LOCAL RUGBY
TABLE-TOPPERS Pontypool taught the students of Cardiff Met a lesson to make it a top 10 in the National Championship. Rhodri Usher and Ben Sparks both helped themselves to hat-tricks as Pooler racked up double figures to maintain their 100 per cent winning record with a crushing 68-5 victory.
Ben Egan, Ollie Drake, Josh Hurley and Aaron Coundley also had their try-scoring boots on, with Matthew Jones (6) and Tom Hancock adding the conversions – while Rory Grant scored the visitors’ try.
Pontypool remain nine points ahead of Narberth and Tata Steel, who both picked up their eighth wins from 10 games respectively.
A brace from Jordan Skidmore, a penalty try and Bleddyn Davies inspired Tata to a 26-22 comeback home victory against Glamorgan Wanderers – having trailed 22-14 at the break.
Lloyd Chalke scored twice for the Wanderers with Michael O’Neill also scoring and Callum Bricknell booting two conversions and a penalty.
Narberth won in emphatic fashion, running home eight tries in a 50-20 victory at Dunvant.
Nick Gale was as the double as well as booting five conversions, with Pat Roberts, Jonathan Hughes, Rhys Lane, Joe Hutchings and Oli Reyland also touching down.
Charlie Samways and Ceri Davies replied for Dunvant, with both tries converted by Richard Lewis who also booted two penalties.
Three Anthony Buselli penalties edged Skewen to a narrow 9-8 victory over basement boys Newbridge while Simon Veall earned the visitors a losing bonus point with three kicks from the tee.
Elsewhere Glynneath won 27-21 at home against Beddau with Jordan Griffiths and Ben Jones scoring their tries while Dylan Francis booted five penalties and a conversion.
Tom Sheppard and Glen Slater scored for Beddau with Callum Wheeler kicking three penalties and a conversion.
Meanwhile tries from Ryan Morgan and Llyr Jones inspired Newcastle Emlyn to a 24-20 win at Bedlinog.
Dan Davies added a conversion and three penalties with Shaun Leonard kicking a drop goal.
In One West, Kidwelly march on at the top after their 16-8 win at Felinfoel – a seventh victory from eight games.
Sion Pearce and Callum Price got the visitors’ tries with Elliot Davies booting two penalties.
They remain a point clear of Llanelli Wanderers who also won for the seventh time this term as tries from Elgan Jones, Rhydian Morgan and Ben Williams inspired a 33-24 win over Penclawdd, with Jonathan George kicking three conversions and four penalties.
In One West Central, leaders Aberavon Quins’ scheduled home game with Bridgend Athletic was postponed and that gave Trebanos the chance to close the gap to four points as they moved up to second with a 22-17 win over Bonymaen.
Tom Dew, Matthew Jones and Aled Dew got the tries for Trebanos, with Jones adding their extras from the tee as Bonymaen, who had occupied second spot, slip to third.
Maesteg are fourth in the table and five points off the summit after their magnificent seven-try 48-21 home win over bottom side Cwmllynfell – with Kieron John’s try treble leading the way.
In One North, leaders Pwllhelli’s home game with Abergele was postponed and gave second-placed Nant Conwy the chance to close the gap to three points with an eight-try 55-5 victory at winless bottom side Ruthin.
Arthur Lennon and Gwion Ellis Jones were both at the double in the win.
There was an outstanding individual performance in Two North West as Rhys Hughes scored five tries and booted seven conversions in Llanfeni’s crushing 14-try 88-7 home win over Bangor.
In Two East, leaders Abercarn were stunned 24-18 at home by thirdplaced Ynysddu.
Steffan Thomas scored twice for the visitors with Kurt Mogford also going over while Jeremy Roberts added the extras.