The opening round of fixtures produced some impressive wins for the likes of Pontypool and Narberth while Ebbw Vale gave newcomers RGC 1404 a warm welcome to Championship life when they travelled up to Colwyn Bay with a comprehensive 31-16 result.
The Steelmen are involved in the undoubted tie of the weekend
when last season’s winners take on last season’s runners up, Bargoed, at Eugene
Cross Park.
Blackwood v
Llanharan
With both sides beginning the 2013-14
campaign with defeats, it will be imperative to pick up momentum
even at this early stage. Some sections of the Llanharan camp
may still be left bewildered at the large margin of their loss to Cardiff Met after
they had raced into a 12-0 lead early on. They travel to Glan-yr-Afon Park this
weekend to take on a Blackwood outfit that will be smarting after such a narrow
opening defeat to Bridgend Athletic. I fancy a close game here and think it
could be decided by the finest of margins. Blackwood’s home advantage will
likely prove to be the deciding factor.
Verdict – Blackwood by 4 points.
Cardiff Met v Bonymaen
Despite dominating much of the possession
and territory against Llanharan, Cardiff Met showed a distinct lack of fluency
or panache for long periods of the game. But in lively wingers James Beal and
Pierre Tucker as well as abrasive flanker Jamie Harries, the students have more
than enough quality in their ranks to see off teams when they start firing on
all cylinders. Bonymaen were on the end of the biggest defeat of the week
against Narberth and I feel as though history could repeat itself this weekend.
With the BUCS season yet to begin, Cardiff Met could take some stopping during
the early season’s fixtures.
Verdict – Cardiff Met by 22 points.
Ebbw Vale v Bargoed
What a treat at this stage of the
campaign! Even early on, this encounter could go a long way to deciding the
outcome of the Championship. Jason Strange’s men announced the signing of two
new players to their already impressive squad this week in the form of David James
and Tom McAloon. James is a wing/centre who has represented Wales at Rugby
League as well as having spells at Newbridge, Blackwood and Newport. 19-year old
Cardiff Blues Academy product McAloon impressed during pre-season friendlies
against Nantyglo and Builth Wells. As promotion is now on the cards from the
Championship, the Steelmen will be more determined than ever to finish in first
place once again. With the experience of Neil Burnett now pulling the strings
at fly-half for Bargoed, it would be foolish to write them off completely
against Ebbw Vale. But with the influential Damien Hudd and industrious Ronnie
Kynes leading from the front, it would take a brave man to bet against the
Eugene Cross Park outfit.
Verdict – Ebbw Vale by 8 points.
Narberth v RGC 1404
RGC got a rude awakening to life in the
Championship last weekend when they were well beaten by Ebbw Vale. Last season’s
Division One East winners must look to win their home games and turn Parc
Eirias into a fortress if they are going to avoid the drop after being promoted.
Although the Colwyn Bay side may have secretly expected the worst from last
weekend’s encounter against such a strong and established Championship side.
Their next test is a trip to Pembrokeshire where they take on Narberth. The
Otters were superb in their drubbing of Bonymaen and could be a surprise
package this year if they can keep their squad fit and healthy. I feel RGC 1404
will be fine this season but I’m not expecting them to gain their first win
just yet.
Verdict – Narberth by 13 points.
Newbridge v Tata Steel
Tata Steel could be another side to pose
a major threat to Ebbw Vale’s crown this season. Led by the former Maesteg prop
Gareth Edwards, they have a pack that would be the envy of most teams and some skilful
backs who are more than capable of producing moments of brilliance. They began
with a decent if unspectacular 22-6 win over Tondu and will hope for another
result when they travel to The Welfare Ground on Saturday. Newbridge were poor
and did not manage a single point against Bargoed in their previous fixture and
a dramatic improvement will be needed. This game could turn into a cracking
forward battle with the Saints marching out on top.
Verdict – Tata Steel by 6 points.
Pontypool v Bridgend Athletic
Both Pontypool and Bridgend Athletic will
be buoyed by their opening day victories over Beddau and Blackwood respectively.
As Pontypool’s financial miseries seem to be behind them, there is certain to
be a breath of fresh air over the Pooler as they can finally concentrate on
matters on the pitch. This was apparent in their 41-21 trouncing of Beddau last
weekend as skipper Luke Dychkoff’s and new signing Ben Sparks, a former Bath
Academy prospect, were outstanding throughout the 80 minutes. Things are
looking bright for the red, black and whites.
Verdict – Pontypool by 11 points.
Tondu v Beddau
Newly promoted Tondu also got a dose of
reality to life in the Championship as they went down 22-6 at Tata Steel. Last
season’s Division One West winners will want to get things back on track and
earn their first win in the league against a Beddau outfit who were put to the
sword by Pontypool. With a number of star players leaving the Green and Golds prior
to the start of the season, their new recruits will have to make sure they do
not make the same mistakes as last week against a determined Tondu side.
Verdict – Beddau by 9 points.
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