The Premiership’s leading try scorer, Craig Richards, helped himself to five tries to take his season’s tally to 14. The Black and Ambers scored nine tries in all in their 64-5 win to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games to stay four points clear at the top.
British Lions wing Dafydd James got himself back on the road to international rugby with his first appearance since April last night. But the 28-year-old couldn’t help Bridgend stave off defeat in the Welsh Premiership against title chasing Neath as they missed out by a point,
28-27.
More than 2,000 fans turned out at the Brewery Field to see the 40-times capped James make his return after overcoming a nerve injury in his
shoulder. Everything got off to a flying start, with Bridgend scrum half Brendan Roach scheming his way over for a try after only 75 seconds, but
second placed Neath were in no mood to make it a happy return for James.
Within a minute they had levelled through a try by lock Ben Davies and were 21-17 ahead by the break thanks to a penalty try and another from No 8 Hywel Jenkins. Outside half Matthew Jones added the conversion points to all three and then kicked the extras to a fourth try early in the second half from wing Richard Johnston to keep his side head after the home team
had battled back to within a point thanks to the boot of Gareth Cull.
A second score from Roach in the 58th minute, which Cull converted, brought the Ravens back to within a point, but they couldn’t bridge the gap in the end.
Carmarthen Quins ground out a 17-10 victory at neighbouring Llanelli as Josh Freeman and scrum half Wayne Evans scored tries, while lock Bryn Griffiths crossed for only Scarlets try.
Cardiff were beaten at home for the third time in a row as they crashed 26-13 to Aberavon. Fly half Jamie Davies scored a fine solo try for the Wizards and in a drab encounter added three penalties and a conversion.
Former Cross Keys flanker Arthur Howarth grabbed the only try of the game at Pandy Park to steer Pontypool to a dour 13-6 triumph, while Byron Hayward was the saviour for Ebbw Vale at Newbridge as his last gasp conversion of
Andrew McLaughlin’s try earned his side a 16-16 draw.
Llandovery came off the bottom with a splendid 22-19 win over Swansea as they notched three tries against Swansea’s one and the All-Whites had prop Lee May dismissed for stamping.
Caerphilly fell at home to Pontypridd by 21-17 as outside half Lee Thomas led the Ponty effort with a try, conversion and three penalty goals. Jason Pocock added a try, while Andrew Williams and Joe Powell scored Caerphilly
tries and Stuart Thomas kicked seven points.
