Ebbw edged out inWoods’ first match at helm
THE Greg Woods era at Ebbw Vale started with a narrow 18-15 defeat to Newport at Rodney Parade
Tries from fly-half Dai Langdon and captain Ronny Kynes, right, gave the Steelmen the perfect start inside 10 minutes, with Dan Haymond adding a conversion.
Newport hit back through a Matt O’Brien penalty after Ebbw’s Cameron Regan saw red but Haymond added his own three-pointer to keep the Steelmen in control.
The Black and Ambers continued to attack and eventually got their first try of the game when prop Nicky Boyce exploited a gap of space to force the ball over the whitewash.
And the hosts completed their comeback in the second half with O’Brien kicking five points and Adam Sabri crashing over.
Elsewhere, reigning champions Merthyr came from behind to beat Bedwas 34-23 at the Bridge Field.
Rhys Williams’ last-gasp try ensured the Ironmen claimed a bonus point following earlier tries from Rhys Downes, Kristian Phillips and Nathan Trevett. Richard Powell kicked 12 points while Matthew Jarvis came off the bench to boot a conversion.
Steffan Jones kicked 11 of Bedwas’ 23 points with the rest coming from a Rhys Hutcherson touch down and a penalty try.
Meanwhile, Neath’s poor form continued as they were pummelled 41-15 by Cross Keys at the Gnoll.
Scrum-half Scott Gibson and wing Geraint Llewellyn were on the scoresheet for the Welsh All Blacks with fullback Ed Howley kicking the other five points but Keys, who have struggled at the Gnoll in recent years, ran in six tries to brush them aside.
Hooker Darren Hughes was at the double while prop Scott Evans, centre Leon Andrews, centre Phil Williams and skipper Scott Matthews all followed him over. Fly-half Josh Prosser added the rest with his boot to give Morgan Stoddart his first league win as Keys head coach.
Pontypridd also enjoyed a big score as they ran riot to thrash Llanelli 59-14 at Sardis Road.
Wing Alex Webber and lock Chris Dicomidis led the charge with a brace each while wing Dale Stuckey, number eight Hemi Barnes, fly-half Diggy Bird, replacement scrum-half Wayne Evans and Huw Dowden all added further tries. Bird converted seven of the nine tries.
Full-back Leon Randell and centre Ben Atkins hit back for Llanelli with former Ponty man Lewis William converting both tries.
In other action, Carmarthen Quins edged to a 21-15 victory over Aberavon at The Park to continue their good league form.
Both sides crashed over twice with scrum-half Aron Hemmings and wing Dale Ford scoring for Quins and Stuart Nicholas and Stef Andrews on the ball for the Wizards.
But it was the kickers who decided this game as Jac Wilson kicked 11 points while Steffen Williams only managed five.
Swansea turned on the forward power as they eased to victory over Bargoed at a wet St Helen’s.
They won 22-8 with tries from Steffan Jones, Jon Vaughan and Josh Guy, with Gareth Walters kicking seven points. Bargord’s consolation try came from Grant Rogers.
Meanwhile, Gareth Thompson inspired Cardiff to a 23-13 win at Bridgend.
The fly half booted 13 points with wing Jack Phillips and number eight Tom Daley claiming Cardiff’s tries.
Bridgend replied through centre Nathan Edwards and hooker Iestyn Merriman while Ryan Evans booted a penalty.
Llandovery’s fixture with RGC 1404 at Church Bank was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.