Wanderers off the mark with narrow home win

Swalec Championship round-up

GLAMORGAN Wanderers fans can rejoice after their side won its first game in the Championship this season – but only just.

After hammerings at the hands of Ebbw Vale and Newbridge on the first two weekends of the campaign, Wanderers supporters could have been forgiven for thinking it would be some time before they were celebrating any success.

They had to fight all the way at home to Blackwood yesterday and there was never any real daylight between the teams before the Wanderers edged it 21-20 after trailing at the break.

Charlie Johnson and Haval Ibrahim were the Wanderers try scorers while Ianto Griffiths kicked three penalties and a conversion. Dave Ford and Charles Gittins crossed for Blackwood and Josh Steed landed both conversions and a couple of penalties.

Pontypool lost again, this time 52-23 at home to Bargoed who are really looking the business this season. Gareth Dare, Gareth Davies and Adam Cullen went over twice and James Howey crossed while the Blues also earned a penalty try.

At the top with Bargoed, Ebbw Vale, champions of One East last season, were comfortable 36-14 winners at Tata Steel with Spencer Gibson, Polu Uhi and Ronnie Kynes on the scoresheet.

Dan Haymond looks like one of the best kickers in the Championship and his five penalties and three conversions underlined that.

Replacement kicker Stuart Morris had a great chance to win the game for Narberth as they trailed Newbridge 31-30, however, his last-ditch effort missed the target and the West Walians were left to rue an excellent opportunity.

That’s because they led 24-0 at half-time courtesy of a strong wind at their backs and the superb form of James Russell. He scored two tries and kicked 15 points but it all changed in the second period.

Russell went off injured having been unable to stop Gareth Jones going over and with Craig Hill (2) and prop Geoff Lewin crossing and Neil Burnett solid with the boot, Newbridge had completely turned things around.

There was a dramatic finish at the Dairy Field too as Cody Rees nailed a drop-goal with the last kick of the match to give Llanharan a 19-16 victory over Bonymaen after Steve Roberts and Nathan Brooks had exchanged tries.

Cardiff Met pulled clear of Whitland in the second-half to record a 26-10 win. Jordan Saunders got Cardiff’s first try and Brynley Toms added a second while Mark Cook contributed 13 points through kicks. Rhodri West got Whitland’s only try of the encounter.

Finally, Beddau had few problems seeing off Bridgend Athletic 22-6 with Ashley Coombes’s try and 17 points from the boot of Tom Benjamin taking the visitors to win number two this season.