WAUN GRAB A LIFELINE THANKS TO WELCOME SURPRISE
WAUNARLWYDD handed themselves a lifeline in One West Central with a surprise 39-0 home win against Maesteg Celtic, ending a run of nine straight league defeats.
It was a certainly a welcome victory for Waun, their first at home this term and only their second of the campaign — you have to go all the way back to September 15 and the 29-28 win at Ammanford for their last success.
Waun remain bottom of the table but are within striking distance of Aberavon Quins and Tondu with games in hand and clashes against them to come, while they are now just eight points behind Celtic.
The win on Saturday also avenged the 49-21 defeat at Celtic in the reverse fixture back in October.
Hooker Rhys Cherry scored two of Waun’s six tries, while there was one each for wings Alan Pope and Sam Pridgeon, and both centres Adam Mort and Andrew Rees-Spowart also touched down.
Rees-Spowart kicked a conversion along with two conversions and a penalty from Jamie Moore.
“It was a good performance,” said Waun club official Cellan Thomas.
“We were well beaten up in Maesteg. It was probably the worst performance of the season, so I think there was a point to prove after what happened up there.
“We’ve been a little bit unlucky, but it was the performance that we’ve been looking for — it hasn’t been that good all year.
“There was a good attitude and a big defensive effort; it was a good win considering the conditions.
“We need to keep on winning, though, and we’ve got to play Tondu and Aberavon Quins, who are in the mix with us.”
Aberavon Quins, who are second from bottom, sit just a point above Waunarlwydd.
Quins lost 10-6 at Ammanford, for whom skipper Chris Morris scored the only try of the match. Steff Roberts added the extras.
At the top end of the table, Ystalyfera march on after their 15-0 win over Kenfig Hill at the Ynysydarren Ground.
Josh Jarrett and Callum Papp got the tries, with Steff Castle kicking the other five points for Fera as they made it 13 wins from 14 this season.
“We’re just ticking off each game as it comes,” said Ystalyfera team manager Damian James.
“The weather was so bad and we just couldn’t do anything with the ball; it was a bit of a dire game.
“We were quite comfortable winners. We blew a couple of opportunities to get the bonus point but we didn’t look like losing.
“Every game in this tough.”
Bonymaen, who have a game in hand on Ystalyfera, beat Skewen 20-3 and remain 13 points back.
Ben Davies and a penalty try helped them on their way, adding to two penalties and a conversion from Richard Cunniffe.
Bonymaen host Ystalyfera on February 16, a clash that will have a massive bearing on the title race.
Glynneath have three games in hand on Ystalyfera and are 19 points back. Their scheduled trip to Brynaman on Saturday was postponed.
In Two West Central, Birchgrove enjoyed their 14th win of the campaign as they defeated Porthcawl 279.
No. 8 Josh Key bagged a brace of tries, alongside touchdowns for flanker Rob Green and Lewis Cox. Fly-half Mathew Edwards kicked two conversions and a penalty.
Second-placed Nantyffyllon, who division is