LOCAL RUGBY
RUTHLESS Pontypool ran in 10 tries as they inflicted a crushing 62-14 home defeat on Beddau to maintain their 100 per cent winning record in the Specsavers National Championship.
The champions were straight on the front foot at Mount Pleasant Park and had the bonus point in the bag inside 25 minutes thanks to tries from Lewis Ball, Jordan Thomas, Aaron Quick and Marcus Jones.
Jones was over again before the break and three Kieran Meek conversions gave Pooler a 31-0 half time lead.
Five more tries followed in the second half courtesy of skipper Scott Matthews, Geraint Walsh – again converted by Meek – Owain Leonard, Curtis Gregory and Pat Lewis.
Leonard and Gregory’s tries were converted by replacement kicker Matthew Lewis.
James Davies and Gareth Hopkins replied for Beddau, with both tries converted by Morgan Davies.
It was a 13th win out of 13 this season for Pooler and their 60th consecutive triumph in the Championship in their pursuit of a fourth title in a row.
Leighton Jones’ men remain 11 points clear of Bargoed – who also picked up maximum points as they saw off the challenge of Cardiff Met 45-20.
James Leadbeater and Jordan Howells were both at the double with Darren Humphries, Duane Dyer and Steffan Jones – who kicked five conversions – also dotting down.
Bargoed do still have a game in hand on Pontypool.
The eye-catching result of the day came at Pandy Park where Cross Keys stunned Gwent neighbours Bedwas 19-17.
A Connah Vaughan try and Kieran Hill conversion secured a third win from their last four for Keys, who also had Spencer Gibson and a penalty try on the scoresheet.
However it could prove a damaging second successive defeat for Bedwas, who are now 20 points off the pace. Mike Dacey grabbed both of their tries with Dion McIntosh kicking the rest.
Ystrad Rhondda made it backto-back wins away wins as four Rhys Truelove penalties saw them edge out Ystalyfera 12-8.
Tries from Elis Horgan, James Roberts, Matthew Pearce and Jordan Rees helped Neath beat Trebanos 27-0, while touchdowns from Michael Owen and Jay
Ronan – plus two penalties and a conversion from Geraint Evans – saw Maesteg Quins beat Glamorgan Wanderers 18-16.
Elsewhere a hat-trick from wing Dafydd Pritchard inspired Narberth’s 38-0 win over bottom side Tata Steel – who have now lost eight on the spin.
One East leaders Newbridge warmed up for next weekend’s National Plate quarter-final showdown against holders Brecon by dismantling Dowlais 91-0 – and scoring 15 tries in the process
Jimmy Gahan and Sam Watkins both helped themselves to hattricks.