Welsh rugby weekend round-up

Despite it being another international weekend, there was plenty of rugby played in Wales due to the weather-caused increasing fixture pile-up, with both league and Cup matches taking place.

There were no real shocks in the Swalec Plate third round fixtures played over the weekend, with all results going the way of the teams in higher divisions.

Of the three games played, Penallta overcame Nelson 16-7 with the help of a James Powell try, meaning the holders are through to the fourth round where they travel to Heol y Cyw.

Division One West’s Kenfig Hill came through a tricky trip to Two West’s Seven Sisters with a 24-13 win, while One East’s Rhydyfelin overcame Two East’s Rhiwbina 29-13.

The Bowl did throw up one unexpected result, with Nantyglo of Division Five east running out 20-8 winners at Four East’s Hafodyrynys.

Elsewhere, Blaenavon overcame Brynithel 17-3 thanks to tries from Jamie Noble, Scott Creese and Wayne Redmon and a Dan Phillips conversion.

Pontycymmer progressed via a 14-8 home win over Bryncethin, and Penybanc cruised through by defeating New Dock Stars 34-0 away from home.

In the leagues, RGC1404 moved to within two points of Ystrad Rhondda at the top of Division One East with a 60-5 away win at Tredegar.

Rhodri Carlton Jones and Afon Bagshaw each grabbed a brace of tries, while Carwyn ap Myrddin, Mike Jones, Bryn Williams, Kelvin Davies, Hari Evans and a penalty try adding to the score.

Ystrad Rhondda posted a win of their own on Friday night (February 8) – a much tighter 23-20 win over Rumney, with Dave Gratton grabbing the only try for the home side. Rick Truelove kicked six penalties for their other points.

In Division One West, the bottom two sides met as Aberavon Quins hosted Skewen. The away side picked up only their second win of the season as the winless Quins fell to a 37-5 defeat, a Michael Parfitt try the only points to show for their efforts.

At the top, Cwmllynfell closed the gap between themselves and Tondu to four points with a 12-8 home win over Llangennech. Ryan Bayliss and Carl Ackland were the home side’s try scorers.

The other fixture in the division saw Carmarthen Athletic leave Ammanford with a 41-14 win under their belts. Luke Menshall scored a brace of tries for the visitors, while Adam Davies, Rhys Schiavone and Dyfed Morgan also crossed. Scott Maynard kicked four conversions and a penalty.

In Division One North, Pwllheli moved to within three points of leaders Nant Conwy courtesy of a 35-17 victory at Dolgellau. They scored five tries through Osian Jones (two), Rhys Williams, Arwel Thomas and David Brunelli, while Carwyn Pugh and Owan Thomas crossed for the home side.

Bedlinog extended their lead at the top of Division Two East with a 21-12 win at Abercynon. Two tries from Craig Davies and Ben Gressica, who also kicked a conversion and three penalties, were enough for the away side to see out the win.

Trebanos moved 14 points clear at the top of Division Three South West with a 28-12 win over Bryncoch. Sean Hamer, Rhodri Williams, Andrew Penhale and Nick Daniadovitz ran in four tries for the hosts, while Rhodri Thomas kicked two penalties and a conversion.

The boot of Craig Thomas kicked all of Bryncoch’s reply.

Elsewhere, Brynamman defeated Neath Athletic 22-7 thanks in large to five penalties and a conversion from a penalty try by Dafydd Jones.

In Division Three East, Brynmawr won an important relegation battle with Abercarn 48-0, which leaves them just a point behind their opponents and two ahead of second-bottom Croesyceiliog.

Matty Jordan (two), Dafydd Knapp (two), Adam Lane and Michael White were their try scorers, with Liam Crandon kicking 18 points.

At the top, Newport HSOB are now nine points clear of Caerphilly after a six-try, 46-15 triumph at home to Talywain.

Tycroes picked up their 12^th win in 12 league games at the top of Four West, thanks to a 46-12 win over lowly Burry Port. Matthew Edwards ran in a hat-trick of tries, with Arwen Evans, John Ogden and Grant Williams also crossing.

Having trailed 27-0 at half-time, Burry Port put in a much improved second half performance and scored tries through Richard Parker and Daniel Wills.

Elsewhere, Fishguard narrowly defeated Laugharne 16-12, with a try, conversion and three penalties all coming from James Griffiths.

CRC Caerdydd climbed to the top of Division Four South East with a 22-8 win at Cowbridge. Oliver Jenkins kicked 17 points for the visitors as they climbed above Wattstown in the table.

Cefn Cribbwr picked up their fifth win of the campaign in Four South West with a 23-8 win over Pontardawe, while Monmouth defeated Chepstow 31-13 in Four East, Cwmtwrch ran out 38-11 winners at Alltwen in Five South West, and Cwmgors won 36-5 at bottom side Llangadog in the same division.