Swalec lower league round-up

There were some high-scoring wins in the Swalec lower leagues yesterday, including Rhiwbina, Bedlinog and Senghenydd breaking the 50-point barrier in Two East.

Second-placed Rhiwbina handed a 63-6 thrashing out to Abercynon, with Paul Maddock scoring three of their nine tries, and Brett Chatwin grabbing a brace.

Leaders Bedlinog also won 63-0 at Tylorstown.

James Richards also scored a hat-trick as Senghenydd put 10 tries past Garndiffaith in a 71-18 win, while Elliot Jones, Bedwyr Harries, Simon Williams, Lewis Montague and Alex James were on the mark for Llantrisant as they beat Fleur De Lys 39-24.

In Two West, Andrew Phillips, Rhys Davies, Gavin Thomas and Richard Sharpe-Williams all scored touchdowns for second-placed Crymych in their 33-13 win over Seven Sisters, with Davies also converting two and adding three penalties.

Felinfoel ran in six tries as they triumphed 46-29 at Maesteg Quins to climb above them and Seven Sisters in to third. Luke Marsh wrestled through for a brace, with Eliot Ball, Jason Frater, Dale Watts and Dan Thomas also going over the whitewash. Aled Roberts converted five of them and also kicked two penalties.

Two Ian Ellis scores helped Aberystwyth to a 22-5 win over Penclawdd, while Maesteg thumped basement club Haverfordwest 62-10. They ran in 10 tries in total – Nicky Fisher (three), Owain Evans (two), Karl Hocking (two), Mark Hillier-Rees, Grant Epton and Corey Butler all on target.

In Two North, Machynlleth crossed 14 times in their 86-0 drubbing of Llandudno, something of a surprise result. Gerwyn Coleman and Kameron Simmons-Sandy both grabbed hat-tricks in that one.

In Three West, second-placed Newcastle Emlyn scored nine tries as they beat Pontyberem 59-24. Both Daniel Davies’ were on the scoresheet, as were Mike Jones, Owen Powell, Alyn Howells, Llyr Jones and Shaun Leonard (twice).

Cardigan got the better of Milford Haven 47-11, with Justin Crompton and Tom Turner top-scoring with two tries apiece. Llyr Griffiths, Colin Davies and Rhydian Jenkins were their other scorers, with Crompton also kicking six conversions.

Three South East leaders Dowlais kept chugging towards the title as they triumphed 31-8 at Brecon. Keri Morgan grabbed two tries, while Christian Owens, Bleddyn Rees and Darryl Jenkins also crossed.

Second-placed Pontyclun kept the chase up with a five-try, 31-8 triumph at Brecon.

Vardre won the battle of the bottom two with Aberavon Green Stars in Three South West. Ian Thomas grabbed two tries, with Jamie Taylor, Sean Raymond and Dai Knight also notching in a 34-31 victory.

With Newtown’s fixture with Porthmadog postponed in Three North, Wrexham took advantage with a 50-5 win at Holyhead to climb up to second, although Newtown and leaders Rhos now have a game in hand over them.

Elsewhere, Menai Bridge beat Welshpool 45-14 to keep their very, very slim title hopes alive. Adam Goodwin and captain David Williams both slid over for braces, with Ollie O’Brien and Jack Owens adding others.

The top four all won in Four South West, with second-placed Glyncorrwg picking up what must be one of the biggest ever Welsh league wins – 156-0 against basement club Birchgrove.

They ran in 24 tries, with Steffan Hnatiuk helping himself to seven of them, and Gareth Kingman, Josh Thomas, Damien Warlow, Lee Bevan and Gareth Goodridge all grabbing braces. The latter converted 18 of them for a personal tally of 46 points, and Steve Tremlett, Ioan Williams, Steffan Williams, Anthony Davies, Rhys Harris, Jonathan Howells and Nathan Down also got scores.

The result smashed the club record win of 120-0 over Porthcawl in 2006/07, with the seven tries by Hnatiuk equalling the record set by Goodridge in the same game.

Leaders Penlan beat Briton Ferry 14-57 on their own patch, James Jenkins and Dafydd Pritchard grabbing braces of touchdowns. Luke Davies, Rhys Thomas, Rob Green, Rob Dallaglio and Nathaniel Llewellyn made it nine tries for the top side.

In Four East, New Tredegar were also try-happy, putting leaders Cilfynydd to the sword 43-5. A Ricky Hawkins hat-trick and braces for winger Gavin Stockman and center Daniel Davies opened up the door for second-placed Blaenavon, who moved a point behind them with two games in hand thanks to a 36-8 triumph over Chepstow.

They ran in six scores from as many players – Matthew Davies, Steve Howard, Dan Morgan, Dan Phillips, Marc Watkins, Darren Walters all able to celebrate, with Adam Williams converting three of them.

The title may be out of their reach now in Four West, but that didn’t stop Llanybydder putting Bettws in their place with a 71-12 home win. Dyfryg Davies scored four of their 11 touchdowns, with Gethin Davies and Llyr Davies helping themselves to braces and Llyr Jones, Gary Evans and Rhydian Davies also crossing.

Champions Tycroes won 40-15 away at Laugharne.

Glyncoch continued their incredible unbeaten record, stretching back two seasons, as they secured the Five South Central title with a tight 25-21 victory over Ogmore Vale.

Rhys Jones, Gareth Way and Lawson Hancox all dived over, with Lee Goddard converting two and kicking two penalties.

There were two big wins in Five South West, courtesy of the new top two in the division.

Leaders Cwmgors won 50-39 at Baglan courtesy of hat-tricks by Richard Gregg and Steff Rees and a sole Lee Howells score.

Matthew Bagley (four), Nathan Jenkins (three), Chris Jones, Kevin Madge and Iwan Jones all crossed for Penybanc as they kept up their title chase with a 60-10 beating of Cwmtwrch, climbing above them in to third, with that result really denting Cwmtwrch’s own title hopes.

The final big victors of the day were Cambrian Welfare, who won the Six South Central crown courtesy of a 38-3 victory away at closest rivals Treharris, scoring six tries in the process.

The top two both also won in Division Seven, with leaders Cathays overcoming Aberbeeg 42-22, and Whitchurch keeping a point behind them with a 49-10 victory over West Mon. Both teams have just two fixtures to play.