Cunliffe's timely intervention take Ebbw Vale to the top

Swalec Championship and Division One East, West and North weekend review

EVERYONE in rugby knows how devastating an interception can be, particularly if it leads to a try and it’s in a crucial game with a lot riding on it.

That’s just what happened in the Rhymney Valley yesterday as one mistake or piece of opportunism (depending which side you’re on) decided the outcome of the top-of-the-table clash in the Championship.

Hosts Bargoed and visitors Ebbw Vale, second in the standings behind the Blues going into the fixture, were level at 3-3 when Vale wing Wes Cunliffe’s gamble 40 metres out paid off and he ended up under the posts for Josh Lewis to convert with just six minutes left of normal time.

Until then it had been a nail-biting affair all the way with a Lewis penalty cancelling out Josh Prosser’s first-half effort.

Because of the rain leading up to kick-off, four matches were postponed with only those at Bargoed, Beddau and Bonymaen getting the go-ahead.

And it wasn’t exactly a points-fest in the Championship with 43 scored in the three games, the highest total coming at Beddau where the hosts sprung something of a shock by beating third-placed Newbridge 9-7.

They had trailed 7-6 after 40 minutes with Newbridge getting a penalty try which Neil Burnett converted. Tom Benjamin had kept the home side in touch with a couple of penalties and it took just one more in the second period to win it.

Luckless Pontypool came up short again, this time at Bonymaen where they lost 11-3. Clayton Gullis scored Pooler’s only points as Nathan Brooks got the game’s sole try and Richard Cunniffe knocked over a brace of penalties for the Swansea club.

In One East, Ystrad Rhondda opened the gap on closest challengers at the top RGC 1404 with a nervy 10-8 win over the North Walians.

Alex Webber’s try and Rhys Truelove’s conversion and penalty sealed it for Ystrad while Carwyn ap Myrddin’s touchdown and a Mitchell McGahan penalty at least gave RGC a losing bonus point.

In the other games to beat the weather, Mountain Ash put in an excellent battling performance against Penallta before eventually succumbing 17-11 with two Gavins, Jones and Spiller, helping the Pitmen over the finish line. Meanwhile, Gilfach Goch won 17-7 away at Rhydyfelin, who could have gone into second with a win.

Tondu are beginning to turn One West into a procession and they are now 11 points clear of Cwmllynfell after beating Glynneath 30-13. Cwmllynfell’s match at Kidwelly was one of the many fixtures in the Swalec Leagues to be called off.

David Bishop, Matthew Phillips, Gareth Powell and Paul Smithson crossed the whitewash for Tondu, who also earned a penalty try. James Parry scored Glynneath’s only try having been in touch at half-time.

Alan Pope grabbed a brace and Johnny Lewis, Andrew Rees-Spowart, Dai Evans and Dan Moyle also scored for Waunarlwydd in their 42-17 victory over Llangennech. The visitors were well in the game at the interval before the hosts moved through the gears although Rhys Davies did cross twice for Llangennech.

Nicky Giles landed four penalties and converted Alan Brace’s try while Matthew Tossell also knocked over a three-pointer for Kenfig Hill as they won a classic at home to Carmarthen Athletic 22-21.

The hosts were outscored three tries to one, however, but ultimately that didn’t matter. Scott Maynard converted all three of Athletic’s tries, two of which were penalty tries and the other a Gareth Bennett effort.

Loughor produced the shock of the day in One West when they won 21-8 at Ammanford, who had started the day in fourth. A hat-trick of penalties and conversion from Tom Davies together with a penalty try and score for wing Richard Thomas did the trick while Senor Iaono replied with a try for the hosts.

Nant Conwy’s lead at the top of One North was cut by Bro Ffestiniog as the former crashed to a narrow 9-8 reverse at Dolgellau, for whom Tom Roberts scored all the points.

Bro Ffestiniog were made to fight hard for the four points during their 17-9 triumph over Ruthin. Aaron Aspen got the only try of the game for Bro who had Barry Roberts to thank as his four penalties secured a vital win.

Bottom club Llangefni lost for the eighth time this season going down 32 -11 at home to Bala. Huw Roberts was on form with the boot, slotting five penalties and a conversion. Pwllheli crossed six times in a 44-8 away win against Bethesda.

Jon Pugh and Kevin Morris both scored two tries and Deio Brunelli and Nick Butterworth, who contributed 19 points in total, also scored. Finally, Caernarfon were another side to win on the road as they defeated Mold 26-18.

Robert Williams, Joe Simpson and Iola Hughes touched down for the visitors while Matthew Condren and Ollie Hughes did the same for Mold.