Youth team flanker Ryan James capped a dream debut with a hat-trick of tries while outside-half Matthew Turner weighed in with a 25-point haul in the demolition that left Abercynon breathing down the neck of leaders Penallta.
Table-toppers Penallta continue to maintain their iron-grip on the division however with yet another bonus point victory, this time at home to Tredegar, but are now looking over their shoulders.
The Pitmen continued their unbeaten run, but only after they were put through their paces by stubborn opposition. Tries from brothers James and Andrew Powell, winger Andrew Jenkins and No.8 Geraint Thomas were enough to see Penallta home 26-16.
Ystrad Rhondda too remain unbeaten but were unconvincing 15-6 winners in a tryless encounter with Builth Wells. Outside half Wayne Jervis was his side’s saviour with five penalties.
Elsewhere, Treherbert owed their 22-19 triumph over Rhydyfelin to kicker Gareth Roberts who slotted a last minute penalty from 40 metres to take the points while Mountain Ash and Newport HSOB recorded home victories over Ynysybwl and Llanishen respectively.
It was a day of upsets in Division Three East as joint-leaders Abergavenny and Brynmawr both lost their unbeaten records this season and allowed Croesyceiliog to leapfrog them both to the top of the league.
Abergavenny went down 24-22 at Pontypool United in a thrilling contest that was decided by a last-gasp penalty by United fly half Morgan West while a single try from Blaina scrum half Thomas Edwards was enough to see for Brynmawr in a 5-0 victory, described as the best local derby for a long time.
Croesy took advantage with a 30-21 triumph at Rhymney and there were also wins for Cwmbran, Nelson and Garndiffaith.
Nantyglo are the outright leaders of Division Four after their 55-0 thrashing of Talywain and Gwernyfed’s failure to secure a bonus point in their 24-6 victory over Monmouth, while in Division Five Blaenavon moved clear at the top after accounting for Crumlin 24-12.
