PREMIERSHIP RUGBY ROUNDUP
EBBW Vale head coach Greg Woods wasn’t too downbeat after his side’s 15-9 defeat at Llandovery – their third on the spin in the Principality Premiership.
Woods had called on his experienced players to front up going into the clash at Church Bank and, for an hour, they more than did that.
But, ultimately, they would have to make do with a losing bonus point as a 10-point haul for the home side in the final quarter secured them the victory.
Missing several key players through injury, the Steelmen led 9-5 through three Rhys Jones penalties before Rhodri Jones’ try for the Drovers on the hour.
It was converted by Jack Maynard who also kicked a penalty late on. Marc Jones scored for the hosts in the first half.
The defeat for Ebbw follows on from their 20-0 home defeat by Merthyr as well as their 24-19 reverse at Pontypridd before that.
Woods said: “Llandovery is a very difficult place to go on a Friday night.
“We just didn’t score enough points in the first half with the wind, but we were pleased to come away with a point.
“We’ve had a tough block of fixtures but got bonus points from the away games.
“I want us to be competitive and now is another week where we can get some bodies back ahead of a huge game against Newport on Friday night.”
The match with Newport at Eugene Cross Park will also mark captain Ronny Kynes’ 200th appearance for the Steelmen.
Elsewhere, Cardiff came from behind to beat RGC 25-19 at the Arms Park.
Tries from Will Rees-Hole, Adam Jones and Joe Tomlinson, plus 10 points from the boot of Steffan Jones, were enough to secure the victory.
The visitors scored three tries of their own courtesy of Evans Yardley and two from Aron Evans.
Meanwhile Chris Budgen scored a late consolation try for Bedwas as they went down 19-5 at home against Aberavon.
Ashton Evans scored for the Wizards who were also awarded two penalty tries either side of half time.
Three Matt O’Brien penalties gave Newport a 9-3 victory over Swansea while the scheduled clash between Bargoed and Bridgend was postponed.
Gareth Rees’ hat-trick inspired Carmarthen Quins to a 41-14 win over crisis-torn bottom club Neath while Dylan Fidler cancelled out a Taylor Davies try as Cross Keys and Llanelli shared the points after a 5-5 draw.