Wattstown hit a half-century in big derby day victory

Swalec League Divisions Four-Seven weekend review

PENYGRAIG felt the full force of a Wattstown team intent on staying at the top of Four South East as the hosts won the Rhondda derby 50-8, scoring eight tries in the process.

Adam Phillips and Chris Evans bagged two and Jack Foulkes and Simon Wincock were also among the scorers. Old Illtydians in second could only beat Cowbridge 10-3 with a Tom Wheeler try and Abercwmboi squeezed home against Barry, winning 20-19 thanks to tries from Scott Cutler and James Webster.

New Tredegar pounced on Cilfynydd’s shock defeat by Cwmbran to close the gap at the summit of Four East. The Rhinos saw off Caldicot 21-5 with two Gavins, Stockman and Ferguson, on the scoresheet.

Stuart Mander and Scott Stephen crossed for Tycroes as the top dogs in Four West defeated a battling Betws 18-3. Llanydybber, with Rhydian Davies picking up two tries, had no problems beating Hendy 38-3 and despite having hooker Rhys Evans sent-off for a tip-tackle, Trimsaran drew 17-17 against Nantgaredig.

Another dominant display saw Penlan cruise home 54-0 at Birchgrove in Four South West with No 8 Robert Di’Iulio getting three of their eight tries. Robbie Thorn, Dan Harris and Jeff Jones got tries for Cefn Cribbwr who beat Briton Ferry 22-18.

The standout performance of the weekend undoubtedly came at Baglan in Five South West where the hosts, and right wing Dean Wood in particular, had a red letter day against Llangadog. They won 101-0, scoring 17 tries and Wood got seven himself. Elliott Jones went over for three too but Wood took all the headlines.

Not far behind Baglan in the scoring stakes was Swansea Uplands who thumped St Davids 95-0 in Five West. Sean Edmund registered a hat-trick and there were 16 tries altogether and 10 different scorers.

Dan Butler had his kicking boots on and his four penalties, along with Spencer Cauley’s try, gave RTB Ebbw Vale a 17-15 win over Brynithel in Five East. Luke O’Brien, Robbie Jones, Luke Egan, Jason Goodridge and Nathan Astley were try scorers for St Joseph’s (Cardiff) in their 34-6 victory at Markham in Five South East while Marc Shepherd’s try, conversion and brace of penalties took Pontrhydyfen to a 13-3 win at Dinas Powys in Five South Central.

One of the biggest personal try hauls was claimed by Tom Williams as his Mynydd y Garreg team walloped Aberavon Naval Club 55-10 in Six West while Alan Sheeva, Nick Davies and Ian Cooper helped Blaenau to a 25-13 defeat of Pantyffynnon.

In Six South East, Llanrumney blasted STAR 95-0 and Ross Evans claimed two tries for Cardiff Saracens as Hartridge were put to the sword in a 35-8 loss. Joe Bradley’s two penalties were enough to give Llandrindod Wells a first win of the season in Six South Central at Tref y Clawdd.

Blaina Utd’s bonus-point success against Forgeside kept them out in front in Six East with Matthew O’Dowd, Carl Brimble, Mike John and Jamie Edmunds all scoring tries. Not to be outdone, Tom Hancock (2), Chris Stokes (2) and Lee Southall were on target for Hollybush as they beat Malpas 33-17.

Finally, Sea View recorded their first ever win as a Welsh League club yesterday, defeating Abersychan 23-12 in Division Seven. A 48-3 away win against Newbridge Utd gave Cathays a bonus point to draw level with Whitchurch at the top. Their match against West Mon was called off and Rhayader overcame Aberbeeg 20-18.