Ebbw show their mettle in clash of the Steelmen

Ebbw Vale cut Bargoed’s lead at the top of the Championship to just two points following a thumping 42-7 win over Tata Steel and with a game in hand are poised for a New Year tilt at the title.

The Steelmen of Gwent were far too good for the men of steel from Port Talbot as they asserted control throughout to plunder six tries, with Wes Cunliffe, Dan Dearden, Josh Lewis, Chris Thomas, Ronnie Kynes and Spencer Gibson crossing. Fly half Lewis added five conversions with replacement Dan Haymond converting another. Tata had a converted penalty try as their only consolation.

Leaders Bargoed narrowly missed out on a bonus point as they were given a surprisingly tough test by Pontypool who finally succumbed 26-16. Gareth Dare and Chris Mapps went over for Bargoed, who also had a penalty try, with Josh Prosser kicking 11 points. Will Hodnitt crossed for Pooler which Sam Mills converted to add to a penalty hat-trick.

 

Newbridge and Narberth were involved in another nail biting encounter, with the Caerphilly side eventually triumphing 25-23.

Full back Ceri Young was the stand out performer for Newbridge, crossing for a brace and also setting up Steff Morgan for his touchdown, while Neil Burnett added ten points with the boot.

The Otters looked dead and buried at one stage trailing 17-3, but fought back resolutely with tries from captain Steve Martin and Wayne Lewis, with the boot of James Russell bringing them to within one score, but the West Walinas were unable to complete the comeback.

Llanharan crossed for four tries in a 27-6 bonus point victory at inconsistent Bonymaen, thanks to Morgan Williams, Harry Davies, James Locke and Tom James, while Bridgend Athletic started the New Year in fine fettle with a stunning 31-18 success at Beddau.

The visitors have had a difficult campaign but turned the tables as Mike Hathaway, Neil Hinton, Lloyd Evans and Aled Thomas went over to clinch maximum points. Curtis Cunningham and Owen Shepherd crossed the whitewash for Beddau who started clear favourites.

Meanwhile, towards the lower end of the division, Glamorgan Wanderers were edged out 20-16 at Blackwood, who had try scorers in Huw Jones and Aaron Quick, while Whitland still prop up the table after going down 30-13 to Cardiff Met. Pierre Tucker crossed for a try double, with Josh Walker and Jamie George completing a bonus point win for the students.