Wanderers

YSTRAD Rhondda came out on top in a thrilling and engaging Championship Cup contest against Glamorgan Wanderers at the Memorial Ground in Ely, writes Steffan Thomas.

The Wanderers had made a flying start to the season with a good win over Cardiff Met but were brought back down to earth with a bang as they were out-muscled on their own patch.

In a tight affair Ystrad Rhondda’s pack came out on top to record a 28-20 win, with their driving lineout proving too much for the hosts to deal with.

The visitors crossed for four tries in total with blindside flanker Michael Smallman, left-wing Sion Summers, and openside flanker Jarred Llewelyn touching down twice.

Glamorgan Wanderers were able to muster two tries of their own courtesy of Owen Hetherhill, and Josh Male while Tyler Morris kicked 10 points.

The standout try was scored by Ystrad’s Llewelyn with the impressive flanker bursting clear before running in unopposed from 45 metres out for a terrific try. Summers’ try was a neat finish at the corner, while Smallman powered over from short range off the back of a driving lineout.

This victory takes Ystrad Rhondda up to second in Group Two of the WRU Championship Cup, a mere point behind Cardiff Met and one point above Glamorgan Wanderers. This was the only Championship Cup fixture played this weekend, but there was plenty of action in the Plate.

Ynysddu ruined Abergavenny’s unbeaten record as they stormed their way to a 27-20 win in District A1 of the WRU Plate, while in District A4 Pontypool United also lost their 100 per cent winning ratio with Newbridge grinding out a 17-5 win.

Arguably the match of the weekend came in District B1 of the Plate with Llanishen recording a 32-27 home win over Rhiwbina in what was a cracking game of rugby.

In District C1 Abercynon beat Aberdare 17-15, and Abercwmboi won 9-7 at Treharris in what was a pretty dire affair.

Llantwit Fardre got began their season with a disappointing 17-5 home defeat to Llantrisant in District C2, while Ynysybwl started their campaign on a positive note as they triumphed 20-15 at home over Gilfach Goch.

In District C4 Caerphilly beat Nelson 25-15, while Penallta ran riot as they thrashed Senghenydd 42-0 at home. Morriston took Ystradgynlais’ unbeaten record with a well-deserved 17-12 away win in District E1.

The stand-out result in the WRU Bowl was Abertysswg’s 75-14 win over New Tredegar.