Newport triumph in Gwent derby
NEWPORT moved level on points with Premiership leaders Llandovery after winning the Gwent derby 31-25 at Ebbw Vale to make it 11 straight bonus-point victories on the spin.
A last-gasp try from replacement lock Elliot Ferriman snatched victory from the jaws of defeat at Eugene Cross Park.
Scrum-half Che Hope, wing Elliot Frewen and hooker Henry Palmer also crashed over the Black and Ambers with outside half Matt O’Brien converting all four tries along with a penalty goal.
Having trailed 17-13 at the break, a brace of second half tries from replacement hooker Joe Franchi had helped put Ebbw 25-24 ahead and on their way to a fourth successive win over Newport – until Ferriman intervened.
Wing Jordan Thomas scored in the first half for Ebbw. Both of their tries were converted by Evan Lloyd who also kicked two penalties.
Newport host Llandovery on Thursday night in a top of the table showdown.
Cardiff tightened their grip on fourth as they overcame Swansea 38-33 in an 11-try thriller at the Arms Park – before it was announced head coach Steve Law will depart at the end of the season.
Wing Kodie Stone’s try after two minutes gave Cardiff the perfect start but three tries in five minutes from the visitors saw them hit the front.
Brandon Wood responded on 19 minutes before he turned provider for full-back Harri Houston to score a second try, converted by Rhys Jones. No.8 Cai Davies soon added a third which again Jones improved as the visitors threatened to run riot, leading 19-5.
But back rower Craig Hudd’s try, converted by Arwel Robson, pulled the hosts back to within seven points at the break and three tries in a 20 minute period after the break through skipper Morgan Allen, centre Harrison James and scrum-half Joe Williams swung the match their way.
Swansea weren’t finished with replacement Gareth J Rees scoring twice to secure them two bonus points, both converted by Jacob Symes, either side of a sixth Cardiff try scored by lock Sean Moore. Robson added his fourth conversion of the match.
Four second-half tries saw Pontypridd recover from trailing at the break
to run out 30-16 winners over Aberavon at Sardis Road to make it three wins out of three for interim head coach Chris Dicomidis.
Chris Banfield’s early try and eight points from the boot of James Davies, against two Ben Burnell penalties for the home side, saw Aberavon with their noses in front 13-6 at half-time. Davies kicked his third penalty after the break but the second half belonged to Pontypridd with Niko Matawalu, Josh Phillips, Ryan Wilkins and Ben Stephens securing maximum points. Burnell converted the Wilkins and Stephens tries.
Pontypool also took maximum points after overcoming 14-man Neath 40-24 in a fiery encounter at the Gnoll.
A breathless first half yielded three tries apiece, a red card for Neath prop Jack Powell and yellow cards for Pooler skipper Scott Matthews and centre Joel Mahoney.
Neath, who scored all of their points in the first half, led 24-21 at the break thanks to tries from centre Kieran Charles, No.8 Taine Morgan and wing Ryan Griffiths, all converted by Steff Williams who also kicked a penalty.
Mahoney and Mike Herbert dotted down in the first half for Pooler – who were awarded a penalty try by referee Gareth Newman after 27 minutes after Neath were repeatedly pinged for infringements in the scrum. Things then got heated with Powell shown a red card as a result. Mahoney, Marcus Jones and Sam Scarfe scored for Pooler in the second half. Matthew Jarvis converted five of their six tries.
Meanwhile cup finalists Merthyr, in seventh, overcame Carmarthen Quins 36-34 in an 11-try ding dong at the Wern.
Merthyr ran in six tries with wing Jack Kathrens at the double. Jack Perkins, Ethan Lloyd, Callum Bradbury and Josh Lewis also scored tries with the latter adding three conversions.
A late Iestyn Merriman try secured a 23-20 victory for Bridgend at RGC. Edd Howley also scored for Bridgend with Jamin Hodgkins converting both tries along with three penalties. Jordon Liney and Jessie Williams scored for RGC with Sam Earl-Jones kicking 10 points.