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.