Fera handed title boost as Bony suffer surprise loss
YSTALYFERA can take a giant stride towards the One West Central title this evening with victory at Maesteg Quins.
It was a good weekend for Fera without even playing after nearest challengers Bonymaen crashed 15-11 at home against Tondu.
Tries from Paul Smithson and James Leppard, with a conversion and penalty from Josh Tatchell, together with a stirring defensive performance sealed victory for Tondu, their fifth on the spin.
A late try for flanker Nicky Clancy made for a tense finish, but on the day Tondu were deserved winners.
Richard Cunniffe kicked two penalties for Bonymaen but, just a week on from the euphoria of reaching the WRU National Plate final, this surprise defeat may well have handed the title to Ystalyfera.
The latter hold a five-point advantage heading into tonight’s match, after which both they and Bonymaen have just three league matches remaining.
Treble-chasing Ystalyfera head to Waunarlwydd on Saturday with Bonymaen hosting Maesteg Celtic.
Celtic are certainly no mugs, as Glynneath found out last Saturday on their way to a 21-10 defeat. That defeat left Glynneath 13 points behind Ystalyfera.
Elsewhere in One West Central, Waunarlwydd were crushing 53-14 winners against Brynaman and Ammanford returned from Skewen with 23-19 victory.
Then a week tomorrow Ystalyfera lock horns with Two West table-toppers Birchgrove at Glynneath for a place in the final of this season’s High Motive Glamorgan County Silver Ball.
Senghenydd and Nantyffyllon meet in the first semi-final at Llanharan this evening.
Ystalyfera also have a West Wales Cup final against Glynneath to look forward to although a date and venue have yet to be confirmed.
The top two in One West Central, Birchgrove and Nantyffyllon, were not in league action last weekend.
There were wins for Resolven, Builth Wells, Ystradgynlais, Seven Sisters and Porthcawl, who cruised to a 43-7 triumph over Taibach at South Road.
Jake Thomas and Ben Thomas both crossed twice for the Seaweeds, with Aled Davies, Ben Asprea and Leon McNally also dotting down in a seven-try win. Josh White added four conversions.
There is set to be an exciting finish in store in Three West Central A with a number of clubs chasing the top two places.
Abercrave, who only have one game left, still lead the way but are sitting ducks with the four sides immediately chasing having multiple games in hand.
Pyle thumped Abercrave 41-0 and are now just a point behind with five games in hand.
Swansea Uplands are a point back in third with four games in hand. Uplands were 29-17 home victors over Bryncoch.
Gareth Andrew scored twice, with Alex Greenslade and Nathan Withers also going over. Tom Osbourne added the conversions while Dan Bennett kicked a penalty.
The big winners of the weekend were Vardre, who ran out crushing 82-15 winners at Penlan. Bridgend Sports racked up 59 points at home against Aberavon Green Stars.
Vardre host Bridgend Sports this evening. Vardre are fourth and three points behind Abercrave with five games in hand, while Sports are seven points back with seven games in hand.
Elsewhere, there were wins for Cwmgors and Glais.
In Three West Central B Baglan defeated Bryncethin 31-0 and are eight points clear of Cwmllynfell although they have played two games more.
Cwmllynfell romped to a 63-5 win at Rhigos. There were braces for Kieran Griffiths, Dan Jenkins and Owain Sullivan, while Michael Maddocks, Dylan Anthony Morgans and a penalty try were also on the scoresheet. Chris Murphy kicked eight conversions.
The Rhigos try was scored by Lewis Morgan.