Jason Strange’s men go west this week as they take on
Narberth at the Lewis Lloyd ground whilst Bargoed will look to get back to winning
ways when they host Tata Steel.
Elsewhere in the league unbeaten Pontypool travel to a
Llanharan outfit coming off the back of an impressive result over Blackwood and
Tondu go in search of their first win of the season away at Bridgend Athletic.
In my opinion, the game of the week comes from North Wales
as Cardiff Met will look to continue their superb early form against RGC 1404
who will be brimming with confidence after their debut victory in the
Championship last weekend.
Bargoed v Tata
Steel
Bargoed may feel a little aggrieved after last weekend’s
performance against Ebbw Vale. After going in at half time ahead against the
current champions, they were blown away in the second half and perhaps should
have shown a little more concentration and discipline. Nevertheless they still
put up a good show despite still being without a few first team regulars. Tata Steel
came up short as they went down by three points away at Newbridge. This will be
another stern test for Leigh Ratti’s men and will look to their physical pack
to try and assert some dominance if they are to get anything out of the game. I
think Bargoed may be smarting after their previous fixture and Tata Steel could
maybe be in for a long afternoon.
Verdict – Bargoed by 15 points.
Beddau v Newbridge
The current Mid-District Cup winners Beddau have had an
indifferent start to the season. After an opening day hammering at the hands of
Pontypool, they were much improved last week as they won 17-13. Their defensive
errors that cost them so dearly against Pooler were eradicated and the side had
a more balanced look to it in the win over Tondu. Their opponents on Saturday,
Newbridge, also bounced back from an opening day defeat by seeing off Tata
Steel 23-20. Consistency will be the key for the Welfare Ground outfit if they
are to make a mark in the Championship this year. With former Bridgend No.8
Matthew Llewellyn skippering the side, I think they will have too much for a
new look Green and Golds side.
Verdict – Newbridge by 11 points.
Bonymaen v
Blackwood
Blackwood were comprehensively beaten by Llanharan at
Glan-Yr-Afon Park in their previous Championship game and are yet to win this
season after losing to Bridgend Athletic in a thriller on the opening day. They
were well beaten in every aspect of the Llanharan game, particularly the scrum
where their pack were destroyed. Bonymaen themselves have suffered two defeats
from two games and heavy ones at that. After conceding 78 points in the matches
against Narberth and Cardiff Met respectively, ‘Bony’ could be in for a long
old season unless fortunes change dramatically on the pitch. Blackwood Director
of Rugby Matthew Back and Head Coach Matthew Veater will also be anxious to get
that all important first win to try and get the ball rolling and I feel they
will get it this Saturday.
Verdict – Blackwood by 16 points.
Bridgend Athletic
v Tondu
Bridgend Athletic welcome Tondu to The Newbridge Fields this
weekend gunning for their second victory in three games. After a dramatic win
against Blackwood, Athletic let slip a comfortable lead against Pontypool as
they went down 31-24. Tondu were vastly improved against Beddau after their own
loss to Pontypool and some felt they could have even got a result against the
Green and Golds. Like Blackwood and Bonymaen, Tondu need that first ‘W’ on the
board to settle any early season nerves. Tondu will likely be buoyed from last
week’s performance but I think Bridgend will run out comfortable winners.
Verdict – Bridgend Athletic by 11 points.
Ebbw Vale v
Narberth
The Steelmen have one objective now for the season –
promotion. After their good news from the WRU last week, Ebbw Vale will be
spurred on knowing that after years of trying, they have a route to the
Premiership. But the Eugene Cross Park outfit will be the first ones to admit
how hard it is going to be. They head to Pembrokeshire on Saturday to take on a
Narberth side who themselves may have an eye on the top half of the table
around May time. The Otters suffered a setback last week when they were soundly
beaten at the Lewis Lloyd Ground by RGC 1404 and had a torrid time of it at the
scrum as they were forced to go passive during the second half. With the
strength in depth Ebbw Jason Strange has at his disposal I think his troops
will dominate their opponents throughout the 80 minutes.
Verdict – Ebbw Vale by 21 points.
Llanharan v
Pontypool
Pontypool are flying after picking up maximum points from
their first two games. They showed great heart in coming back from 21-3 at one
point to Bridgend Athletic last Saturday to eventually win 31-24. With the
likes of Sam Mills, Tom Organ and former club captain Jamie Jeune, on permit
from Newport, coming off the bench they also have an exciting squad developing.
Llanharan will also be on a high after a commanding performance against
Blackwood that was led by their forwards who were on top throughout. Pooler
will be without Captain Luke Dychkoff who has a dead leg and centre Ashley
Norton who is away as part of the Wales sevens set up. But prop Jeune starts
and there is the chance that former star Steve Taylor could come off the bench
for a second debut. With the feeling around Pontypool at the moment I think
they will make it three out of three.
Verdict – Pontypool by 7 points.
RGC 1404 v Cardiff
Met
I think we could be in store for a cracker at Colwyn Bay
tomorrow afternoon. If the conditions are right, there will be two young teams
on show who love to throw the ball around and that could lead to some scintillating
stuff. Cardiff Met have been tremendous so far this season in disposing of
Llanharan and Bonymean scoring 11 tries in the process. The Eirias Park outfit
will no doubt be lifted after their terrific performance in the win over
Narberth last week. Home advantage will always count for something, even more
in North Wales but I think the students will thrive in an environment such as
this and will continue their awesome form.
Verdict – Cardiff Met by 9 points.
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