Coach hails Bargoed’s character
BARGOED head coach Mike Pugsley was pleased with his side’s character as they dug deep to preserve their perfect start to the Championship season with a 22-20 win over a tough Neath side.
Pugsley said: “I’m delighted for us to pass a difficult test against Neath. We lacked discipline at times which was very nearly our undoing.
“I can’t fault the effort of the team and to make it eight from eight takes some doing.”
Despite being behind for most of the game after tries from Ryan Evans and Aaron Grabham, Bargoed fought back courtesy of scores from Jordan Howells, Adam Powell and James Leadbetter to win an enthralling contest.
Second-placed Bedwas secured their seventh win of the season with a 21-3 win at a wet and muddy Beddau. Rory Harries scored a brace and Dale Rogers also crossed, with Matty Bancroft kicking six points.
Reigning champions Pontypool made it four wins from five as they beat a tough Narberth side 29-17 at a packed Lewis Lloyd Ground. Hooker Darren Hughes was the first of five try-scorers for Pontypool. The other four tries went to Ethan Davies, Aaron Quick, Patrick Lewis and Scott Matthews.
Pooler coach Leighton Jones said: “It was good to see us win a difficult game.
“I thought our attacking quality proved decisive and in general we coped well with what Narberth threw at us.”
Cardiff Met secured back-toback league wins with a 21-5 victory over Ystrad Rhondda. Ewan Bowden gave the Archers their first try and Jake Bond added another. Haydn Lidstone kicked the rest of the Met points.
Tata Steel remain bottom after losing their seventh straight game, Maesteg Harlequins winning 19-3. There were also wins for Cross Keys and Glamorgan Wanderers over Ystalyfera and Trebanos.
In One West Central, Skewen made it five wins from five with a hard-fought 24-17 victory at Tondu. The visitors scored four tries courtesy of John Adderley, Ellis Bennett, Lee Dunsford and Morgan Meachlem.
Mountain Ash made it six out of six in the East Central division with a 24-0 win over Rhiwbina. Two tries by David Richards and scores from Steven Brittain and Ewan Rees took the game away from the visitors.
Penclawdd remain winless in One West as a strong Whitland side proved too big a test.
Cousins Gino and Nico Setaro scored two of Whitland’s four tries in a 38-10 win.