SWALEC Division One West
Aled Roberts echoed Ronan O’Gara by kicking a last second drop goal to make sure Llangennech stayed top of SWALEC League 1 West. Llangennech fought back from 15-3 down at half-time to eventually beat UWIC 21-18. Tries from Pierre Tucker and Kyle Taylor and the boot of Rhyddian Morris looked to have given UWIC a comfortable lead. But second–half scores from centre Rhodri Jones and Stuart Miller brought the hosts back into the game. And it was Roberts’ boot that was the difference, his last minute drop goal sealing the comeback.
TATA Steel kept up the pressure on Llangennech at the top of the table after a 24-18 win over Tondu. TATA were outscored by three tries to none but thankfully for the home side fly-half Diggy Bird had an outstanding day. He controlled the game from no. 10 landing a total of seven penalties and a drop goal. Joey Heatley and the two Matthew’s – Davies and Morgan crossed for Tondu but it was not enough.
Elsewhere, Narbeth ran in five tries as they easily dispatched Waunarlwydd 42-21 at the Lewis Lloyd Ground. Wing Tom Bonner and full-back Jonathan Morgan each crossed twice as did Captain and centre Steve Martin. Nick Jones added three conversions and a penalty. The visitors scored three tries themselves including one for Daniel Fox. All three were converted by Jonathan Davies but it was not enough.
Carmarthen Athletic recorded a late 19 v 17 victory over Llanharan courtesy of two late tries from Gareth Bennett and Rhys Lane. The visitors held a slender 3 v 0 advantage at the break but then raced ahead with tries from Scott Malone and Matthew Strong. Scott Maynard then dived over to give the hosts hope and that was followed by Bennett’s score with four minutes remaining. Then in a dramatic finish Carmarthen attacked from the re-start resulting in Lane’s try, which Maynard converted to win the match.
Lowly Bonymaen registered a narrow 15-14 win over Bridgend Athletic. Paul Davies and full-back Danny Jones crossed for Bonymaen as they outscored their visitors by two tries to one. Paul Warlow kicked the rest of the points.
In another close game, Whitland beat Ammanford 28-23 at the Recreation Ground. Ammanford actually outscored their opponents by four tries to three but had to settle with just the bonus point. Wayne Price, Matthew Lemon and Owen Humphries added to a penalty try for Ammanford but their failure to add the extras came back to haunt them. Wing David Williams was among the scorers for Whitland but three penalties and a conversion from Scott Newton proved the difference.
SWALEC Division One East
Ebbw Vale extended their lead at the top of SWALEC Division One East with a comprehensive 50-11 victory over Glamorgan Wanderers. With a total of seven tries and six conversions, the home side extended their lead over Bargoed, who still sit second. Tom MacPherson and Dan Haymond ran in two tries each.
Bargeod maintained their pressure on Ebbw Vale at the top as they comfortably beat Rumney 38-14 at Riverside Park to make it 12 wins this season.
It was Bargoed’s power going forward that proved too much for the hosts to handle, as a total of five tries, all converted, proved to be the difference between the two sides. It was the visitors’ Matthew Hurley who took the limelight, scoring one try, one penalty and five successful conversions.
Bottom-of-the-league Tredegar finally saw success for the first time this season, as they edged past Newbridge 23-17 away at The Welfare Ground.
Tredegar ran in two tries, both converted, as they held their 10-9 lead from half time.
Alan Jenkins and Matt McEovan beat the Newbridge defence, while Scott Amber and Gregg Jones kept their heads as they kicked the ball successfully between the posts. Jones was also on-song as he converted three penalties to scupper the home side’s attempt to keep the heat on league leaders Ebbw Vale.
In what was a clash between two sides trying to break into the top three, Gilfach Goch proved to be too much for Merthyr as their 33-15 victory saw them edge that little bit closer to the top of the league. With four tries, two of which were converted, and three penalties, Gilfach Goch have closed the gap on Newbridge.
Treorchy’s second half display proved too much for Blackwood to handle as they turned around a 13-0 deficit to win 15-13. It was Celyn Ashton’s conversion that proved to be the difference between the two sides who sit side-by-side in the table.
Beddau responded to last week’s loss against Rumney with a convincing victory over Mountain Ash. With tries from Bradley Coombes, Cameron Pimlow and David Francis, the visitor’s turned around their half time deficit to win 29-19.
