The Welsh All Blacks registered tries through Alec Jenkins, Alun Jones and Craig Price, with Iwan Evans kicking 12 points, to notch only their second win of the season. Bargoed got the better of the try tally thanks to a penalty try and scores for Lewis Protheroe, Ashley Norton and Lewis Weyman, but could only add one of the conversions as Matthew Hurley had a difficult day with the boot.
The visitors had a far from ideal start when Neath wing Jenkins picked off a stray pass in midfield and ran in the interception, with Evans converting. Protheroe barged his way over in response for Bargoed, but they lose full-back Lee Pearson to the sin bin for a high tackle before Evans kicked a penalty and then converted replacement Jones try after a swift counter-attack by the home side.
However, Bargoed hit back as they did well to work Norton over the line before the break to keep them within range. Another interception score from flanker Price looked to have put the game to bed, only for Bargoed to hit back through Weyman’s finish.
Tempers flared as a brawl saw Bargoed have prop Rhys Morgan dismissed and Neath lose flanker Jones to the bin. But the visitors kept pushing and a penalty try after a strong forward effort was not quite enough to cause an upset as they fell agonisingly short.
An impressive display from Carmarthen outside half Craig Evans helped the Quins beat Newport in Round One of the SSE Swalec Cup at a chilly Rodney Parade. Evans secured two assists as well as 15 points from the boot to gift the Quins the victory and set-up a home second round tie with Bedwas.
The away side made the better start as Evans kicked a penalty inside five minutes to gift them the lead. Newport, who had not played since 5 December, looked rusty early on, but soon found their rhythm as prop Alex Jeffries crossed over with Julian Mogg adding the conversion.
Just three minutes later, The Quins responded through wing Iolo Evans who raced in from the left hand-side to score under the posts and give the visitors the narrow lead. Newport struggled to penetrate the Carmarthen defence as the visitors lost Haydn Pugh to the sin bin following three infringements.
With the extra man, the home side failed to take advantage. The game took a lengthy delay as Newport’s Dan Partridge required treatment as to what looked a serious looking injury. The Quins pulled even further ahead late on in the half through Dylan Morgans’ converted try and another Evans penalty.
In the 61st minute Newport closed the gap to eight points following James Greenfield’s try, but soon after lost Rhodri Jones to the sin-bin following a high tackle. The Quins soon made the most of the man advantage, as Evans’ clever cross kick from the penalty met the open arms of Lee Williams who dived over in the corner before the outside half hit a last minute penalty to secure the win.
Bedwas survived a tricky trip to Pontypool Park, where first-half tries from centre Mike Callow and full back Matthew John allowed them to lead 12-3 at the break. They survived losing two players to the sin-bin, George Lee in the first half and Keiron Jenkins three minutes from time, to win 19-11.
The visitor’s third try came from wing Rory Budina 12 minutes from time and James Dixon added his second conversion of the day. Championship side Pontypool also lost a player to a yellow card in the first-half, Rob Nash joining Lee on the sideline, and Tom Hancock kicked a penalty to get his side on the board.
Hancock hit the upright with a second shot at goal just before the break and failed to convert a try from centre Sione Tu’ipulotu that cut the gap to four points.
Hancock then kicked his second penalty to make it a one point game, but Budina’s try made the game safe for Bedwas and earned them a second round trip to Carmarthen Quins.
High flying Merthyr ran in four tries on the road at Narberth to earn a 28-0 victory that sets up a second round trip to Parc y Scarlets to face Llanelli. Tries from centre Tom Hiscock and wing Alex Howman gave the Ironmen a 10-0 lead at the break.
In the second half there were further tries from Dan Parry and Osian Davies and full back Matthew Jarvis kicked two penalties and a conversion.
