Swalec Championship Kicks Off

Pontypool, who were unceremoniously dumped out of the Premiership by the WRU’s restructuring before subsequently losing a bitter high court battle with the Union last season, didn’t get the start in the newly formed Championship the home faithful would have wanted, losing out to Beddau by 30-27.

Beddau were restricted to two Gareth Thompson penalties before the break as they trailed 13-6, but four quick fire tries after the interval from Phil Davies, Ryan Healy and a brace from Bradley Coombes, with Thompson converting two, saw them race to an unassailable lead.

 Pooler, who lost a number of key players due to their demotion, crossed three times through Jamie Jeune, David Sandalls and Ashley Norton, while Sam Mills landed two penalties and three conversions, with the hosts having to settle for a losing bonus point

Ebbw Vale have kicked off their Championship campaign with a thumping 76-13 victory at Glamorgan Wanderers.

The reigning One East champions have started where they left off last season, running in twelve tries in a completely dominant performance, despite losing influential fly half Dorian Jones in the off season. Ronny Kynes bagged a hat-trick, speedster Charlie Simpson crossed for a brace while Matthew Williams, Wes Cunliffe, Cameron Reagan, Luke Davies, Tom Ashmead, Spencer Gibson and Josh Lewis all went over. Lewis also slotted five conversions.

Bonymaen won out 29-28 over Bridgend Athletic in a thrilling encounter at Newbridge Fields.

Athletic raced into a 21-8 lead at the interval through tries from Stuart Mason and Rhys Jones, while fly half Steven Lewis landed a conversion and three penalties. However, Bony struck back after the break securing a bonus point, adding to Ryan Bayliss’ first half score through Tom Bevan, David Joseph and a late David Leonard score, with Ian Brookes adding three conversions to a first half penalty.

Athletic, who added a third try through Kyle Dobbin, did have a chance to clinch victory but Lewis’ last gasp drop goal drifted just wide of the post.

In the battle between the top two sides in One West last season, Narberth came out on top with a 45-21 triumph against Tata Steel.

The Saints went down to 14 men early on after Lloyd Phillips was dismissed for a spear tackle, and with the numerical advantage, the Otters didn’t look back, touching down six times. Winger Jason Howells raced away for a double while flanker Lawrence Reynolds, Adrian Killa, Steve Martin and Nick Jones also crossed the whitewash. Tata did manage two tries of their own through wing Gareth John and second row Ben Davies.

In a cracking game of running rugby, Newbridge triumphed 30-25 over Llanharan at the Dairyfield. 

Llanharan got off to a great start when Chris Williams darted over with Codey Rees sending over a penalty, but Burnett hit back for Newbridge with a well struck penalty and back row Craig Hill finished off a fine move for the visitors to draw the sides level.

Newbridge built on their momentum to cross for two further tries before the break through centre Jon Morris and a solo effort from Gareth Jones to take a 20-11 advantage.

The sides exchanged tries after the break with Williams getting his second for the hosts before Morris once again extended Newbridge’s advantage. The Dairymen then drew within two points thanks to a Sion Summers touchdown, but Burnett held his nerve to slot a penalty late on to ease the pressure on his side.

Elsewhere, Bargoed proved perhaps West isn’t best when they stuffed Whitland 38-5.

Bargoed dictated play throughout, running in six tries through Andrew McLaughlan, Gareth Dare (2), Simon Parry, James Pizey and Adam Coupe. The Borderers' solitary try came courtesy of Mark Jones.

Blackwood outscored their rivals Cardiff Met three tries to two in their 19-13 win at Cyncoed.

The visitors scored all of their points before the break with touchdowns from flanker Dai Ford, wing Matthew McGovern and flanker Rhys Watkins, with Jeremy Roberts slotting two conversions.

The Students added to Mark Cooke’s first half penalty after the interval with Jake Henry and Ollie Edwards both crossing the whitewash.