FRANCIS SEALS THRILLING WIN
FORMER finalists Glynneath are safely into round three of the WRU National Plate after edging out Felinfoel 11-9.
It took a last-minute penalty from fly-half Dylan Francis to see off the One West leaders and maintain Glynneath’s unbeaten start to the season.
Francis held his nerve at the death to land his second effort from the tee after Craig Tennant’s earlier try.
Having come down from the Championship at the end of last season, the rejuvenated Abernant Park club have won all six of their games so far in One West Central, while they also thumped Nantymoel 59-5 in the first round of the Plate.
Glynneath reached the Plate final back in 2011 but were defeated on that day by Ammanford, who are also through to the third round after their 40-7 home victory over Pill Harriers.
However, there were will be no return to the Principality Stadium this season for Ystalyfera after they narrowly lost their second-round clash 27-26 at Treorchy.
Fera agonisingly missed out on glory two seasons ago to Penallta on try count after the match had finished 16-16, before suffering more heartache against Nant Conwy in the semi-finals last season.
Llanelli Wanderers are through after a 22-15 win over Brynaman.
Ben Phillips scored the only try of the match, and Rhydian Morgan added the conversion as well as five penalties.
Joining them in the third round are Seven Sisters, who returned from Bala with a 31-16 win.
Ieuan Owen, Jon Hapgood, Ben Atkins and a penalty try were on the scoresheet and Ieuan Eltham added three conversions and a penalty.
Crymych went down 29-17 at Blaenavon, for whom wing Marcus Jones helped himself to four tries.
Resolven were 36-14 home winners over Caernarfon, while Bonymaen had the edge on Aberystwyth 11-3.
Llangennech’s run is over after they lost 42-0 at reigning champions Brynmawr.
Wing Josh Congreve, who scored a hat-trick in last season’s final against Nant Conwy before departing for Newbridge, announced his return in style with a brace of tries.
Luke Harwood and Ethan Phillips were also among the scorers for Brynmawr.
Elsewhere, tries from Rikki Rosser and Rob Green, along with eight points from the boot of Adam Rowlands, could not prevent Birchgrove from a 23-18 defeat at home to Pwllheli.
It was also the end of the road for Dowlais, who lost 15-10 at home against Bridgend Athletic.
Skewen were defeated 16-14 at Mountain Ash and Pontarddulais were beaten 14-0 at home by Ynysddu.
An injury crisis meant Gorseinon were forced to concede their tie at two-time former winners Penallta, while Kidwelly also handed Croesy- ceiliog a walkover.
In the third round of the WRU National Bowl, Nantgaredig thumped Llanybydder 52-10 to reach round four.
Pyle won 14-0 at Chepstow, but Swansea Uplands, Trimsaran Vardre all bowed out.
Uplands went down 21-7 at Oakdale, Trimsaran were beaten 30-17 at Tylorstown and Vardre lost 21-19 at home against Bridgend Sports. and