Dafydd Lockyer’s side followed up their 37-15 victory at Bedwas with an even more convincing seven try, 45-12 triumph over Ebbw Vale at Sardis Road. Dale Stuckey picked up two tries, his second bagging the bonus point with only 15 minutes gone.
The game was refereed by Ireland’s women’s international official Joy Neville, the first female referee used in a Premiership fixture, and she sent Ebbw wing Toby Fricker to the sin-bin in the second half as the penalties began to mount against the visitors.
Reigning champions Merthyr made it five wins in a row as they avenged their 24-17 defeat at the Arms Park earlier in the season by beating Cardiff 27-23. Kristian Phillips was on the scoresheet once again for the Ironmen, but it was fellow wing Kyle Evans who took the honours with two touchdowns.
Former Cardiff Blues outside half Gareth Davies pulled the strings for the home side, who were dominant at the set-pieces in the second half as they moved into second place. Full back Matthew Jarvis converted all three tries and added two penalties.
Wales Under 20 loose head prop Rhys Carre had another stand-out game for the visitors, who lost No 8 Dan Crimmins with a serious leg injury early in the first-half. Dan Fish crossed for a first-half try for the Blue & Blacks and replacement prop James Greenfield got over in the dying seconds for a try that at least earned his side a losing bonus point.
Former Bargoed outside half Josh Prosser kicked 10 points against his old team mates to steer Cross Keys to a much needed 25-9 victory to climb off the bottom of the table and condemn their hosts to the basement spot. It was Keys’ first away win of the season and ended a run of three successive defeats.
Bargoed had won the game at Pandy Park 34-23 in the second round, but paid for gifting their visitors a try moments after hoisting themselves into a 9-3 lead courtesy of three Iain Smerdon. Wales Under 18 back rower Taine Basham picked up the try and there were two more after the break from wing Matthew Powell and full back Joe Goodchild.
