Fish steps up to make sure for Cardiff

IT has been a cruel few weeks for Ebbw Vale and a second-half try from Wales U20 full-back Cam Winnett was another kick in the teeth for them in their final game of the season.

Jason Strange’s side may not have been able to break into the top four to bag a semi-final slot, but they are undoubtedly the most improved team of the season in the Indigo Premiership.

They were effectively written out of the playoff picture when Llanelli threw in the towel for their final two games and presented five free points to both Merthyr and Newport. It meant that even before their clash with Cardiff they couldn’t move out of fifth place.

Cardiff got off to a faltering start. Evan Lloyd kicked an early penalty for the home side, the Blue & Blacks then lost James Beal with an injury and flanker Nathan Hudd to a yellow for a high tackle.

While he was away, The Steelmen conjured up a for Lewis Young which Lloyd improved to extend their lead to 10 points. The gauntlet had been well and truly laid down and Cardiff had to turn to their most experienced head to change the game.

Dan Fish had been the man of the match six days earlier in the cup final and it was his try that got Cardiff back into the contest. James added the extras and then kicked a penalty on the stroke of half-time to level things.

That made it 13-13 and it took the try from Winnett to win it for Cardiff and take them above Merthyr and Llandovery in the race for top spot and a home semi-final.

PONTYPOOL were forced to come from behind three times before holding onto their unbeaten record in the Championship as they head towards a possible league and cup double.

Having held off a spirited Ystrad Rhondda at Principality Stadium to pick up the WRU Champions Cup, they found themselves stretched to almost breaking point in Narberth as The Otters gave them another tough test before going down 33-28.

Scott Matthews converted a driving line-out for the opening score before Jonathan Rogers dropped a goal for the home side. Ilan Phillips bagged the first home try, which Nick Gale converted, and then Fraser Jones scored on his debut to put the home side 15-5 up midway in the first half.

Tries from Matthews and wing Matt Powell enabled Pooler to regain the lead, but a Gale penalty made it a one point game at the break. The visitors lost try scorer Powell to a yellow card and a try to Lewys Gibby which Gale improved to regain the lead at 25-19.

Back came Pooler with a penalty try before Gale kicked another penalty to put The Otters back in front in the 65th minute. Pooler finally made things safe with a Ieuan Jones try and a conversion and penalty from Jarvis to win a thriller 33-28.

Neath skipper Ryan Evans marked his 100th appearance for the Welsh All Blacks with a try iin their 28-20 win at Maesteg Quins, while Bedwas head coach Steffan Sankala had to put himself on the replacements bench or the game with Trebanos,

Cardiff Met were too strong for Ystalyfera on the road as they ran out convincing winners by 45-17 and Glamorgan Wanderers’ winning run came to an end as Ystrad Rhondda bounced back from their cup final defeat to win 43-28 in Ely, the visitors scoring 31 second half points.