Llanelli’s 37-5 win, along with a pretty hefty defeat at home to Llandovery last Saturday, sees Neath making a very suspect start to the season following an opening day success over Swansea.
Last week’s predictions (four outcomes right out of six) were an improvement on week one (two out of six) though the margins of victory weren’t quite as accurate.
Welsh Premiership predictions (week three);
Bedwas v Swansea
I expect this to be a close one given that Swansea won last time out and Bedwas, despite shipping 50 points at Pontypridd, scored four tries and beat Carmarthen at home on the first day of new campaign.
The corresponding fixture last season went right down to the wire with Bedwas fly-half Richard Powell nailing a long-range penalty off the crossbar to seal a dramatic 15-13 win with virtually the last kick of the game.
Verdict – Bedwas by four points
Cardiff v Newport
I fear for Cardiff this season. It’s still very early but 83 points conceded in two defeats isn’t a good way to lay down a marker for the rest of the campaign.
On the other hand, Newport, even without the red card and two yellows in their hammering by Llanelli last Friday, looked a side lacking any sort of cutting edge.
If they keep a full complement on the field at the Arms Park they should come away with the points against a side whose confidence has been hit.
Verdict – Newport by seven points
Carmarthen Quins v Pontypridd
Pontypridd went try crazy against Bedwas on Saturday but will recall only too well what happened when they travelled to Carmarthen in February – Quins won 27-26 in a classic encounter.
And although they lost at Bedwas a fortnight ago, Quins again showed they are a force to be reckoned with at Carmarthen Park with a 35-25 victory over Cardiff last weekend.
That said, Pontypridd look in ominously good form and although they should find it tough, Dale McIntosh’s men will have the strength to come through.
Verdict – Pontypridd by nine points
Cross Keys v Aberavon
Due to a fixture switch last time out, Cross Keys will be playing their third straight home game this Saturday and they go up against a team who are probably feeling slightly hard done by so far.
Aberavon were edged out by Newport and then firmly in contention at Swansea until the All Whites scored two late tries to give the scoreline a more one-sided look to it.
Keys responded to defeat by Pontypridd with a comfortable win against Bridgend and will start this encounter as clear favourites.
Verdict – Cross Keys by nine points
Llandovery v Bridgend
Bridgend will undoubtedly have their work cut out at Church Bank following Llandovery’s brilliant start to the season with convincing 48-22 and 37-17 successes at Cardiff and Neath respectively.
They have home advantage for the first time this term and if they play like they have done over the last two weeks there will only be one result.
Verdict – Llandovery by 12 points
By David Williams
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