Trebanos cup victory a season’s best - Lewis

TREBANOS secretary Adrian Lewis said his side played their best rugby of the season when defeating Maesteg Quins 34-5 in the second round of the WRU National Cup.

The Crows produced a powerful first-half display to lead 29-0.

Alun Dew, Steffan Lewis, Evan Budge, Rob Jones and Steff Duggan scored tries for the hosts. Lewis Humphries kicked three conversions and a penalty.

“It was our best performance of the season,” said Trebanos secretary Adrian Lewis. “We played some really good rugby.

“I think confidence was high after the performance against Tata before Christmas when we won with a bonus point over there, and you could see the boys were playing with a smile on their face and scored some lovely tries.”

Swansea saw off Narberth 27-10 at St Helen’s. They won despite having Greg Cunniffe sent off for a punch with Andrew Claypole, Mike Evans and Ifan Phillips getting tries.

Luke Griffiths converted all three and kicked two penalties.

“I was pleased to get a fourth win on the bounce, especially as we made quite a number of changes,” said Swansea director of rugby Richard Lancaster.

“Narberth came down here with a point to prove. I was a bit disappointed with our performance as we were a bit scrappy at times and not very accurate.

“It felt a bit like a pre-season game in that many of the boys hadn’t played together before so we lacked a bit of fluidity.

“Narberth made it difficult for us at the set-piece and breakdown.”

Otters head coach Sean Gale said: “I was proud of the boys and felt we were very much in the game. It could have been even better had a few key decisions not gone against us.

“We certainly had the upper hand at the set-piece, but we were a bit unlucky to get penalised at crucial moments.

“Our attitude in defence was superb and the boys rose to the occasion. Swansea scored two breakaway tries and are a class side who have improved.

“To be fair to Swansea they were great value for the victory, but from 1 to 22, I thought we were fantastic.”

Aberavon lost 15-10 to holders Merthyr at the Talbot Athletic Ground. Pontypridd, Bargoed, RGC 1404 and Bedwas also got through their firstround ties.

Neath were unable to raise a side so handed Pontypool a walkover. Bridgend, Cardiff Met, Cross Keys and Newbridge all had byes.