Sunday, 28 April 2013

Ebbw Vale celebrate Championship title with another entertaining win

A high-scoring day in the Swalec Championship saw newly-crowned champions Ebbw Vale celebrate their mid-week title with an entertaining 45-28 victory at Narberth’s Lloyd Lewis Ground.

The Steelmen were welcomed to the pitch with a guard of honour for this complete try-fest, and it didn’t take them long to get going. They crossed three times either side of the break through Wes Cunliffe (twice), Dan Ajuwa, Polu Uhi, Charlie Simpson and Adam Jones to punch six more tries on to their record for the season.

The Otters played their part in an entertaining encounter and came away with a try bonus point of their own thanks to touchdowns from Ollie Reyland, Mick Jones, Wayne Williams and Rhys Lane.

At the other end of the table, Glamorgan Wanderers have lost their battle with relegation after they went down 33-17 to Beddau at the Memorial Ground.

The Wanderers needed a bonus point win to keep their slim chances alive but came up short, as they were outscored three tries to four. The writing has been on the wall for a long time, including their heavy mid-week defeat to The Steelmen as they secured their crown, but it will still hurt the supporters of the famous old club.

The Green and Golds’ tries came courtesy of Tom Benjamin, Luke Crocker, Joe Casella and Adam Williams, while the Wands crossed through Josh Hurley, Gareth Armstrong and Steff Simpson as their Championship stay came to an end after just a season.

Pontypool, meanwhile, ended their season on a high with their seventh win of their campaign as they edged out third placed Tata Steel 15-14 in something of a shock.

Full back Clayton Gullis kicked five penalties for all the home side’s points, while some heroic defence ensured the visitors came up short, and will give Pooler fans some hope ahead of next season.

Llanharan also rounded off a solid campaign with another entertaining victory on the day as they dispatched Bridgend Athletic 43-33.

Harley Thomson crossed the whitewash twice for the hosts, converted five of their six tries and kicked a penalty to make him the hero of the afternoon. Their four other touchdowns came from wingers Rhys Walker and Morgan Williams, as well as Gavin Smith and Bill Carey.

Steven Lewis starred for the away side, scoring a try and converting four of their five ventures over the line. The others came twice from No8 Sean Derrick, as well as single scores by second row Paul Jones and Matt Muir.

Elsewhere, Bargoed ran in seven tries as they dispatched basement boys Whitland 43-12.

All of the home sides’ points came via four Scott Newton penalties, but Bargoed had a whale of a time in the Whitland 22. Darren Humphries broke through for a hat-trick, with James Tizey, Simon Parry, Chris Mapps and Christian Perry also finding their way through.

Cardiff Met narrowly saw off Bonymaen 17-13 at Parc Mawr. Rodney Davies scored their sole try, with Matt O’Brien kicking three penalties and a drop goal to seal the win. The hosts out-scored their visitors two-tries-to-one through Luke Myatt and Nathan Brooks, with Richard Cunniffe also kicking a penalty.

Finally, Neil Burnett guided Newbridge to a narrow 26-24 win over Blackwood, the enigmatic outside half notching up 21 of his side’s points in a sterling performance consisting of a try, two conversions and four penalties. Wayne Dyer slid over for their other score.

The Caerphilly side replied through two Matthew McGovern touchdowns and a third by Nicky Tucker, with Paul Emanuelli kicking three penalties.

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