Wednesday's rugby round-up

A last minute penalty try for Neath severely damaged Llanelli’s play-off hopes as the Welsh All Blacks came back to win a thriller 30-26 at The Gnoll in the Principality Premiership last night.

Llanelli had to make do with a losers’ bonus point as they fret over other team’s results in the chase for the play-offs, and the right to face leaders Pontypridd for the Premiership title.

Neath’s result was more surprising given their injury-hit team selection, but they started the brighter and crossed after seven minutes when the returning Elliot Jones scored in the corner having already had one effort ruled out for a forward pass.

He crossed again just after the half-hour to extend their lead, after the visitors’ Jordan Williams had kicked a penalty.

Williams kicked another penalty, but Neath shocked their high-flying visitors again when on the stroke of half-time the forwards drove a full 30 metres from a line-out, finishing with Leon Ward diving over the give the hosts a 15-6 half-time lead.

Steffan Jones made it 20-6 with another try two minutes in to the second half, but then a crazy 15 minutes saw Llanelli turn the game on its head.

Williams kicked another penalty, converted a Nic Reynolds try and then converted his own effort to put the visitors 23-20 ahead. He then traded kicks with Neath’s Bowdy Davies to leave the score at 23-26 with nine left on the clock.

Having had a man in the bin, Neath returned to full strength and saw two Llanelli yellow cards which had them playing against 13 in the final stages. The pressure told, and referee Rhys Thomas had no option but to punish the visitors’ persistent offending with the late penalty try to win it for the Black Machine, with Davies converting.

Llanelli will now be hoping that Neath put up a similarly good showing against play-off rivals Llandovery on the weekend as they prepare to do battle with Newport.

In the Championship, Bargoed won the battle between second and third with a 46-10 win over Tata Steel at Bargoed Park.

They cut Ebbw Vale’s lead at the top to 19 points, running in seven tries to easily take the maximum on offer.

Lee Pearson and James Pizey both grabbed braces, with lock Darren Lynch, prop James Howe and full back Chris Mapps running in the others. Josh Prosser converted four of them and also kicked a penalty.

Hooker Sean Crocker crossed for Tata’s reply.

Bridgend Athletic continued Pontypool’s miserable season with a 36-30 win, although the visitors took away two bonus points as consolation.

The Ath scored six tries – each from a different pair of hands – as Aled Thomas, Tom Morgan, Sean Williams, Griff Davies, Sean Derrick and Rhodri Apsee were all able to celebrate. Pontypool notched four tries of their own, with Ashley Norton diving over for a brace and John Powell and Josh Guy getting the others.

Bonymaen also registered a victory, upsetting Narberth 19-15 thanks to tries by Nathan Brooks, John Jones and Richard Murphy.

There was also late drama at Heol y Cyw versus Rhydyfelin in One East, as the referee overruled his two touch judges stood behind the posts and said a last-minute conversion attempt by the visitors hadn’t gone between the posts.

This left the result at 24-24, with both sides matching each other in almost perfect symmetry. They both pick up try scoring bonus points, Heol y Cyw supporters seeing braces for Adam O’Driscoll and Scott Hancock, the latter with two conversions. Rhydyfelin’s scores came from Rhys King (two), Gareth Cann and Lewis Smith, with Smith converting two before the late controversy.

In Two East, Rhiwbina and Llantrisant kept their respective promotion chases going with wins. The former beat near-neighbours Llanishen 35-17 at home, with second-placed Llantrisant edging Fleur de Lys 23-18 away.

In Three West, newly-crowned champions Amman United celebrated with their 19th win from 20 league games this season via a seven-try, 43-3 win away at lowly Pontyberem.

Dean Williams and Gavin Lewis both notched braces of tries, with Christian Madge, Doug Jenkins and Stephen Herbert also registering. A Mike Sauro penalty put some points on the board for the hosts.

Trebanos have been in equally excellent form at the top of Three South West, and continued that with a 32-13 win at Neath Athletic. Nic Damianovic was the hero with a personal tally of 22 points – two tries, three conversions and two penalties. The other 10 came from Kristian and Nathan Jones scores.

It was a remarkable second half performance from both sides, the score having been just 3-3 at half-time.

Maesteg Celtic also picked up an impressive 40-23 win over Morriston, Lloyd Jenkins grabbing a brace of tries for the hosts.

In Four East, Blaenavon crossed the whitewash seven times as they won 41-5 at Chepstow. Scott Preece and Richard Derrington did it twice, with Jamie Noble, Lee Wright and Adam Williams also finding themselves over the try line.

Fishguard also helped themselves to seven tries in a 43-7 win over Hendy in Four West, climbing up to fourth in the table as a result. James Griffiths had two scores and kicked two conversions, with Alun George, Gareth Adamson, Ed Bendall, Owain Morgans and Rhys Lewis also crossing. Nigel Howells got Hendy’s sole effort.

Dinas Powys climbed above Glyncoch to the top of Five South Central thanks to a 43-7 beating of Rhigos at home. Dai Lloyd was on hand for a hat-trick of scores and four conversions, with Sam Alderman, Nathan and Adam Williams also putting five points on the board.

Finally, Baglan almost hit a half century of points with a 49-0 drubbing of lowly Llandybie in Five South West. Neil Gadd, Rhys Davies and Daniel Blethyn all dived over for braces of tries, with Kevin Thomas and Ryan Crompton also notching.

Read More

High-scoring rugby on display in Swalec leagues

There were some one-sided results throughout the Swalec leagues on Saturday (February 16), as a busy program could take place for the first time in weeks thanks to an upturn in the weather and the lack of Six Nations action.

In the Championship, it was defeat once more for Pontypool and Whitland, with the former downed at home against Newbridge, and the latter losing at near-neighbours Narberth.

Pontypool allowed Newbridge to cross their try line five times in a 33-5 defeat - Ryan Lee, Dwayne Dyer, Stuart Davies, Stefan Morgan and Jordan Richard all scoring. Ponty’s sole reply came from Luke Dickov, in what was their 16^th defeat in 17 league games this season.

Whitland twice took the lead at Narberth, but the boot of James Russell won it for the Otters 19-13. He kicked three penalties and converted Steve Martin’s try, while Scott Newton kicked two penalties and converted a Daffydd Williams try for the Borderers in what was the away side’s 14^th defeat of the season.

Elsewhere, Cardiff Met ran out 22-3 winners over Bridgend Athletic to cement third place in the table, with No8 Sam Cross grabbing two scores. A Steve Lewis penalty was all the Athletic responded with.

In Division One West, leaders Tondu ran out 27-3 winners at bottom club Aberavon Quins. They scored three tries through Nick Hopson, Matthew Phillips and Darren Thomas, while Paul Smithson converted all three and added two penalties.

Waunarlwydd in third closed the gap on second-placed Cwmllynfell with a 41-20 win over Ammanford, running in six tries.

In Division One East, Merthyr hammered bottom club Tredegar 62-0, with 11 tries scored in the process. Matthew Trowbridge grabbed a hat-trick and Jason Price and Arron Howard both crossed for braces. Josh Slye, John Chivers, Jason Pritchard and Lloyd Wood completed the rout, which was only Merthyr’s third win of the season and moved them above Mountain Ash in the table.

This was due to the Old Firm also falling to a heavy defeat, going down 51-17 at Rumney. The hosts ran in six tries, including a hat-trick for Tom Silver, in a game delayed for half an hour due to a bad injury to a Mountain Ash player. Wayne de Crue, Danny Clarke and Carl Fish also crossed for Rumney.

Some of the larger victories, other than Merthyr’s and Rumney’s, came further down the league pyramid.

In Division Two North, second placed COBRA picked up a 64-9 victory at Rhyl, running in six tries in the process, while in Two East, Fleur De Lys matched COBRA’s try-scoring exploits with six of their own in a 54-6 victory over Abercynon in a victory that moves them six points ahead of their opponents in the table.

The biggest win of the day went to Wrexham in Three North - the leaders ran in an impressive 20 tries and 10 conversions in a 120-0 thrashing of bottom club Holyhead.

Jonny Davies crossed for four and Andrew Clutton grabbed three. There were also braces for Kieron Morris and Jack Ratcliffe, while Jake Edwards, Rob Moore, Tom Crawford, Jamie Morris, Leighton Cox, James Price, Peter Doogan and Ben Cheesborough got the others.

Price kicked nine of the conversions for a personal points tally of 23, and Gavin Jones kicked the 10th.

The win sees Wrexham five points clear of Rhosllanerchrugog in second, while Holyhead remain rooted to the bottom of the table with 12 defeats from 12 matches.

Three South East leaders Dowlais won 41-13 away at Cardiff Quins, with Lloyd Morgan notching three of their six tries. Lloyd Hines, Christian Owen and Tom Griffin grabbed the others. Three East’s top side Newport HSOB ran in nine tries in a 57-12 win at Croesyceiliog.

Three West side Llanelli Wanderers ran in nine tries in a 53-20 win over second from bottom Milford Haven, with full back Nick Gale scoring a hat-trick. In Four East, Cwmbran hammered struggling Machen 49-0 with tries from Dai Thomas, Mike Davies (two), Michael Lang and Luke Brown, while Chepstow ran in eight tries in a 50-3 win over troubled Blaina.

Three South West leaders Trebanos ran out 41-7 winners over Resolven, where they scored seven tries, including a brace for Matthew Edwards. Rhodri Williams, Ross Jones, Rhys Thomas, Nick Danjanovic and Chris Jones grabbed the others.

Bryncoch bettered that result, winning 66-10 over basement side Aberavon Green Stars, running in 10 tries in the process. It was the visitors’ 13^th defeat in 14 games.

Dinas Powys notched 10 tries in a 69-0 win over Tonna in Five South Central. John Evans crossed for four tries, while David Lloyd, Gareth Williams, James Smith and Nathan Williams also scored.

Finally, in Six East, Girling also ran in 10 tries in a 73-10 win over bottom club Cwmcarn. Andy Bates and Dan Tucker each scored a brace, and Dan Howells, Adran Smith, Kyle King, Dion Perry, Grant Harrington and a penalty try added to the score.

Trefil also won 74-0 at Malpas in the same division, running in 10 tries of their own.

Read More

Swalec League Round Up

Rhiwbina convincingly beat visiting Rhymney at Parc Caedelyn by 43-12 in Two East, scoring five tries in the process.

Pat Murphy scored the Squirrels’ only first half try, while Grant Fitzgerald kicked three penalties as he made the visitors' indiscipline pay to lead 14-0 at the break. Fitzgerald continued his fine form with the boot adding another penalty before Greg Plant crossed for Rhymney, but there then came a delay after Rhymney hooker Sean Murphy had to be helped from the field with a dislocated elbow.

With no more front row replacements, the referee was forced to call passive scrums, although this didn't adversely affect the rhythm of the match and Squirrels skipper Nick Howell scored two tries, the second of which a superb individual effort from inside his own half, while ever-reliable Richard Saltmarsh burst through under the posts, and the scoring was completed by a typical Dan Murphy try.

In the battle at the bottom, two tries from wing Lewis Rigby helped Abercynon to a 29-10 home win over Fleur de Lys. At the other end of the table, Nelson picked up their fifth win with a 43-20 success at Garndiffaith.

Highfliers Llandudno edged out Two North title rivals COBRA 18-17. James Gregson and Ed Weston crossed for Llandudno, with Luke Jones adding two crucial penalties and a conversion.

It seems like defeats for Maesteg Quins come around like buses as the Llynfi Valley side were unbeaten in the league for the best part of three seasons before last week, and suffered their second loss in as many games in Two West as they lost out 25-14 at Aberystwyth.

Aber were awarded a penalty try, while Geraint Rowlands and Paul Bunford touched down for the hosts, as Owain Owen added two conversions and two penalties.

Builth Wells are now the new leaders in the division after former pacemakers Maesteg crashed to a 36-10 loss at Felinfoel, the Bulls capitalising in their 15-7 win over Dunvant at Broadacre, with tries from Dean Jones and Andrew Duggan.

Abertillery BG were far too strong for visiting Gwernyfed in Three East with the hosts notching up a 38-6 victory.

Chris Stevens was the hero of the day for the hosts amassing 15 points through a try and five conversions.

Pontypool United remain top of the table thanks to a 24-11 home triumph over Croesyceiliog. Luke Palmer, Rob Grey and Scott Malson all touching down for United.

Meanwhile, Caerphilly claimed their fifth win seeing off Brynmawr 16-10. The Cheesemen’s only try of the match came through Lloyd Summers while Sam Wollat struck three penalties and a conversion.

Llanelli Wanderers returned to winning ways in Three West at Cardigan with a bonus point 33-6 triumph, while Amman United remain top thanks to their 41-21 home success over Gorseinon, with Jonny Bevan getting three of his side's seven tries.

Tenby were the big winners of the day as they ran in nine tries to ruthlessly dispatch Lampeter 59-0, Smith brothers Toby (2) and Sam were amongst the tries for the hosts.

Pencoed picked up their maiden win in Three South West as they bagged a 31-13 home success over Resolven. The hosts were awarded a penalty try while Glen Hiscocks, Gareth Prentie and Daniel Howells touched down.

Penlan are continuing to run riot in Four South West as the Swansea side brushed aside Cefn Cribbwr 43-7. The Swansea side ran in seven tries with Dafydd Pritchard, Steven Williams and Bobby Scrine amongst the tries.

Early pacemakers New Tredegar continue to rack up the tries in Four East as they put Hafodyrynys to the sword with a 53-27 triumph.

The Newts were in seventh heaven as centre Ricky Hawkins claimed a hat-trick, wing Rhys Walbeof bagged a brace, while Josh Matthews and Gavin Stockman also went over.

It remains nip and tuck at the top of Five South Central with both Glyncoch and Porthcawl grabbing big wins.

The Glyncs easily dispatched Ferndale 60-3 with Anthony John claiming a hat-trick, while Swalec Bowl hero Shaun Baggs crossed for a double. Porthcawl meanwhile helped themselves to nine tries at Blaengarw as they triumphed 59-10, Neil Nutman, Ben Clarke and Dnny Shaw all getting braces for the Seasiders.

Finally in Division Seven, Aberbeeg looked impressive as ever as they saw off Newbridge United 42-17, Gareth Bevan, Gavin Hillier, Anthony Jones, Keiron Gingell, Craig Llewellyn and Adam Puddy all going over for the highfliers.

Read More

Swalec Leagues Round Up

Penallta are the new leaders in Division One East after they continued their impressive form, bagging a bonus point 31-22 victory over Heol y Cyw.

The Pitmen outscored their rivals four tries to three, with Gavin Spiller getting two of the home side’s scores to go with touchdowns from Gareth Edwards and Gregg Haines.

Andre Soroko converted all four and Jonny Wright added a penalty as Penallta moved to the summit of the table ahead of RGC 1404, whose game against Tredegar was postponed.

Ystrad Rhondda sit just behind Penallta in second after they secured a convincing 31-3 win over local rivals Treorchy.

Rhys Truelove was the hosts' hero of the day scoring a try, penalty and four conversions, while Bleddyn Davies, David Gratton and Alex Webber were the other Ystrad men to touch down. All the Zebras could muster was a Celyn Ashton penalty.

North Wales region RG1404 will have to wait to make their home debut after their match against Tredegar was postponed.

Tondu have opened up early daylight at the top of Division One West as they produced an excellent performance to see off Waunarlwydd 27-21.

Paul Smithson, David Bishop, Ross McGraw and Gavin Eagle were on the scoresheet for the leaders, but Waun thoroughly deserved their losing bonus point.

Many people’s pre-season title favourites Carmarthen Athletic finally recorded their first victory of the season, 24-12 against Ammanford, with Viv Jenkins, Chris Francis and Jack Maynard getting the vital tries.

At the foot of the table, Aberavon Quins’ wait for a first win goes on following a 29-19 loss to Kidwelly with Gareth Rees kicking 14 of the Ambers' points.

In Division Two West, Felinfoel have finally ended Maesteg Quins' two and a half years unbeaten run in the Swalec leagues thanks to a 24-19 victory. Curtis Morris and Simon Delaney were the try scorers for Foel, but it was the boot of Aled Thomas that secured victory adding 14 points.

Elsewhere in the division, Quins’ archrivals Maesteg were racking up another win as their rich vein of form continues, seeing off Haverfordwest 44-22.

The Llynfi Valley side helped themselves to six tries through Michael Collins, Mauro Perilli Bello, Lawrence Howley, Karl Hocking, Mike Powell and Luke Hollyman.

Harry Rees' try double helped Llantrisant to their six try bonus point 49-20 demolition at Abercynon in Two East, while Nelson still remain at the head of the table after they ripped apart Tylorstown 47-8.

Denbigh maintained their unblemished record in Two North - but only just - beating Llandudno 15-13 through tries by Dwayne Speakman-Jones and Dion Howatson, and a conversion and penalty by Tom Seedon. At the other end of the table, Llangollen are still looking for their first point after a 48-18 thrashing at home to Abergele.

Llandeilo got off the mark in Three West thanks to a 20-8 win over Lampeter, thanks to tries from Dafydd Thomas, Leighton Rees and Sion Wells.

Aberavon Green Stars continue to be Three South West’s whipping boys with Pencoed dishing out the pain this weekend as they secured a 44-5 home win. Winger Richie Samuel was the toast of the Verlands as the speedster crossed for a hat-trick.

Fairwater got the better of Penarth in Three South East with a 27-16 showing, with touchdowns coming from Ryan Evans, Luke O’Brien and Michael Andrews.

The Davies brothers inspired Penlan to their 30-0 triumph at Pontardawe, with 18 year old Luke grabbing a brace, and Scott adding two conversions as well as helping to set up Jason Garmy’s opening minute try. Hooker Dean also posed problems for the hosts all day in the loose.

Porthcawl took over the top spot in Five South Central thanks to a 40-15 beating of Tonna, Steve Phillips scoring two of their six tries, while in the battle between two title hopefuls, Glyncoch won 24-14 at Pontrhydyfen with Gareth Way getting a try brace.

Read More

Final day win gives Monmouth title

THEY left it late, but Monmouth clinched the Five East crown from under the noses of Hafodyrynys on the final day of the season.

All they needed was a win at home to Pontllanfraith and they got it with something to spare, easing to a 37-3 victory.

Matt Tadd, Ed McCord, Gareth Morgan and Gary Lane scored the tries as Monmouth made up the three-point deficit on challengers Hafodyrynys.

RTB Ebbw Vale made fifth place their own following as a Rhys Sweet hat-trick helped see off Bettws 49-22.

The hosts crossed the try-line nine times with Jamie Hill on target twice and Jonathan Dix, Ron Ashman, Ian Price and Nathan Manning also touching down.

CRC Caerdydd made the gap between third and fourth in Five South East even more emphatic as they ran in five tries against Treherbert.

The 32-5 triumph increased the points difference to 23 as the capital side finished just behind second-placed Cilfynydd.

Scott Conway, Rhydian Garner, Owain Tudor, Elgan Jones and Hywel Jones underlined the home side’s claim as the division’s third best club.

Garner also dropped a goal and Oliver Jenkins kicked two conversion while all Treherbert could muster was a try.

A 17-13 win saw Porthcawl over Rhigos saw the former end the season in the top half of Five South Central. Ollie Jones and Nick Nutman provided their tries, Tim Richards converted both and Gareth Lloyd slotted a penalty.

Rhigos fought well and were in the game up until the end thanks to Luke Williams and John Smith scores.

While in Five South West, champions Penlan hit the 100-point mark courtesy of a 34-6 victory over Llandybie at home.

Brothers Ian and Bobby Scrine found their way to the try-line as did No 8 Robert Di’Lulio, who went over twice. Robert Green and Lee Banfield were the others to cross.

In Six Central, champions Glyncoch reached the 100-point milestone as Cefn Fforest were put to the sword 48-21. The Swalec Bowl winners scored six tries, two coming through Huw Burgess.

Cambrian Welfare crushed CIACS 79-0, scoring 13 tries in all, four of them courtesy of brothers Ian and Zac James, while Wick beat Aberbargoed 35-24.

Treharris made sure of top spot in Division Seven A with a 31-12 success at Blaina Utd.

Two Ricky Alsop tries and further scores for Mark Roberts, Scott Giles and Gareth Ingram gave the Merthyr valley club first place over Sully Sports.

Read More

Tense title race enters home straight

THE race for top spot in Division Five West will go down to the wire after leaders Fishguard and Nantgaredig in second both recorded huge wins on Saturday.

Fishguard head their rivals by four points meaning they only need to avoid defeat at St Clears next weekend to finish first.

They battered poor Llangwm 92-3 with 15 tries firmly underlining their intent to hold onto the lead. James Griffiths and Mike Jenkins crossed for hat-tricks, Gavin Walsh scored two tries and Richard Hunter, Dai Evans, Simon James, Gwilyn Evans, Mark George and Rhys Morgan also touched down.

Meanwhile, Nantgaredig were also in imperious form at home against Penygroes, with Huw Harris bagging three tries in a 52-0 hiding.

Mike O’Leary (2), Clinton Morgan (2), Cled Richards, Brian Edmunds and Barry Thomas put their names on the scoresheet and Nant must now beat Pembroke Dock Quins and hope St Clears can do them a big favour.

On a day of high scores, the Quins racked up 64 points as they dished out a trouncing to Pontyates who couldn’t manage any.

There were braces for Rhys Scourfield, Adam Gawley and Paul Jonkers as the visitors were well and truly put to the sword.

Three clubs remain in with a shout of winning Five South East and all of them won at the weekend. Old Illtydians are still at the top, three points ahead of CRC Caerdydd and Cilfynydd.

CRC Caerdydd smashed St Joseph’s 53-19 at home with Sion Horan completing a hat-trick of tries and Dafydd Shermer getting two.

The leaders won handsomely against Deri, 57-7, and Cilfynydd beat Dinas Powys 29-22.

Hafodyrynys won a high-scoring clash against Newport Saracens 35-30 to move onto 106 league points but second-placed Monmouth have plenty of games in hand to claw back the deficit.

In Five South West, Penlan came out on top in the clash between first and second as they breezed past Tycroes 29-0 and just for good measure, Bryncethin, champions of Five South Central, won 23-10 at second-placed Cefn Cribbwr.

Read More

Bryncethin remain in pole position

 Bryncethin remain in pole position in Division Five South Central with a comfortable 40-10 victory over Hirwaun.

The leaders crossed the visitors’ line six times through Lewis Davies, Lloyd Hosey, Andrew Veasey, Huw King, Andrew Bayliss and Chris Williams. Matt Davies added two conversions with replacement Gareth Pearce slotting home three more.

Cefn Cribbwr remain hot on the heels of the trailblazers after a try bonus 28-11 home win over Ogmore Vale.

The hosts’ back row Matthew Leg bagged a brace of tries with outside half Gareth Lewis and Robert Curl also going over. Lewis also fired home all four conversions.

Struggling Banwen put sorry Blaengarw to the sword easing to a 69-0 victory, running in eleven tries in the process including hat-tricks for Nicky Rees and Simon Herdman, with Daniel Morgan bagging a brace.

Cwmgwrach finally recorded their maiden win with a hard fought 22-16 home victory over South Wales Police.

The hosts bagged three tries through Geraint Stanley, Ryan Parry and Peter Davies. The difference between the two sides proved to be the boot of Parry as he fired home two conversions and a penalty.

Meanwhile, Porthcawl narrowly overcame Rhigos 15-12 with all of the Seaweeds’ points coming from Aled Davies who stroked away five penalties.

Elsewhere, Cowbridge remain third with a 23-9 triumph at Tonna.

Read More