Their 27-9 defeat of Cardiff Met was impressive even with a man advantage for a large portion of the match after the Students skipper Tom Hall was sent off following a dangerous tackle.
Many believed this would be one of their toughest challenges of the season but the Steelmen came through convincingly.
They take on a Blackwood side this weekend who could be in
for another long afternoon after they were thrashed 56-10 by RGC 1404 in their
previous fixture.
Bargoed v Beddau
The hosts will want to bounce back after being well beaten
by Narberth last weekend. With injuries to key players still disrupting
Bargoed’s early season form, Head Coach Jeremy Rogers will be hoping for an
exodus out of the treatment room and onto the pitch. Beddau were on the end of
a hiding at the hands of Tata Steel in their last game in which they conceded
seven tries and lost 49-10 so will also be desperate to put things right this
weekend. The Green and Gold’s pack will have to match the intensity that will
likely be shown by the home side if they are to come away with anything from
the match.
Verdict – Bargoed by 21 points.
Bonymaen v Tondu
Bonymaen have started their Championship campaign with a
whimper and are winless without a point following their first four games. But
despite this they still managed to take some positives from their loss at
Pontypool last Saturday as they were still in the game for a long period and
managed to score a couple of decent tries. Tondu on the other hand have bounced
back brilliantly from two defeats in their first two games in the division. The
first came away at Bridgend Athletic followed by last weekend’s excellent
result at home to Llanharan. What Bonymaen would give to get one victory under
their belts but I think they will have to wait a bit longer due to the ever
improving Waterwheelers.
Verdict – Tondu by 11 points.
Bridgend Athletic
v Tata Steel
Tata Steel will feel they finally clicked last weekend after
putting Beddau to the sword. They scored seven tries and were dominant in all
aspects of the game. The Saints will likely feel they could have scored a few
more so will no doubt be in the mood to carry on this form when they travel to
The Newbridge Fields. Bridgend Athletic on the other hands have slumped since
their narrow opening day defeat of Blackwood. They have lost their following
three games since that to Pontypool, Tondu and Newbridge respectively. They
will want to nip this mini slump in the bud but Tata and their heavy pack will
trample all over them this weekend.
Verdict – Tata Steel by 16 points.
Ebbw Vale v Blackwood
Blackwood suffered one of their heaviest defeats in recent
memory when they were hammered 56-10 at home to RGC 1404. So what better way to
put things right than travelling to Eugene Cross Park and take on Ebbw Vale! Jason
Strange’s side will go from strength to strength following their bonus-point
win over Cardiff Met last Saturday and will take some stopping in their pursuit
of promotion. Blackwood seem to be in disarray at the moment after only winning
one of their four games thus far. It would take a very brave man to bet against
Ebbw Vale this weekend.
Verdict – Ebbw Vale by over 30 points.
Llanharan v
Newbridge
Both of these sides go into the game with identical records
of two wins and two defeats so far this season so I imagine a fairly even,
close encounter at The Dairy Field. With the Championships top points scorer
pulling the strings at fly-half for Llanharan in the shape of Codey Rees, the
Dairymen will always possess enough quality to break through defences.
Newbridge were comfortable in their 38-20 win over Bridgend Athletic and will
be confident but I think the home side will prevail.
Verdict – Llanharan by 10 points.
Narberth v Cardiff
Met
The students were taught a lesson by Ebbw Vale last weekend.
They could not handle the physicality and brute force shown by the Steelmen and
suffered their first loss of the season as a result. Narberth got back to
winning ways after a heavy defeat at Ebbw Vale with a comprehensive win at home
to Bargoed. This could be a bit of a cracker as both sides feeling as though
they can claim the spoils. Cardiff Met have been scoring tries for fun so far
this season so The Otters will have to be on top of their game in defence and
attack to stop them. Will be very close at the end of the 80 minutes.
Verdict – Cardiff Met by 6 points.
RGC 1404 v
Pontypool
Another game that could prove to be the pick of the weekend.
RGC were ruthless in their eight-try demolition of Blackwood with skipper and
No.8 Kelvin Davies in rampaging form as he helped himself to a hat-trick.
Pontypool have had an impressive start to the season winning all but one and
have assembled a strong looking squad at their disposal. Last weekend’s display
could be the catalyst for a decent run of results for the North Wales based
side and I think the atmosphere at Parc Eirias will see them victorious.
Verdict – RGC 1404 by 5 points.
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