Cheltenham the reward if Newport see off brave Yate

NEWPORT County will face a trip to Cheltenham Town in the first round proper of the FA Cup if they can see off minnows Yate Town in a replay at Rodney Parade on Tuesday night.

The Blue Square Bet Premier leaders were on the verge of being dumped out of the competition yesterday before two late goals salvaged a 3-3 draw against the Evo-Stick Southern League side.

Tony James’s header four minutes into injury-time saved Newport’s blushes and they now hope to get the job done in midweek ahead of a possible trip to the League Two high-fliers on November 3 or 4.

Meanwhile, Wrexham, who beat Southport 2-0 in the final round of qualifying, will host Alfreton Town in round one next month. Alfreton overcame Gateshead by the same score to go through.

A deflected Dean Keates free-kick and Brett Ormerod’s first goal for the club saw Wrexham past their Blue Square Bet Premier rivals at the Racecourse Ground.

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John levels late on to leave Bangor frustrated

A LATE Lee John equaliser dented Bangor City’s Welsh Premier League title challenge as Neville Powell’s side had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Port Talbot Town yesterday.

After losing to Newtown the previous weekend, Bangor, given their excellent record at the GenQuip Stadium in recent years, would have been looking to get their championship assault back on track.

Defender Chris Roberts gave them the lead early in the second-half and the Citizens appeared set to move up to second alongside The New Saints until substitute John levelled seven minutes from time.

It was a rollercoaster afternoon for Carmarthen boss Mark Aizlewood, who was sent to the stands by referee Lee Evans before watching his Old Gold side come from behind to beat Newtown 2-1 at Latham Park.

The visitors trailed to Nicky Ward’s curled effort but things turned in their favour when they brought on Casey Thomas. He made it 1-1 with his first touch and two minutes later Liam Thomas fired in the winner off the upright.

Airbus are up to the third place after thrashing former leaders Prestatyn 5-0, paving the way for The New Saints to go top thanks to a 4-1 win against Aberystwyth Town. Ian Kearney, Wayne Riley, Steve Tomassen, Jordan Johnson and Chris Budrys all netted for the Wingmakers while Michael Wilde and Alex Darlington were on target for the Saints.

Despite being in financial problems off the pitch, on it Llanelli are working wonders and yesterday they staged a superb recovery to come back from 2-0 down to beat Afan Lido 3-2, a performance that would have delighted boss Andy Legg.

Goals from Lee Hartshorn and Chris Hartland put Lido 2-0 up but they were left in shock as a Luke Bowen brace, including a winner from the penalty spot in the fourth minute of added time, and Martin Rose gave the Reds the three points.

Bala have consolidated a mid-table position and Lee Hunt scored the only goal as they defeated Gap Connah’s Quay.

Meanwhile, Ton Pentre moved into the second round of the Welsh Cup with a 3-1 win at Dinas Powys. A brace by Jamie Wern and a strike by Chris Jones gave Ton the victory and they will now meet Pontardawe on November 10.

Caerau also made progress when they emphatically beat Llantwit Fardre 8-0 with a hat-trick by Robbie Walters proving decisive. In the North, Llanidloes Town eased into round three with a convincing 6-1 victory over Halkyn.

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Brothers in arms make it a night to remember for RGC 1404

IT only seemed right that after travelling up and down the country for the last six weekends, RGC 1404, the one North Wales club playing in the league down South, should toast their first One East home game with a win.

More than 1,600 fans packed into Parc Eirias in Colwyn Bay as RGC took on Rumney in a match the home side eventually won 37-16 with a bonus point.

Brothers Carwyn and Llywrach ap Myrddin both got on the scoresheet with Kelvin Davies, Richard Hopkins and a penalty try making up the five scores. Rhodri Carlton-Jones added the rest with kicks.

One East leaders Ystrad Rhondda are now five points ahead of RGC but the North Walians do have a game in hand. The Rhondda club thrashed Mountain Ash 55-28 with David Gratton notching a hat-trick while Rhydyfelin were pushed all the way by struggling Tredegar but eventually won 31-26.

Tries came thick and fast at the Wern with hosts Merthyr and visitors Treorchy sharing eight between them. But in the end it was the Zebras who came out on top 38-32 with Gareth Daniel, Chris Everett, Robert Jones and Tristan Lazarus on target.

The Ironmen would obviously have been gutted to lose but in defeat they still picked up two bonus points with Rhys Luckwell, Josh Flye, Andrew Murphy and Darren Ryan crossing the try-line.

Greg Roberts crossed twice for Gilfach Goch in their 49-25 defeat of Penallta and there were some strange goings on as Ynysybwl edged out Heol y Cyw 18-17 with two tries for Andrew Lloyd.

Reports suggest that referee Jason Langdon, who had been whacked in the face by a stray kick, convinced himself that Heol y Cyw were leading 22-18 when in fact it was Ynysybwl who were winning 18-17.

In his dazed state Langdon was adamant that he was right and waved away protests by Ynysybwl players, officials and supporters who were arguing to the contrary. The referee even went so far as to send an Ynysybwl official from the sideline before eventually coming to his senses and agreeing that the home side were indeed in front.

Tondu are still unbeaten in One West, their latest success being a 38-13 win away at Loughor with Paul Smithson scoring two tries. Richard Deakin went one better for Cwmllynfell as they saw off Kenfig Hill 32-20 and Jordan Clayfield bagged a brace for Waunarlwydd in a 37-7 triumph at Skewen.

Rhys Jones, Ifan Beynon-Thomas and Ricky Richards scored two tries apiece in Carmarthen Athletic’s 56-10 hammering of Aberavon Quins while Glynneath and Ammanford also won against Kidwelly and Llangennech respectively.

Lloyd Bayliss and James Parry's tries, along with extras from Cory Jenkins and Johnny  Morgan, took Glynneath to a 29-23 victory while a Gary Stevens try and three Rhydian Morris penalties gave Ammanford a 14-13 win.

Top beat bottom in One North as Nant Conwy eased past Llangefni 26-6 but second-placed Bro Ffestiniog were held to an 8-8 draw by Bala.

The top two in Two East both lost with Nelson going down 34-25 at Llantwit Fardre for whom Jason Pocock kicked 19 points and Pill Harriers losing 11-6 to Abercynon. Felinfoel took the chance to close the gap on Two West leaders Builth Wells who were without a game.

Jordan Dunne and Nick Morris were two of Felinfoel’s five try scorers in a 35-10 win over Crymych while Maesteg Quins made up ground on Seven Sisters in third by beating their rivals 27-12 thanks to 14 points from Gareth Lewis.

Fly-half Gareth James scored a try and slotted three penalties and four conversions as Ystalyfera disposed of Maesteg Celtic 42-10 in Three South West and there was a belated first win of the season for Aberavon Green Stars, 23-10, at home to Neath Athletic.

In Three East, Aled Penn raced in for a hat-trick as leaders Abertillery BG brushed aside Newport HSOB 30-6 and Brecon scored nine tries in a 59-14 rout of Nantymoel in Three South East.

Ritchie Williams crossed twice for Four West frontrunners Tycroes during their 56-8 annihilation of Aberaeron and Pontycymmer won the battle of the top two in Four South East, defeating Wattstown 16-15.

Glyncoch whipped Porthcawl 32-0 in the match of the day in Five South Central as two sides boasting unbeaten records went head-to-head. The seasiders had no answer to Glyncoch’s power and Darren Baker, Evan Griffiths, Andrew Edwards and Lloyd Allen helped the hosts to a bonus-point win.

There was a rare feat at Gowerton as the home side, leaders of Five West, thrashed Llangwm 88-10 with three players registering hat-tricks. Josh Hamer, Luke Jones and Callum McKenzie were the men involved. The big clash in Six East went the way of Blaina United who beat New Panteg 22-20 to move to the summit of the table.

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Whitland upset the form book to take prized scalp of the Steelmen

THE great thing about rugby – or any sport come to that – is nothing is ever a certainty and that was evident in the Championship yesterday.

Whitland, with no wins in seven going into their home clash with second-placed Ebbw Vale, a side that had won all of their games, were expected by most to lose again.

But sometimes the underdogs can upset the favourites and that’s exactly what happened in West Wales.

The Steelmen led 19-14 at half-time and although they scored four tries in all, Whitland weren’t going to be denied as Mark Jones and Callum Tree crossed for them and Nico Setaro’s kicking proved crucial.

Ronnie Kynes (2), Cameron Regan and Polu Uhio may have earned Ebbw Vale one of two bonus points in defeat but nobody could deny Whitland their victory.

That result meant Bargoed could open up a four-point gap at the top of the table thanks to a routine 49-17 win at home against Narberth with Gareth Dare and Matthew Hutcheon crossing twice.

Adam Coupe, Leigh Meades and James Howe got the other tries while Josh Prosser was like a metronome in front of goal with all seven conversions to his name.

Newbridge were given a fright by Bonymaen before edging home 16-13. Dean Gibbs and Nathan Brooks touched down for each side respectively with Neil Burnett slotting one more penalty than Paul Warlow.

There was a fifth victory of the season for Tata Steel as they saw off Beddau 31-10 with Gareth Edwards, Gareth Walters, Gareth John and Ben Davies crossing the whitewash. Bryn Phillips replied with Beddau’s sole score.

Cardiff Met were forced into an early change during their home clash with Llanharan. Matt O’Brien came on in the pivotal No 10 position and he had a big say on the outcome of the match, kicking four penalties and converting Pierre Tucker’s try in a 19-5 win.

At Glan-yr-Afon Park, Blackwood beat Pontypool 20-13, winning by three tries to two, with Rhodri Usher, Rhys Watkins and David Ford scoring the tries which gave the hosts only their second success of the season.

Ed Doe crosses for Glamorgan Wanderers

Photo courtesy of Glamorgan Wanderers

Finally, Glamorgan Wanderers withstood a second-half comeback from Bridgend Athletic to hold on for a 15-10 win. Tries from centre Loren Quick and full-back Ed Doe together with a conversion and penalty from the boot of Ianto Griffiths put the Wanderers into a healthy lead.

But Athletic’s Sean Derrick got his team on the scoreboard with a try, converted by Steve Lewis, and a Lewis penalty put the hosts within striking distance but the visitors held on.

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Drovers enjoy highland fling with another win

WITH four all-Welsh match-ups on the second weekend of British & Irish Cup action, it was always going to be a much better few days of competition for the Welsh Premiership clubs than the opening round of fixtures.

Three wins – for Swansea, Newport and Llandovery – last weekend were boosted to seven as Carmarthen Quins, Neath, Bridgend, Llanelli, Pontypridd and Newport and Llandovery again picked up at least four points.

Premiership leaders Llandovery seem to have taken their league form into the cup and they returned from a long trek to Melrose in Scotland with a 29-14 victory with a bonus point. Chris Knight, Dean Howells, Jake Randall, Rhodri Williams and Jack Roberts were the men to cross.

It was less straight-forward for Pontypridd, however, as they hosted Leinster A at Sardis Road looking to build on a 20-20 draw at Jersey seven days previously.

Things were going well at 14-6 up when half-time arrived but the Irishmen hit back after the break and led with the game going into the dying seconds. That was until Dafydd Lockyer touched down in the nick of time to make it 25-23 to Pontypridd.

Kristian Phillips was on target twice for Llanelli as they beat Gala 38-28 at Parc y Scarlets with Jordan Williams yet again demonstrating his true potential courtesy of five conversions and a penalty. Aled Davies, Nathan White and Owen Williams got Llanelli’s other tries.

If there was a surprise this weekend it came at Pandy Park where Newport defeated Cross Keys 24-20 thanks to a penalty try and a score from captain Craig Attwell. Keys were awarded a penalty try too and Elliot Jones crossed but they had to settle for a losing bonus point.

Neath notched six tries in a morale-boosting 45-27 triumph at home to Bedwas who lost the game in the first-half when they trailed 31-10.

Veteran winger Kevin James crossed twice for Neath and Gareth King, Kyle Davies, Chris Morgans and Gareth Gravell also scored while Dai Langdon converted all six and landed a penalty.

Bedwas fly-half Ethan Davies contributed 17 points with a try, two penalties and three conversions but it wasn’t enough to prevent a second successive cup defeat.

Another outside-half, Bridgend’s Jamie Murphy, helped his side to a 25-7 victory over Cardiff at the Brewery Field in a game that the visitors simply didn’t turn up for. They did go into the lead at 7-6 after an Owen Williams scored in the corner, but they infringed too many times and Murphy made them pay.

He nailed six penalties and converted Tom Grabham’s try in a win Bridgend thoroughly deserved.

Over the Irish Sea in Tralee, Aberavon put in a spirited display but ultimately came up short against reigning champions Munster A, losing 19-11 having led early in the second-half. Wing Richard Thomas stunned the home fans with the opening try but Munster replied with three in all.

On Friday night Carmarthen Quins hosted Swansea a week before the two meet in the league at St Helen’s. This time it was Quins who came out on top 41-17 with debutant Jack Maynard having a night to remember with 21 points including a try.

By David Williams

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Championship weekend predictions

Bargoed v Narberth

Leaders Bargoed will welcome Narberth tomorrow and will not be taking the West Walians lightly. The Otters haven’t set the Championship alight so far this season but have shown continuing improvement and are on a four match unbeaten streak. The Blues have looked comfortable up to now except in their narrow win over Cardiff Met and I think they will be too strong for their visitors.

Verdict - Bargoed by 15 points

Beddau v Tata Steel

The Green and Golds easily dispatched Bonymaen last week but will face a much sterner test tomorrow. The Saints, who are the current One West champions, are starting to click after a sub par start by their standard and completely dominated Llanharan last week, despite the close score line. The visitors have one of the best packs in the division, and the absence of front row man Gareth Way for the hosts will be a big loss in that department. As a result, I think Tata will be too powerful up front for Beddau and this should see them home.

Verdict - Tata Steel by 8 points

Blackwood v Pontypool

By their own admission, Blackwood were under par against Bargoed last week and they will be looking for a marked improvement at Glan yr Afon. However, their home ground hasn’t exactly been a fortress so far, with the hosts yet to bag a win there despite giving both Ebbw Vale and Narberth a run for their money. Pooler come into the match with the monkey very much off their back after seeing off Whitland last week and always start well in matches, but I think Blackwood will just sneak this one.

Verdict - Blackwood by 5 points

Bonymaen v Newbridge

Bony were poor against Beddau last week and will know that if they put in a repeat performance, they could be on the wrong end of a hiding. Newbridge have blown all opponents bar Ebbw Vale away so far and you have to make them firm favourites for tomorrow's match.

Verdict - Newbridge by 15 points

Bridgend Athletic v Glamorgan Wanderers

This is a difficult match to call: Bridgend Athletic have only won once at home, while the best the Wanderers have managed is away from the Memorial Ground is a draw. Both sides have struggled to convert the chances they have made in matches so far, so this will no doubt come down to who can be more clinical in attack. I’m going to plump for Athletic: they have produced some strong performances at home and I think they will just edge this one.

Verdict - Bridgend Athletic by 3 points

Cardiff Met v Llanharan

The students will feel hard done by not to have picked up a win over Ebbw Vale last week but will have to put that to one side if they are to see off a solid Llanharan outfit. The Dairymen were dominated by Tata Steel last week but, living off scraps, were still within a few points come the final whistle. With this resolve, I think the visitors will claim their third away win of the season.

Verdict - Llanharan by 5 points

Whitland v Ebbw Vale

If I had been writing this 24 hours earlier, I would have probably given a Steelmen win by some 60 points or so, but with the news that Head Coach Neil Edwards has left Eugene Cross Park for the Gnoll, it brings up a few questions. On paper, the gulf between these two sides is vast but it will be interesting to see how the Steelmen respond to losing their talismanic coach that led them to back to back Division One East titles. Don’t get me wrong, I still see only one winner, but if the basement boys can take the fight to Ebbw early on, maybe it won’t be quite the one-sided contest many people predict.

Verdict - Ebbw Vale by 20 points

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Scarlets U16's romp to 32-0 win in East v West battle

The Scarlets showed great adventure in attack

Photo courtesy of AlfiePics

The Scarlets Under 16 showed all the running flair that has made their senior counterparts so many fans over the years, as they dismantled the Dragons U 16’s 32-0 at Parc y Scarlets.

Full back Jack Evans was the stand-out performer for the hosts, notching up 17 points as the Scarlets showed that West was best on this occasion.

Playing into the wind in the first half, the Scarlets showed good composure and authority beyond their years to steal a march on their rivals.

The Scarlets went ahead as early as the 7^th minute when, after great forward work, the pressure built on the Dragons line and they were unable to stop prop Richard Bassett bulldozing his way over, Evans adding the extras.

The Dragons were unable to find a way through the Scarlets defence.

Photo courtesy of AlfiePics

The Dragons did their best to hit back but came up against a resilient defence and they were once again on the back foot. A solid scrum on half way provided the Scarlets backs the chance to shine, with Evans on hand showing supreme pace to scythe through the opposition and go beneath the posts.

After the break, it was once again one way traffic as the hosts ran the ball at every opportunity, generating further touchdowns coming from Billy McBryde and Keiron Jones.

In the night's other regional fixture, Blues North were 20-18 narrow 

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Whites coach returns home bidding for Quins cup scalp

CARMARTHEN Quins make five changes to their starting line-up for tomorrow night’s British & Irish Cup group game against Swansea with a trio of Wales Sevens players returning to the fold.

Swansea head coach Mefin Davies, who returns to the club where he started his career, has yet to name his squad for the Pool 3 encounter at Carmarthen Park (7.15pm) as the visitors look to follow up last Saturday’s home victory over Dundee HSFP in the first round of fixtures.

That 43-17 win gave Davies’s men a much-needed confidence boost after a poor start to the Principality Premiership season while Quins picked up a bonus point in a 44-32 defeat at former winners Cornish Pirates on Sunday.

On paper, Swansea have the edge with four victories in the last five league meetings between the teams but have won just once in the Premiership so far this term while Quins beat Bridgend and Aberavon before the Pirates setback.

Sevens stars James Davies, Lee Williams and Rhys Jones are back for the hosts after being away on duty with Wales last weekend. Sion Bennett moves from the openside flank to the bench to accommodate Davies with Williams starting on the right wing as Rhys Thomas takes over from Chris Banfield at full-back.

Jones has to settle for a place on the bench but there is a debut for last season’s Wales under-18s fly-half, club and Scarlets Academy product Jack Maynard, who replaces James Dixon.

Up front, captain Ian Jones switches from the tighthead to the loosehead with Trystan Davies getting the nod for the number three jersey over Gareth Thomas. Carwyn Jones makes way for Gavin Evans at lock while Ricky Guest and Connor Lloyd come back in as replacements.

“Tomorrow has all the ingredients for a cracking game and we look forward to giving a warm welcome to former Quins player and current Swansea coach Mefin Davies and his men from Swansea,” said Quins team manager Steffan Thomas.

‘We will be looking to build on our performance last Sunday and for a win. This is a cup competition and we have to be bold and back ourselves. I am sure that confidence will be high in the Swansea camp after their big win last week but we feel we are a match for anyone in Carmarthen.

“I think this group may go down to the wire and bonus points could end up being important.”

Teams

Carmarthen Quins

15 Rhys Thomas; 14 Lee Williams, 13 Andrew Banfield, 12 Rheon James, 11 Jason Harries; 10 Jack Maynard, 9 Rhodri Wells; 1 Ian Jones, 2 Richard Wilkes, 3 Trystan Davies, 4 Gavin Evans, 5 Haydn Pugh, 6 Aidan Laxton, 7 James Davies, 8 Luke Joseph

Reps – Ricky Guest, Andrew Beaujean, Sion Bennett, Carwyn Jones, Connor Lloyd, Rhys Jones, Darren Daniel

Swansea – TBC

Referee – Cammy Rudkin (Scotland)

By David Williams

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Barry to mark centenary with glittering capital event

CARDIFF'S Angel Hotel is set to stage a special evening celebrating 100 years of Barry Town Football Club, it has been confirmed.

 

Details of the event on Friday, November 16 (7.30pm) have been announced by the Barry Town Supporters' Committee with former England international Ray Wilkins the guest speaker.

 

On arrival at the famous city centre hotel, located just a stone's throw from the Millennium Stadium, those attending will be greeted with a ‘100 Years of Barry Town’ exhibition of memories and memorabilia.

 

Old match-worn shirts, international caps, vintage programmes, trophies, pennants, classic photographs and more will be on show.

 

Guests will then be treated to a three-course meal, interspersed with specially-made film footage documenting memorable Barry Town matches and goals from across a century of football.

 

The fans' committee is extending an open invitation to anyone who played for or managed a Barry Town side in the past 100 years with a number of ex-players and coaches having already confirmed their attendance.

 

There will also be photo opportunities with many of the footballers present and supporters old and new are welcome to come and meet their heroes of yesteryear.

 

Added to that will be a turn by former Manchester United, Rangers and AC Milan midfielder Wilkins, who won 84 caps for his country and played at the World Cup for England in 1982 and 1986.

 

He will be speaking at length about his distinguished career as both a player, manager and coach as well as fielding questions from the audience.

 

The glittering event will also play host to a sporting auction with proceeds helping the non-profit Barry Town Supporters' Committee community enterprise to preserve Barry Town football into its second century.

 

Tickets for the event are on sale now at £40 per head or £400 for a table of ten. Call David Cole on 07557 665847 to book, e-mail Barry100@LIVE.com or buy online via www.ticketsource.co.uk/BarryTownSC

 

With almost 100 seats sold, supporters, friends and former Barry Town players are urged to book early to avoid disappointment.

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No Turkish delight for Boyle's Welsh semi-pros

WALES Under-23s ended their International Challenge Trophy campaign with a 5-0 defeat to Turkey at Port Talbot's GenQuip Stadium.

Taking on a side drawn from the Turkish top flight, Wales did well to go into the break only 1-0 down after creating a couple of half chances themselves in the first period.

The Turks took the lead on the stroke of half-time of the Group B clash through Galatasary's Sercan Yildirim and the same player added another soon after the restart.

Cenk Tosun of Gaziantepspor scored just past the hour mark and two further goals from substitute Sefa Yilmaz, who plies his trade with Kayserispor, ended a miserable night for the Welsh.

The defeat left Wales with one win from their three pool matches and bottom of a group which also included Norway and Estonia.

Wales's semi-pro team got their campaign off to a great start last October with a 2-1 victory in Estonia, but they then suffered a 4-0 loss at the hands of Norway in June.

After their comfortable win in South Wales, Turkey will now meet Russia in the final. The Russians have one pool match left to play against Italy but can't be caught at the top of the table.

Wales: Lee Idzi [Bangor], Mike Pearson [Barrow], Curtis McDonald [Brackley] (Jack Lewis 69), Lee Evans [Newport], Andrew Hughes [Newport] (Shane Sutton 62), Kai Edwards [TNS], Chris Jones [TNS], Aeron Edwards [TNS] (Ashley Evans 75), Luke Bowen [Llanelli] (David Brooks 75), Alex Darlington [TNS] (Jordan Follows 62), Ben Swallow [Newport].

Subs not used: Steve Cann, Scott Barrow.

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Griffiths guides Swansea to victory

A Ianto Griffiths-inspired Swansea University team saw the Green and White Army dig deep to kick-off their BUCS campaign with a fiercely contested 25-19 win over Cardiff Met at Cyncoed.

Outside half Griffiths put in an assured shift bagging 15 points for the visitors through a try, two conversions, a penalty and a drop goal.

Cardiff Met made 12 changes to the team that ran One East champions Ebbw Vale close on Saturday, not that it showed, with both sides quick out of the blocks with the ruck area being ferociously contested.

The hosts had much of the early ball but an opportunist charge down saw hooker Martyn Beddows regather in midfield, as the front row man showed good pace before being pulled down five metres out. 

With the Met defence in disarray, Swansea recycled quickly for wing Jackson Szabo to scythe through to go over under the posts, leaving Griffiths with a simple kick to give the Green and Whites a 7-0 lead after five minutes.

Cardiff Met hit back immediately with fly half Oli Carter punishing Swansea’s indiscipline at the ruck with a great touchline penalty. The hosts then began to overpower their visitors upfront with some impressive scrummaging, driving Swansea backwards and putting them under increasing pressure at the set piece.

With the hosts in the ascendancy at the scrum, they also started to exert pressure at the breakdown with the referee singling out Swansea players time and again for technical infringements, and Carter made it tell as he fired home another penalty from half way.

The game was beginning to bubble over with a number of altercations off the ball, as the Swansea forwards battled to reassert their authority. After the sixth penalty against them at the ruck, centre Josh Bartlett was singled out for not rolling away and sent to the sidelines for ten minutes.

With the man advantage, the Cyncoed men began to turn the screw with a number of driving mauls that were just held short as Swansea desperately defended their line, back row Reuben Tucker was particularly instrumental in fending off wave after wave of attack.

Although the hosts had the majority of possession and territory, they failed to breach the white line with simple handling errors halting their progress. However, they did move into the lead just before the interval with Carter once again finding the target.

The second half was only a few minutes old before another charge-down swung the momentum back in the Green and Whites' favour, Griffiths closing his opposite number down before hacking on the charge-down to outpace the cover defence and cross in the corner.

Things went from bad to worse for Cardiff Met shortly after relinquishing their lead, as Lewis Williams was sinbinned for back chat to the referee. Swansea now looked the more threatening, extending their lead with another Griffiths penalty, while diminutive full back Elliott Jones looked threatening every time he received the ball.

However, they failed to really make the one man advantage count and Cardiff Met hit back through another Carter penalty and were soon back up to their full compliment, suddenly looking the stronger side again. The hosts went through phase after phase of play before Jon Howard showed incredible strength to bulldoze his way over out wide, Carter adding the extras from a seemingly impossible angle to lead 19-15.

With ten minutes remaining, the Green and Whites regrouped and a cute grubber kick from centre Ben Mitchell put the Cardiff Met back three under pressure, giving Swansea a lineout five metres out. The catch and drive came edging closer to the line with Tucker eventually crashing over the whitewash for a much deserved try, Griffiths duly slotting the conversion to give his side a narrow lead.

Swansea were now in control, with Griffiths in particular playing a territory game, pushing Cardiff Met back to make them attack from deep, before the outside half sealed the match with a wonderful drop goal from half way. As the ball sailed through the posts, so Cardiff Met’s heads dropped.

Cardiff Met will next turn their attention to the Swalec Championship, with Llanharan the visitors on Saturday, while Swansea once again travel to the capital next Wednesday to face off against bitter rivals Cardiff at Llanrumney.

STAR MAN-IANTO GRIFFITHS- SWANSEA UNI

Cardiff Met- Rhys Davies-Horne, Lewis Williams, Spencer Lunn, Jack Lavin, James Beal, Oli Carter, Matt Walsh, Will Norton, Jon Howard, Tim Weber, Nick Leach, Miles Normandale, Stuart Ridler, Jake Smith, Charlie Stevenson. Reps- Tom Emery, Jamie Tucker, Chris Boyle, Cameron Setter, Conor Truman, Nick Hodgson

Tries: J Howard 67; Cons: O Carter 68; Pens: O Carter 5, 16, 37, 60.

Swansea University- Elliot Jones, Jackson Szabo, Josh Bartlett, Ben Mitchell, Andrew Claypole, Ianto Griffiths, George Hardy, Saman Rezapour, Martyn Beddows, Steffan Jones, Adam Scanlon, Jon Barley, James McWilliams-Grey, Jack Perkins, Reuben Tucker.

Tries: J Szabo 3, I Griffiths 45, R Tucker 73; Cons: I Griffiths 3, 74; Pens: I Griffiths 55; Drop Goal: I Griffiths 79.

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Rain can't dampen spirit of Derllys Court seniors

THE wet weather put paid to Derllys Court senior section’s Away Day at The Grove near Porthcawl but they weren’t going to let a bit of rain ruin their chances of playing some golf.

The 22 members who weren’t able to take to the seaside course returned home and got together to organise a hastily-arranged day of competitions.

In the team event, where the best two stableford scores on each hole would count, a four-ball of Chris Palmer, Peter Jones, Ian Robertson and Winston John recorded 84 points to triumph, one ahead of the trio of John Hartley, Barry Woodford and Clive Jones.

Hartley’s excellent 38 points earned him first place in division one (handicaps of 17 and below) of the individual event with Dave Wood taking second place. Chris Cousins and Phil Jones secured first and second respectively in division two.

The seniors were thankful for a break in the rain to enjoy their first visit as a team to Glyn Abbey. The visitors’ most successful partnership was Roy Gallop and Brian Newcombe. who played consistently and kept two balls in play on most holes for a deserved 5&4 victory.

The pairing of Clive Allman and Phil Rogers had a remarkable round against one lone Glyn Abbey member who got off to a rapid start to go 4up after four holes. Not to be dismayed, the visiting pair slowly fought back and an excellent back-nine saw them record a tremendous 3&2 win.

Unfortunately, these two wins and two halved matches was all the visitors could manage and they ended up losing the match 6-3.

The rain did, however, force the postponement of the first week of the Winter Eclectic which will now be played next Tuesday.

In a rearranged Channel League fixture, Glamorgan captain Ian Flower took a young side to St Enodoc to take on hosts Cornwall. After a couple of tight games just went the way of the home side Glamorgan trailed 3.5-1.5 after the morning foursomes.

The afternoon again saw a number of tight finishes with both sides sharing the spoils courtesy of two 1up wins. Five singles successes each wasn't quite good enough and the visitors went down 8.5-6.5 but Glamorgan juniors Delon Hau, Oliver Dickson and Tim Harry all returned victories in impressive performances.

Norma Barber and Kath Evans teamed up to win the Ladies Daily Mail Foursomes at Southerndown with a stableford score of 33 points. Judi Pickard and Amy Watkins were second on 31 with Chris Evans and Chris Gwilliam third.

Also at Southerndown, James Hunt’s net round of 69 was just good enough to take the White Box Medal, one stroke clear of Matthew Williams and Gavin Embling.

Gareth Davies needed countback to beat John Howell to the Past Captains Gold Medal at Ashburnham after both recorded a score of 42 points. Shane Davies, on 41, was a close third.

The Winter League at Carmarthen is up and running and it was Chris Pither with 40 points who took first place. He edged out Huw Smith by one point with Len Davies third on 35.

A fantastic 44 points saw Peter Moroney claim the Knights Roy Griffiths Cup with Ian Griffiths second on 42 and Martin Richards third with 40.

Results

Ashburnham

Past Captains Gold Medal; 1. G. Davies 42pts, 2. J. Howell 42, 3. S. Davies 41

Carmarthen

Winter League 1; 1. C. Pither 40pts, 2. H. Smith 39, 3. L. Davies 35

Knights Roy Griffiths Cup; 1. P. Moroney 44pts, 2. I. Griffiths 42, 3. M. Richards 40

Langland Bay

Monthly Medal; (div one) 1. A. Thomas 77-10=67, 2. D. Allnatt 81-12=69, 3. Ad. Kamil 78-8=70, (div two) 1. A. Marchant 83-18=65, 2. A. Ballantine 81-15=66, 3. P. Matthews 84-16=68, (div three) 1. M. Rees 86-19=67, 2. Al. Kamil 100-24=76, 3. M. Hollyman 97-19=78

Southerndown

Ladies Daily Mail Foursomes; 1. N. Barber & K. Evans 33pts, 2. J. Pickard & A. Watkins 31, 3. C. Evans & C. Gwilliam 28

White Box Medal; 1. J. Hunt 81-12=69, 2. M. Williams 78-9=70, 3. G. Embling 79-9=70

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