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Davies returns in Llanelli romp

Davies returns in Llanelli romp

Wales scrum half Gareth Davies made a timely return to rugby as he helped Llanelli end their year on a high with a 58-21 home win over Bridgend in the Principality Premiership.

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The 24-year old Davies, last season’s top scorer in the Guinness PRO12, damaged his posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a game against the Dragons in October and was forced to sit out Wales’ four Autumn Tests.
His great Ospreys rival, Rhys Webb, established himself as Wales’ top scrum half over the experienced Mike Phillips in November, including scoring a try in the famous victory over South Africa, but Davies knows that he has got what it takes to put pressure on both of them having picked up his first cap in South Africa last summer.

His return at the same ground at which he injured his knee 12 weeks earlier saw him inspire Llanelli to an eight-try festive victory over Bridgend and put himself in contention for a Scarlets return against the Ospreys on Saturday.
With Wales due to kick-off their Six Nations campaign at home against England on Friday, 6 February, Davies’ return couldn’t be more timely and if he can re-capture his best form he might even push for a place in the matchday 23 against the men in white.

Kyle Evans helped himself to a hat-trick of tries on the right wing for Llanelli and there were further tries from Frazier Climo, Owain Morgn, Jordan Williams, Ben Leung and Craig Price.

Williams ended the game with 16 points as he also landed four conversions and a penalty. Bridgend, who trailed 27-7 at the break, had tries from Gary Carpenter, Mike Powell and Tom O’Flaherty and three conversions from Ross Jones.

Ebbw Vale we forced to come from behind at Bedwas before heading home with a dramatic 12-11 victory. The home side hit the front through two penalties from the boot of Richard Powell in the first half to lead 6-0 at the break.

But a penalty try six minutes into the second half, converted by Ian Smerdon, edged the Steelmen ahead. They extended their lead when Tom James crashed over after 52 minutes for a second try, but then saw Aaron Pinches grab a try for Bedwas that turned it into a one point game.

The conversion drifted wide and the final 14 minutes saw the home team try to conjure up a match winning score.  As hard as Bedwas tried, it didn’t come and Ebbw Vale left with a victory and four points that keeps them in second place behind Pontypridd.

The leaders made it 10 out of 10 for the season with a hard-fought 14-6 victory over Cardiff at the BT Sport Arms Park. The Blue and Blacks led 3-0 at the break thanks to the first of two penalties from James Whittingham, but two second half tries from Lewis Williams, both converted by Simon Humberstone, made victory safe for the champions.

Ellis Lloyd made it a day to remember as he celebrated his 100th game for Carmarthen Quins with two tries in a 29-7 home triumph over Llandovery. Back row man Lloyd scored his side’s opening two tries to set them on their way to a bonus point victory.

Lee Williams grabbed the third home try and then No 8 Sion Bennett crossed for the bonus point score in the 80th minute. Llandovery picked up a penalty try three minutes from the end which James Garland converted.

Cross Keys made it five wins in a row over arch-rivals Newport, and a fourth in 2014, as they hung on to win 14-9 at Pandy Park. A try from Scott Mathews and three Ethan Davies penalties gave the home side a 14-6 lead at the break, but they failed to add to their score in the second half.

Instead, a third penalty for Newport from Geraint O’Driscoll kept them game in the melting pot right to the end.

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