Bargoed see lead cut after Tata draw

Pacemakers Bargoed saw their lead cut to two points at the top of the Championship, as they failed to win for the first time this season and instead having to settle for a 28-28 draw at Tata Steel.

The Blues, who have so far blown all opposition away, looked on course for a routine win as they led 23-13 at the break, but an inspired second half performance from the hosts ensured Tata ended the day with a share of the spoils.

However, Bargoed did outscore their rivals four tries to three - which ensured they also clinched a try bonus point - thanks to touchdowns from Lewis Protheroe (2), Gareth Dare and James Pizey.

Normal service was resumed at Ebbw Vale meanwhile, as they recovered from their shock loss at Whitland last week to clinically dispatch Beddau 36-0 at Eugene Cross Park.

Speedster Wes Cunliffe was the star man for the Steelmen racing in a hat-trick, while there were also tries for Josh Lewis, Spencer Gibson and Dan Haymond.

The Wanderers' Haval Ibrahim is held by the Students' defence

Photo courtesy of Glamorgan Wanderers

In a high scoring contest, Cardiff Met convincingly saw off Glamorgan Wanderers 42-28 at the Memorial Ground.

The Students are starting to purr along nicely and were too strong for the hosts, running in five tries through wing Pierre Tucker (2), Sam Cross, Miles Normandale and Adam Lewis, while Matt O’Brien notched up 17 points with the boot.

The Wanderers didn’t end the day empty handed, however, as they chalked up a bonus point thanks to tries from Ross Gibbon, Ed Doe, Owen Marshall and Ianto Griffiths.

Meanwhile, Whitland could not reproduce the performance that saw them defeat Ebbw Vale last week as they went down 26-12 at third placed Newbridge.

Newbridge’s Dan Mock had a début to remember as he grabbed a double for the hosts, while Ryan Lee and Trevor James also crossed.

In a try fest at the Lewis Lloyd Ground, Narberth triumphed 41-27 over Bridgend Athletic in a match where defending was at a premium. The Otters ran in six tries in total with Jonny Morgan grabbing a brace, while Athletic left with a bonus point after they crossed four times.

Elsewhere, Matthew McGovern scored a hat-trick and Ethan Davies contributed 22 points as Blackwood beat Bonymaen 42-29 at Glan-yr-Afon Park. The visitors managed to salvage a bonus point thanks to tries for Rob Ford, Nathan Brooks, Dan Griffiths and Richard Jones.

In the day's other fixture, both Pontypool and Llanharan ended the day with 14 men while three more players were yellow carded in a feisty affair at Pontypool Park, but it was the Dairyman that left with the win, squeaking to a 24-23 victory.

A 30 man brawl erupted on the half hour mark which saw Keiron Dineen dismissed for the hosts, while Callum Thomas saw red for the Dairymen.

The visitors, who had lost their last few matches on the bounce, crossed four times with captain Nathan Huish leading by example with a brace.

Pooler nearly sneaked the win at the end, however, as Luke Dychkoff crossed late on to grant them the chance to steal it with the conversion, but unfortunately for them it failed to find the target.