Jack Maynard bagged 16 points that included a second-half try as the Drovers bounced back from two successive defeats with a 34-15 win.
After Maynard and Joseph Scrivens traded early penalties, Jack Parkinson grabbed the game’s opening try after 14 minutes before Corey Baldwin doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Fly-half Maynard then skipped through for a try that he converted early in the second half and Dafydd Hughes followed ten minutes later to complete a bonus-point win. Ashton Evans and Ryan Griffiths crossed for the Ravens but it was too late to save them from a third loss in a row.
Pontypridd launched a pulsating second-half fightback as they stunned league leaders Aberavon 22-11 at Sardis Road.
The Black & Whites trailed 11-10 at the break, but second half tries from Gary Williams and Rhys Shellard saw them ease to victory. Chris Dicomidis bagged their other score with captain Dafydd Lockyer – on his 300th game for Ponty – assisting two efforts.
Merthyr capitalised on that result to take top spot and it was a former Wizard – Richard Carter – that helped the Ironmen overtake his old club, but only after a nervy 32-26 win over fellow new-boys Swansea.
Fly-half Jac Wilson scored a try and two kicks to cancel out Kyle Evans’ try as Swansea held the hosts 10-10 at half-time at The Wern.
New signing Carter then scored a brace of tries but Criag Locke’s sin-bin opened the door for the All Whites who responded through Mike Sully and Ryan Evans. However a penalty try and the boot of Mathew Jarvis steered Merthyr top of the table.
That losing bonus saw Swansea close the gap on Bargoed, who once again slipped to a narrow defeat, losing 17-8 at Ebbw Vale.
Chris Levelsey’s first half try was cancelled out by former Wales rugby league international David Evans. And it was not until Bargoed were reduced to 13 men in the final minutes, after yellow cards for forwards Rhys Verdy and Alex Herbet, that the defending champions were able to wrap up a hard-fought win a penalty try.
That win saw the Steelmen close the gap on RGC 1404 who were overtaken in the league standings by their opponents Bedwas after a 27-17 loss at Bridge Field. It looked a different story when Tiann Loots scored for the North Walians in the opening minute. But four unanswered tries from George Lee, Phil Pariyo, Elliot Dee and Dan Preece saw them come from behind to take third place.
Newport continued their recent form after edging out Carmarthen Quins 25-24 to claim their fourth win in a row.
Rhodri Jones, Jon Morris, Reuben Tucker crossed for the Black & Ambers while Angus O’Brien kicked ten points.
However Quins came agonisingly close to snatching the win when Shaun Evans, Tom Williams, Chris Banfield and Gethin Robinson all crossed but centre Joshua Batcup missed a last-ditch drop goal.
Cardiff continued to climb the table after claiming their fourth win in five games, beating Cross Keys 38-14 at the BT Sport Arms Park. The Blue & Blacks ran in four tries before half-time through Williams Rees-Hole (two), Ceri Young and James Beal. Wales Under-20s wing Barney Nightingale twice responded for Keys.
Llanelli survived a second-half Neath fightback to come out on top in a thrilling 31-22 battle at The Gnoll.
Billy McBryde, Dion Jones and Owain Morgan crossed for Llanelli who led 21-3 at half-time.
But Iwan Evans, Kieran Williams and Ed Howley all scored tries as Neath threatened a comeback that was finally ended by Rhys Fawcett’s try.
