SWALEC Division One East
Bargoed kept up the pressure on leaders Ebbw Vale at the top of Swalec Division One East with a five-try 27-17 win over Beddau at Bargoed Park.
The hosts recorded their seventh try-scoring bonus point of the season thanks to a brace of touchdowns from flanker Gareth Davies complemented with scores by fullback Andrew McLaughlin, wing Lewis Prothero and scrum half Michael Roberts.
Beddau’s response came though centres Bradley Coombes and Sam Campbell, as well as hooker Matthew Hunt.
Ebbw Vale won yet again, collecting a 21-16 at third-placed Gilfach Goch. Tries for the visitors came courtesy of Tom Macpherson, Dai Jones and Charlie Simpson, but the Steelmen missed out on a bonus point for just the second time all season.
Gilfach, whose try came from number 8 James Locke could even have snatched a late win, pressed for a winning try, but Ebbw were able to hold on for their seventh consecutive league victory.
Neil Burnett scored 11 points for fourth-placed Newbridge as they eased to a 19-8 triumph over Burnett’s former side Merthyr. Burnett, who left the Ironmen earlier this season, added three penalties to his conversion of fullback Ceri Young’s second-half try.
Fullback Gareth Cull was the difference between the sides as the Glamorgan Wanderers recorded an impressive 33-15 away success at Blackwood. Cull kicked four penalties and also converted all three of his side’s tries, which were scored by fullback Owen Marshall, hooker Mike Catris and centre Charlie Johnson. Replacement hooker Rhys Miller notched up a pair of scores for Blackwood.
Meanwhile, there were further defeats for the division’s bottom two sides. Mountain Ash let slip an 8-0 halftime lead as they lost 19-8 at Treorchy. Elsewhere, Tredegar were also the victims of a second-half fightback as they lost 22-21 at home to Rumney. The visitors trailed 14-3 at the break, but two tries in the first five minutes of the second period killed off hopes of a Tredegar win.
SWALEC Division One West
Narbeth stayed top of SWALEC League One West with an easy 43-5 win over Bridgend Athletic. Winger Matthew Davies crossed for a hat-trick as the home side ran in six tries in total. Fellow wing Nick Jones, centre Steve Martin and full-back Jonny Morgan all added further tries in what was a comprehensive victory.
With Narbeth winning easily, the pressure was on TATA Steel to keep up the pressure on their rivals at the top of the table, something they managed after a narrow victory at home to Carmarthen Athletic. Tries from back-row forwards Ben Davies and Rhys Tucker set up the 21-20 win, with Dickie Bird adding 11 points with the boot. Rhys Lewis and centre Viv Jenkins crossed for visiting Carmarthen and despite two conversions and two penalties from Mike Sauro they fell just one point short.
Elsewhere, Tondu sprang a surprise victory at home to fourth placed Llangennech. Tondu led 16-0 at half-time and never looked like relinquishing the lead. The two Matthew’s – Davies and Phillips crossed for tries as did prop Lloyd Elliott with full-back Gareth Walters doing likewise for the visitors.
Whitland stayed in third place after a 19-9 win away at UWIC. Flanker Ryan Mitchell scored the game’s only try in the second-half with James Stephenson adding 14 points with the boot. Rhys Robert’s three penalties for UWIC were not enough.
Llanharan and Bonymaen shared a six try thriller as the former triumphed 29-17 at Dairy Field. The game was level pegging at 17-17 at half-time but the home side pulled away in the second-half to hold on for the win. Wings Josh Austin and Steffan Jones both crossed with the referee also awarding the home side a penalty try. The visitors had a penalty try of their own too and despite Joe Millen also crossing, they came away with nothing.
In the battle between eighth and ninth, Waunarlwydd overcame Ammanford 37-17. Number 8 and Captain Nathan Hart led the way, inspiring his team to victory with two tries.
