Last season’s beaten finalists Ystalyfera had diminutive full back Steffan Castle to thank for a last gasp drop goal to earn their passage into the next round. His kick settled the game against visiting Bonymaen 8-5.
The visitors went ahead after only three minutes with a try from Connor Salter, but Jonathan Williams levelled matters on the stroke of half-time. The game seemed destined for extra-time before Castle struck the winner deep into injury time.
There was also a late winner at Crymych, where centre Ifan Phillips held his nerve to slot the crucial penalty that earned his side a 27-25 home win over Tondu. When the visitors’ were 15 points ahead going into the final quarter they looked set for a ticket into the next round.
Crymych didn’t panic though, and a try from No 8 Osian Davies that Phillips improved cut the gap to eight points. Phillips then crashed through for a try of his own and slotted the conversion to make it a one point game with 10 minutes to go.
Phillips then stepped up to take his match tally to 17 points with a crucial penalty that gave his side the lead for the first time in the match. The drama didn’t end there, however, as Josh Tatchell had a kick at the death to win in for Tondu, but he pushed his kick wide.
Mountain Ash had two tries from second row David Richards, both converted by wing Will Holley, to thank for their 14-6 home win over St Joseph’s. The visitors led 6-0 with 10 minutes to go on a snow covered pitch, but the power of the home pack shone through in the end.
It was equally tense at Llantrisant, where Ynysybwl came out on top 16-14. The home side led 11-10 at the break, but the boot of Alun Thomas steered the ‘Bwl home. Thomas added two second half penalties to the one he kicked in the first half and the conversion of Lewys Ryan’s try.
Glamorgan Wanderers had 11 points from the boot of Luke Fish to thank for their 28-25 triumph at Aberystwyth. There were also tries from Cameron Gibbon, Aaron Folwer and Phil Pariyo for the visitors.
Ruthin and Nant Conwy ensured the North Wales flag continues to fly high in the competition as they both picked up wins down south. Ruthin ran out 33-17 winners at Croesyceiliog, while Nanty Conwy triumphed 27-24 at Whitland to become the first team to win at LLwyn Ty Gwyn this season.
Hooker Danny Miller gave Ruthin a flying start in Gwent with a driving line-out try that outside half Nathan Jones converted. Croesy replied with a try from Rhys Wells, but there was no holding the Gogs as they worked wings Josh Wilson and Gethin Hughes over for tries that Jones improved.
The home side cut the gap from 16 points to four with two tries by Micky Witts, one of which was converted by Luke Brown, and the game was back in the melting pot. A fourth try for the visitors on the stroke of half-time by Emyr Gwynedd made it 26-17 to them at the break and Wilson’s second in the second half made the game safe.
Back row men Carwyn Ellis and Gethin Vaughan combined to see Nant Conwy through as they scored all three tries. No 8 Ellis crashed over twice and outside half Arthur Lennon converted all three scores and added a penalty and drop goal for good measure
WRU National Plate – Round 3
Aberystwyth 25, Glamorgan Wanderers 28
Croesyceiliog 17, Ruthin 33
Crymych 27, Tondu 25
Llantrisant 14, Ynysybwl 16
Mountain Ash 14, St Joseph’s 6
Whitland 24, Nant Conwy 27
Ystalyfera 8, Bonymaen 5
Postponed
Blaenavon v Waunarlwydd
Cwmgors v Penallta
Maesteg v Gorseinon
Maesteg Celtic v Pwllheli
Byes
Brynmawr, Maesteg Quins, Nelson, Treorchy & Ystrad Rhondda
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