BONUS-POINT WIN FOR EBBW VALE

THERE was some superb action involving our clubs over the weekend, writes Jamie Willis.

In the big Mid District clash in the Principality Premiership, Merthyr spoilt Pontypridd’s party for their new 4G pitch. The Ironmen scored five tries in a 39-21 success that takes them up to fourth spot in the table. Gareth Davies, James Howe, Rhys Williams, Ed Siggery and Terry Gee all crossed for the visitors while former Wales international Ceri Sweeney grabbed a brace of tries for the home team. Alex Webber also had a five-pointer for the hosts who now sit in mid-table.

Bargoed gave a very good account of themselves away to leaders Aberavon before a late flourish saw them lose out by 45-25. The Rhymney Valley outfit just missed out on a bonus point but can be pleased with their improvement in performance. Jack Williams, Lewis Hudd and Ashley Norton scored tries for the Blues with Callum Jones slotting two penalties and two conversions.

In the National Championship, Beddau kickstarted their season in some fashion by hammering West Wales club Newcastle Emlyn 69-3 at their Mount Pleasant Park ground. A fantastic second half performance saw the Green and Golds score 49 unanswered points to get their first win of the campaign. Outside-half Hywel Chatham finished the game with a personal haul of 23 points.

Newbridge also got their first win of the campaign but it was at the expense of Bedlinog. The Foxes’ good start to the season was haltered by the 31-21 reverse at the Welfare Ground. Tries from Rhys Walker and Andrew Murphy plus 11 points from Ian Smerdon could not prevent their second loss of the season.

Rhydyfelin are now sitting pretty at the top after another emphatic win. Jordon Rees was on fire for the Taff Ely Club as he crossed for four tries, whilst there were individual efforts for Scott Pritchard and Kevin Briggs to go with a penalty try in the 50-13 victory.

Nelson are certainly making all the right noises at the start of the season and Blaenavon certainly heard them this Saturday as the Unicorns left their visitors reeling with a 5014 win. This keeps Nelson’s unbeaten run going and moves them up to second spot and a point behind the leaders.

Penallta returned to winning ways with a good home derby win over Senghenydd. Johnny Wright, Lewis Barrett, Grant Pearce, Andrew Jenkins and Jonny Viney all crossed for the Pitmen to claim the 27-5 win over a battling Saints outfit.

In National One East Central, leaders Treorchy made it four from four with a 51-22 bonus-point away win at Llantwit Fardre. The Zebras did not have it their own way in the first period but powered away in the second to keep their place at the top. Llantwit stay at the bottom of the table.

Dowlais are having a great start to the season and they too enjoyed a fourth win of the new campaign with a hugely impressive 14-10 away win at Llanharan. The Heads of the Valley outfit sit nicely in second place behind the Zebras.

Ystrad Rhondda climb up to third place in the table jumping over their hosts St Josephs after a nail-biting 31-28 win. Ystrad left it very late to take the points after the lead changed hands many times during a highly entertaining fixture in Cardiff.

Porth Harlequins will be celebrating their first win in Division One as they dispatched Rumney 38-24 in the Rhondda. The Quins also grabbed a well-deserved try bonus point in the victory which moves them up to a midtable league position.

Mountain Ash are up to fourth place as they recorded a third victory this season with a good 2416 win over Rhiwbina at their Parc Dyffryn Pennar ground. Will Holley had a fine game for the Old Firm kicking 17 points.

In National Two East Central, Llantrisant’s 100% record is still intact as they returned from Old Illtydians with an excellent 40-21 bonus-point win. With leaders Llanishen losing to St Peters, the Black Army now hit top spot.

Abercynon took a share of the spoils after they recorded a 29-29 home draw with a good CR Cymry Caerdydd outfit at Y Parc, while fellow Cynon Valley club Aberdare will have been disappointed to return from Barry with a 32-30 reverse.

In the derby match at Gilfach Goch, it was the home team who aome out on top with a good 34-20 win over Pontyclun. The victory was the first of the season for Gilfach and could act as a springboard for success for the rest of the season.

In National League Division Three East Central A, Cambrian Welfare dropped a place despite putting Llandaff to the sword with a 35-8 success at the Tump. They are replaced at the top by Abercwmboi who put on another good performance dispatching Fairwater 437. Cilfynydd are tied at the top with the Miners and the Village as they also got a good bonus-point victory over fellow District club Gwernyfed. The Bees recorded a 37-5 win which perhaps doesn’t reflect on the efforts of the Mid Wales team.

Treharris Phoenix remain unbeaten as they recorded a well-deserved 29-13 win over winless Pentyrch, while in another all-Mid District affair nothing could seperate Ynysowen and Treherbert as they shared the points in a 21-21 draw.

In National League Division Three East Central B, Wattstown took top spot in the league as they put in an excellent home shift in the Rhondda to gain a 34-10 win over visitors Cowbridge.

Cefn Coed are just behind the Ducks in the table as they made it win number three with a 3024 home win over Canton. Wattstown can thank local rivals Tylorstown for taking top spot as they beat previous leaders Caerau Ely 27-7 in the Rhondda. The Tigers move up into the top three.

Penygraig enjoyed another impressive home win as they lowered Lla- ntwit Major’s colours at Graig Park with a 37-12 win.

Tonyrefail’s good run was halted but they took a bonus point in a 27-22 defeat at Cardiff Saracens.

In National Three East Central C, Hirwaun continued their good start to the season as they claimed a second consecutive league win with a 27-19 home success over Cathays. There was also a good win for Ferndale as they recorded their second bonus-point win of the season to go top of the table. The Rhondda club were 30-12 victors.

In National League Three East A, Caerphilly come out on top in a real tight battle away at Monmouth. The Cheesemen took the points late in the second period with outside-half Matthew Hurley orchestrating his team well in the 27-21 win.

In National League Three East C, nothing could separate Deri and New Panteg as they ended the game with a 23-23 draw. The draw means that Deri remain unbeaten in their opening two rounds of league fixtures.