Carmarthen Quins made light work of the conditions to cruise into the second round of the Swalec Cup with a comfortable 36-15 victory over Narberth at the Lewis Lloyd Ground.
The Quins were wary of history repeating itself going into the match with the Premiership side falling to lower league opposition last season, but the visitors were on the front foot from the outset, with centre Alex Pickersgill opening proceedings with a well-taken try.
With a strong wind in their favour, Quins ran in a further four tries before the interval with scrum half Rhodri Wells grabbing a brace, while Chris Banfield and Rheon James also went over to lead 31-3 at the break.
Narberth, who are having a fine season in the Championship, did have the better of the second half with Stuart Morris crossing, while the referee awarded a penalty try for a trip on Steve Martin. James Russell added a conversion to go with his first half penalty but the damage had already been done.
It was the visitors that were to have the final say with Banfield racing over for his second of the match.
In the capital, Cardiff Met were denied a famous Swalec Cup victory, as James Thomas crossed at the death to spare seven time winners Cardiff's blushes in the first round at the Arms Park.
Indiscipline very nearly cost the hosts dearly, with back row Dan Crimmins given his marching orders on the hour mark for a second yellow, while Ryan Harford was also sinbinned early on.
The Students, who sit third in the Championship, settled any early nerves thanks to a Miles Normandale touchdown, with Matt O’Brien adding the extras and firing over a penalty.
However, it was the Premiership side that would lead at the interval thanks to two Joe Griffin penalties and a try from flanker Reuben Tucker.
As proceedings progressed, the playing surface began to resemble a treacle topped pitch with it becoming very much a war of attrition up front, but the young students' pack more than held their own.
The Blue and Blacks continued to fall foul of the referee, with fly half O’Brien on hand to punish the hosts and looked to have booted his team to a cup upset, as they led 16-13 going into the final ten minutes.
Outside half Thomas ensured there would be no fairytale ending for the Students though, as he jinked over to break the visitors’ hearts.
Backed by a boisterous following, Cardiff Met tried desperately to regain the advantage but Martyn Fowler’s men were not to be denied as they sealed a hard-fought place in round two.
Premiership strugglers Swansea avoided a potential banana skin when they entertained the Swalec Cup’s lowest ranked team RGC 1404 at St Helens.
The hosts were comfortable winners in the end but the North Wales side certainly made them work for the win.
With an average age of just 19.5 years, it was perhaps no surprise that the visitors were a little naive at times and tried to play running rugby in suicidal situations. The All Whites made them pay in the opening half then, with tries from James McWilliams-Gray, Nathan Brooks Nicky Harwood and Aled Jenkins, the latter converted by full back Nicky J Thomas.
Chris Horsman’s men regrouped, raising their game after the break and their tenacious tackling began to pay dividends as they dominated the third quarter. They were eventually rewarded when replacement Rhodri Evans returned a Swansea kick with interest, with Carwyn Ap Myrddin finishing off the move to score from close range.
The North Walians continued to cause problems but were unable to turn pressure into points, and Swansea restored their twenty point lead when referee Kelvin Shorte awarded the All Whites a penalty try for a collapsed scrum.
RGC weren’t finished, however, and had the last say when substitute Callum Mitchell crossed from close range for an unconverted try.
Bridgend, twice winners of the Welsh Cup more than a quarter of a century ago, eased their way into the second round of this season’s competition with an emphatic derby victory over the town’s Athletic side at the Brewery Field.
They produced an outstanding performance, despite being greatly below strength due to calls on their players to do LV Cup duty with the Ospreys against the Dragons last night.
One of the stars was ironically former Athletic back row man, Tom Morgan, who was sin-binned early in the game, before returning to the field to cross for an important try.
He proved the scourge of the Athletic team, continually being a key man in their set piece dominance.
Wing Rhys Ward-Jones, another ex-Athletic player, also made a significant mark on his rare appearance for the Premiership side, going over for a try in each half.
Athletic were still just in contention at the interval trailing only 14-3, but the Ravens consolidated their advantage in the second period and deserved to march on with something to spare.
Andrew Waite and Scott Hicks both crossed after the break, while Lewis Williams converted three of the five touchdowns.
All Bridgend Athletic could manage was a Steve Lewis penalty after just three minutes which gave the Division One side the lead, albeit short-lived
Elsewhere, fourteen times winners Llanelli were dumped out of the Cup by Pontyrpidd at Parc y Sacrlets, while the other five scheduled ties fell foul of the the inclement weather.
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