Symes leaves on high note as Ystrad battle on in cup

THE deadly boot of James Dixon wasn’t enough to guide Bedwas into the semi-finals of the WRU Championship Cup despite hitting the target four times at Ystrad Rhondda.

Twice in the first half Dixon landed penalties to give his side a 6-0 interval lead.

Then back came the home side to steal their thunder and go on to win 15-12.

Corben Evans and Kai Carnell scored tries for the home side and Wales U18 fly-half Jacob Symes added a conversion and penalty to complete the job. Symes is shortly off to Australia to play for the Eastern Suburbs.

Neath, Pontypool and Cross Keys also booked their spots in the semi-finals.

Pooler were made to dig deep but secured their 12th consecutive win with a 29-23 win against Bargoed.

The Bulls led for long periods, but two late tries from the visitors stole victory.

The hosts opened the scoring through Rhys Jones, capitalising on Mike Herbert’s yellow card. Pooler found themselves under further pressure as they were reduced to 13 men as Huw Anderson saw yellow for his role in Bargoed’s penalty try.

Back up to 14 men, the visitors got themselves on the scoreboard through Callum Davies. And Anderson made amends for his earlier yellow by scoring in the corner just before the break.

Steffan Jones edged Bargoed back into the lead with two penalties either side of half-time. Pontypool fly-half Matthew Jarvis kept his side in the game with two penalties before Peter Lloyd added a third try for the visitors.

Jarvis then kicked a penalty to the corner and it proved to be the correct call as Scott Matthews found his way over for a crucial try. Jones set up a thrilling finale by kicking a simple penalty for the hosts, but it was Pooler who held on to book a semi-final spot.

Neath are the holders and kept their name in the pot by beating Trebanos 26-3 at home.

Joshua Clark opened the scoring for the hosts from close range before a Jack Powell try converted by Steff Williams gave Neath a 12-3 lead at the break.

Willis Wood kicked the only points for the visitors.

Ellis Hopkins scored soon after the break before Sion Crocker added a fourth try from the back of a rolling maul. Trebanos pushed towards the end but Neath eased into the next stage.

In the Admiral National Championship, Cardiff Met continued their excellent league form by demolishing Ystalyfera 69-5 to make it three wins in their last four games.

The Archers scored 10 tries, including four apiece from winger Toby Baldwin and hooker Tom Cotton. Haydn Lidstone added eight conversions and a penalty.

Narberth scored eight tries as they cantered to a 51-28 win against Glamorgan Wanderers.

Maesteg Harlequins moved up to ninth with a 26-5 victory over bottom side Tata Steel.