As disappointed as he was to see his side go down 22-15 at home to Cardiff, he was happy to see his team chasing the win right to the death. In the end, a losing bonus point kept the Wizards four points clear at the top and well in the hunt for a top eight finish at the end of the first phase of the season.
“Losing to a try off the last play of the game is bitterly disappointing, but it came from a turn over as we were trying to score at the other end to win the game. Cardiff deserved their victory and it underlined the harsh truth of this league – if you play badly, you lose,” said Hyatt.
“It was impractical to think we could go the whole season without losing and I’d have bitten your hand off at the start of the season to be four points clear after eight games. We’ve put ourselves in with a great chance of finishing in the top eight at the half-way mark of the season and that was always the first goal.
“We’ve got a really tough batch of games coming up before Christmas, starting with our trip to Bedwas this weekend, and any thoughts of winning the title are a long way off.”
It was the second smash and grab raid performed by Cardiff on Aberavon this season as they robbed the Premiership leaders of their unbeaten record with a last minute try from James Beal. The Blue & Blacks had pipped the Wizards 25-24 in a Challenge Cup clash at the Arms Park last month with a last minute penalty.
It was Diggy Bird who got the scoreboard rolling with a penalty, but a loose pass by the visitors allowed Lee Purnell to cross for try for the league leaders. The power of the Cardiff scrum earned Bird two more penalty shots before the break and that enabled them to go into the break 9-5 ahead.
Bird added a drop goal to extend the lead to seven points, but the Wizards were able to conjure up a 72nd minute try from hooker Ieuan Davies that James Garland improved to make it 15-15. The last eight minutes were fast and furious and a neat blindside break set up Beal for his match winning try at the posts which Bird converted.
A clinical first-half display from Carmarthen Quins secured them a 23-17 victory that allowed them to move to within a point of their hosts in fifth place. Quins took an explosive lead in the first minute with wing Morgan Griffiths powering through some lacklustre Bedwas defence to touch down.
After an exchange of penalties the home side hit back with a try of their own, winger Pat Lewis running in from his own 22 after some sloppy Quins passing with no one able to catch him. Full-back Gavin Thomas was unlucky not to score after a clever chip and chase, but just before the half-time whistle Quins were awarded a penalty try after a sustained period of scrum pressure, going into the break with a comfortable lead.
Bedwas prop Brynley Toms was sent to the sin-bin shortly after the break, but the home side were able to weather the storm in a well-fought second period. Wing Phillip Pariyo gave Bedwas some hope as the match wore on with the only try of the second-half, but ultimately Quins held on for a hard-earned victory with Bedwas tasting their first defeat at home this season.
There were four red cards shown in the battle between Llandovery and Pontypridd at Church Bank before the Drovers emerged with a significant, bonus-point 37-3 victory. The red mist descended as firstly home full-back Lee Rees was sent-off, before a mass punch up saw Ponty’s Dan Godfrey and Owen Sheppeard given their marching orders by referee Gareth Newman, along with Llandovery’s Richard Brooks.
Rhodri Jones bagged a brace to add to tries from Richard Smith and Dafydd Hughes for the home side, while Ponty could only muster a Callum Hall penalty. Jack Maynard converted Smith’s tries and kicked two to give the Drovers a 13-3 half-time lead.
Rees was then red carded for taking his man out in the air to spark an ill-tempered second-half. Former Wales Under 20 hooker Hughes then crashed over before Williams went in at the corner. Replacement Jones then sliced through the defence with Maynard adding his fourth conversion for a 37-3 triumph.
Bridgend Ravens outside half Joe Scrivens helped himself to half of his side’s points as he bagged 20 in an amazing 40-10 win over high-flying Merthyr. The home side were 20-3 ahead at the break and picked up a full set of five points as they ran in four tries.
Ryan Griffiths, Joe Gatt, Owain Lloyd and Mike Powell ran in the tries and Scrivens converted all of them and added four penalties. Ellis Wyn Benham scored a try for Merthyr and Matt Jarvis kicked five points.
There was a brilliant personal battle between the two outside half at Parc Eirias as home hero Jacob Botica and Billy McBryde scored 18 points apiece as RGC 1404 drew 23-23 with visiting Llanelli. Botica helped himself to two of the Gogs’ three tries, while McBryde kicked five penalties and added a drop goal.
Botica also kicked two penalties and added a conversion, while Tim Grey also pounced for an RGC try. It was an opportunity missed by Mark Jones’ side as the two teams ahead of them in the league, Aberavon and Merthyr, both lost.
Josh Prosser made a happy return to former club Bargoed as he kicked 13 points in Cross Keys’ 23-16 win that earned his side a first win on the road this season. He kicked three penalties and converted a penalty try and another touchdown from Simon Williams.
The home side had tries from David Evans and Duane Dyer, while Calum Jones kicked two penalties. Bargoed are now two points ahead of basement side Swansea with only one win after eight games.
PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP – ROUND 9
Friday, 11 November
Cross Keys v RGC 1404 19:30
Saturday, 12 November
Bedwas v Aberavon 13:30
Bridgend v Llanelli 13:00
Cardiff v Bargoed 13:30
Ebbw Vale v Carmarthen Quins 13:30
Merthyr v Neath 13:30
Pontypridd v Swansea 13:30
