Steelmen close in on Championship title

Ebbw Vale now look odds on to take the inaugural Championship title, after the Steelmen opened up an 18 points advantage at the summit with a routine 45-20 win over Bridgend Athletic.

 The Steelmen were on top throughout and helped themselves to eight tries, with Damien Hudd, Wes Cunliffe, Adam Jones, Ronny Kynes, Luke Davies, Spencer Gibson and Charlie Simpson all crossing.

The trophy is now Jason Strange’s men to lose after their closest rivals Bargoed slipped to their third loss of the season in a physical encounter against Newbridge, 18-13.

A brace from Johnny Morris and five points from the boot of Neil Burnett helped Newbridge to a 15-3 half time lead. The Blues came back after the break with tries from Luke Smalley and Lee Pearson, but a further Burnett penalty kept the hosts at bay to secure Newbridge’s 14^th win.

In a 12 try thriller at the Dairyfield, it was a last minute touchdown from Narberth wing James Russell that ensured the visitors took home the spoils.

The Otters, who were down 26-3 at one stage, showed a never say die attitude as both sides flung the ball wide at every opportunity, wing Will Lewis (2), Lawrence Reynolds, Olly Rayland and Russell crossed the whitewash for the visitors.

Llanharan, who were looking to halt a three match losing streak, may wonder how they came to lose the match from such a dominant position. The hosts' Harley Thomson was their outstanding performer, claiming 21 points that included a hat-trick of tries, while Rhys Walker, Nathan Huish and Sion Summers also went over.

In the race for a top three finish, Tata Steel overcame Cardiff Met 27-20 at the students' Cyncoed home.

The Port Talbot side crossed three times through prop Sean Crocker, Andrew Collins and a length of the field interception touchdown from Simon Evans, while Gareth Walters kicked ten points.

The Students welcomed back captain Sam Cross from Wales 7’s duties, who got on the score sheet for the hosts along with scrum half Rhodri Davies. Outside half Mark Cooke added ten points with the boot, including a penalty with the last kick of the match, to claim a losing bonus point.

Meanwhile, in another great advert for Championship rugby, Blackwood overcame Beddau 34-32.

The match was nip and tuck throughout with the Glan yr Afon outfit crossing five times through Rhys Humphreys (2), Gareth Williams (2) and Mike Bickle, while Dan Butler added nine points with the boot.

The Green and Golds' Andy Humberstone looks to be a great signing for the club as he once again produced the goods, picking 17 points including a try, while Luke Croker, Dai Francis and Rob Downes also went over.

At the bottom of the of table, Glamorgan Wanderers remain six points from safety after they suffered a 17-14 loss as Pontypool’s revival continues. The Wanderers' outside half Ianto Griffiths had a chance to level proceedings with a penalty with the last kick of the match, but his effort drifted agonisingly wide.

Elsewhere, basement boys Whitland, who look doomed for relegation, claimed only their second win of the season as they saw off Bonymaen 18-13. Scott Newton, Keiran White and Tommy Jones all touching down for the Borderers.