Treharris Phoenix hoping to rise to promotion challenge

Treharris Phoenix are currently flying high in Five South Central and inflicted league leaders Cambrian Welfare’s only second defeat of the season at the weekend.

Treharris produced a gritty display to edge out Cambrian 10-8 at home with Lee Munk touching down while Jamie Evans added the extras and a penalty.

Club Secretary Karl Edwards believes that if they can continue to produce the goods, Phoenix could be in line to bag back to back promotions.

“We are very happy with our season, we had a good win Saturday and the players and coaches really believe they have it in them to challenge for promotion.”

Phoenix have had a change at the helm in the off season and Edwards thinks their fresh impetus has helped the side adjust to life in a higher division.

“Stephen Parry and Wayne Ford have taken over coaching duties and are doing a great job. We’ve had one or two lads return to the squad but essentially it is the same group that took us up last year.”

Edwards admits Treharris have a number of big matches coming up and hopes a couple of wins could put them in the driving seat for promotion.

“We have two tough away matches coming up in the league, travelling to Cefn Coed and Treherbert. We are the only side to have beaten Treherbert this season, and we follow that up with a local derby against Ynysowen. If we can notch up wins in those matches it will be huge for the confidence and belief in the side.”

 Next up Treharris take on Cefn Coed under the lights on Friday 7 February. 

Read More

Tuesday rugby round-up

Llandovery set up a scintillating final day of the Premiership season as their 41-3 beating of Aberavon guaranteed a nail-biting 80 minutes for all sides still in with a shot at the play-offs.

They moved in to second spot, above Bedwas and Llanelli, with just two points separating the three sides. On Saturday they travel to Bedwas for a tantalising play-off showdown, with both sides knowing a win could see them home. Llanelli will be hoping that Llandovery overcome their hosts, or a draw is etched out, as that would see them take their play-off place no matter what happens in their fixture at Pontypridd.

With all the possible bonus point permutations, the real winner, of course, is the neutral.

It took the hosts just eight minutes to cross the whitewash through James Garland, before Shaun Miles, Jack Roberts, Adam Warren, Lee Rees and Chris Knight all followed suit. Garland converted three of them and added a drop goal for a personal tally of 14 points, with Roberts converting another.

Aberavon’s sole points came from a Craig Evans penalty just after the restart.

Elsewhere, Cardiff ended bottom side’s Swansea’s terrible season on another sour note with a 33-8 victory at St Helen’s.

Dan Fish flopped over for a brace of tries, with Garyn Lucas and Dan Partridge adding two more. James Thomas kicked the rest of the points. Swansea replied through an Aled Jenkins score and a Luke Price penalty.

In One West, Carmarthen Athletic wracked up a half century of points in an eight-try, 52-13 victory at Waunarlwydd.

Centre Viv Jenkins top-scored with two of those, with full-back Rhys Schiavone, Scott Maynard, hooker Gethin Robinson, centre Mike Sauro, Richard Broomfield and Aled Jones also going over. Maynard converted six of them.

The hosts earned a penalty try with the last play of the game, as a covering defender won the race to a kick over the top and hit the ball over the dead ball line.

There is an equally exciting race for the title in Three North as there is for the Premiership play-offs. Newtown in third triumphed 57-7 at home to Flint last night to leave them on 63 points, the same as second-placed Wrexham and just one behind leaders Rhos.

Flying wing Junior Dean put the final touches to two tries, with fly half Rowan Swanson scoring another and a very productive day for the pack resulting in five points each for No8 Nick Jones, flanker Craig Lewis, hooker Will Richards, pop Ashley Padget and second row John Harbour. Jack Bennett picked the remaining 17 points.

Rhos do have a game in hand on the other two as well as that extra point, and they play it tonight away at lowly Porthmadog.

Cilfynydd gave themselves a huge boost in the Four East title race by edging the battle of the top two 20-19 at Ynysddu, coming from 16-0 down with 20 minutes to go to sensationally nick it.

Greg and Dafydd Davies were the main instigators of the comeback with two tries, one of which was converted by Delme King and the other by Mark Burton, who also kicked two penalties in the remarkable win.

Jeremy Roberts looked to have almost single-handedly won the game for the hosts with their only try, converted, plus three penalties, while Craig Davies chipped in with a drop goal before the comeback.

The result leaves Cilfynydd seven points clear on 79, and with two games in hand, while Oakdale in third, just a point behind Ynysddu, also have a game in hand to play over them.

Llanybydder missed the chance to go top of Four West, crashing 28-14 at third-placed Fishguard. Rhodri Thomas, Ed Bendle, Mark George and Gavin Walsh all crossed for the hosts, with James Griffiths converting them to put a real dent in the visitors’ title bid.

Four South West leaders Penlan put 84 points past bottom club Birchgrove to celebrate the promotion they achieved by beating Bridgend Sports in their last outing.

They won 84-5, running in 14 tries, to put one hand on the title ahead of Glyncorrwg, providing there is no end-of-season collapse.

Wing Dafydd Pritchard and flanker Adam Glover both ran in hat-tricks, with centre Nathanial Llewellyn and scrum half Dominic Cambriani both adding braces. Full back Luke Davies, outside centre Lee Banfield, and the two second rows Kurt Velardo and Luke Mooney crossed for single scores, with outside half Steven Williams converting three of them, and his replacement Scott Davies converting another four.

Nantyglo moved eight points clear of Caerleon in Five East with a 17-7 win at Crumlin, while St Josephs are now 14 points clear in Five South East thanks to a 24-19 win at home over Caerau Ely.

Finally, Cwmgors climbed to the top of Five South West by beating Glais 29-0. Mike Hodges, James Varney, Steff Rees and Owen Davies tries secured the bonus point they required to climb above Cwmtwrch with a game in hand. Both clubs are on 80 points.

Read More

Ponty seal top spot with win over old rivals

Pontypridd saw off Cardiff at the Arms Park to secure top spot in the Principality Premiership and guarantee a spot in the end of season play-off final.

Their five try, bonus point victory moved them 24 points clear of nearest rivals Bedwas, who have just four games remaining and not enough points available to claw the gap back.

Their play-off opponents are likely to be either Bedwas themselves or Llanelli, with Cross Keys and Llandovery still just in the hunt but also finding games and points available running out to achieve their goals.

Cardiff were hit by a serious of injuries, particularly in the first-half, with their physio arguably the busiest man of the night. Their try scorer Cory Allen, for example, was hurt while crossing the whitewash and had to leave the field.

For the first 15 minutes things were pretty tight, but from the moment prop Scott Roberts touched down for a try, which Simon Humberstone converted, the writing was on the wall and the travelling Ponty faithful could start the party.

Full-back Adam Thomas bagged a try after 25 minutes and with Humberstone converting Ponty led 14-7 at the break.

Thomas completed his brace soon after the restart and then the floodgates opened with centre Gary Williams and wing Owen Jenkins crossing for tries, both converted by Dai Flanagan who had come on for Humberstone.

The match was done, and it was just a matter of counting down the clock and seeing out the victory in a professional manner.

Ponty assistant coach Paul John had every reason to smile after his side's emphatic triumph - their 18th in 19 league games - but he was not getting carried away just yet as Ponty still have plenty to play for.

“We are chuffed to bits with the win, as the aim was to keep things ticking,” he said afterwards. “There is a massive game at the weekend in the Cup and we have loads of respect for Carmarthen Quins so we have to keep focussed.

“This is just one job done and now it is on with the next one. To score 35 points and five converted tries at the Arms Park is a fantastic achievement.

“We have good competition for places and the team is in good shape, and the support was magnificent tonight as always.”

This convincing victory will put Ponty in good heart for their Cup semi-final against the Quins at Aberavon on Saturday, and the league and Cup double is looking very much on the cards.

There were also some games played in the Swalec Leagues, with Rhosllanerchrugog moving to the top of Three North after scoring five tries of their own in in 29-12 bonus point victory over Flint. That bonus point could be vital, as they move a point ahead of Wrexham and Newtown in the table having played a game less.

In Four East, Cilfynydd extended their lead at the top to eight points with a 36-10 victory over Hafodyrynys. They also still hold a game in hand over closest rivals Ynysddu.

Penlan climbed to the top of Four South West with a 26-8 beating of Pontardawe, their 14^th victory in 15 league games this season. They now sit a point ahead of Glyncorrwg having played a game less, and four ahead of Bryncethin while holding three games in hand.

Finally, Abertysswg switched their game with Markham in Five South East to their Maes McLaren home after the visitors had double booked their pitch. They won 50-13, scoring eight tries, to move to within three points of St Josephs at the top with a game in hand still to play.

Read More

Final day win gives Monmouth title

THEY left it late, but Monmouth clinched the Five East crown from under the noses of Hafodyrynys on the final day of the season.

All they needed was a win at home to Pontllanfraith and they got it with something to spare, easing to a 37-3 victory.

Matt Tadd, Ed McCord, Gareth Morgan and Gary Lane scored the tries as Monmouth made up the three-point deficit on challengers Hafodyrynys.

RTB Ebbw Vale made fifth place their own following as a Rhys Sweet hat-trick helped see off Bettws 49-22.

The hosts crossed the try-line nine times with Jamie Hill on target twice and Jonathan Dix, Ron Ashman, Ian Price and Nathan Manning also touching down.

CRC Caerdydd made the gap between third and fourth in Five South East even more emphatic as they ran in five tries against Treherbert.

The 32-5 triumph increased the points difference to 23 as the capital side finished just behind second-placed Cilfynydd.

Scott Conway, Rhydian Garner, Owain Tudor, Elgan Jones and Hywel Jones underlined the home side’s claim as the division’s third best club.

Garner also dropped a goal and Oliver Jenkins kicked two conversion while all Treherbert could muster was a try.

A 17-13 win saw Porthcawl over Rhigos saw the former end the season in the top half of Five South Central. Ollie Jones and Nick Nutman provided their tries, Tim Richards converted both and Gareth Lloyd slotted a penalty.

Rhigos fought well and were in the game up until the end thanks to Luke Williams and John Smith scores.

While in Five South West, champions Penlan hit the 100-point mark courtesy of a 34-6 victory over Llandybie at home.

Brothers Ian and Bobby Scrine found their way to the try-line as did No 8 Robert Di’Lulio, who went over twice. Robert Green and Lee Banfield were the others to cross.

In Six Central, champions Glyncoch reached the 100-point milestone as Cefn Fforest were put to the sword 48-21. The Swalec Bowl winners scored six tries, two coming through Huw Burgess.

Cambrian Welfare crushed CIACS 79-0, scoring 13 tries in all, four of them courtesy of brothers Ian and Zac James, while Wick beat Aberbargoed 35-24.

Treharris made sure of top spot in Division Seven A with a 31-12 success at Blaina Utd.

Two Ricky Alsop tries and further scores for Mark Roberts, Scott Giles and Gareth Ingram gave the Merthyr valley club first place over Sully Sports.

Read More

Tense title race enters home straight

THE race for top spot in Division Five West will go down to the wire after leaders Fishguard and Nantgaredig in second both recorded huge wins on Saturday.

Fishguard head their rivals by four points meaning they only need to avoid defeat at St Clears next weekend to finish first.

They battered poor Llangwm 92-3 with 15 tries firmly underlining their intent to hold onto the lead. James Griffiths and Mike Jenkins crossed for hat-tricks, Gavin Walsh scored two tries and Richard Hunter, Dai Evans, Simon James, Gwilyn Evans, Mark George and Rhys Morgan also touched down.

Meanwhile, Nantgaredig were also in imperious form at home against Penygroes, with Huw Harris bagging three tries in a 52-0 hiding.

Mike O’Leary (2), Clinton Morgan (2), Cled Richards, Brian Edmunds and Barry Thomas put their names on the scoresheet and Nant must now beat Pembroke Dock Quins and hope St Clears can do them a big favour.

On a day of high scores, the Quins racked up 64 points as they dished out a trouncing to Pontyates who couldn’t manage any.

There were braces for Rhys Scourfield, Adam Gawley and Paul Jonkers as the visitors were well and truly put to the sword.

Three clubs remain in with a shout of winning Five South East and all of them won at the weekend. Old Illtydians are still at the top, three points ahead of CRC Caerdydd and Cilfynydd.

CRC Caerdydd smashed St Joseph’s 53-19 at home with Sion Horan completing a hat-trick of tries and Dafydd Shermer getting two.

The leaders won handsomely against Deri, 57-7, and Cilfynydd beat Dinas Powys 29-22.

Hafodyrynys won a high-scoring clash against Newport Saracens 35-30 to move onto 106 league points but second-placed Monmouth have plenty of games in hand to claw back the deficit.

In Five South West, Penlan came out on top in the clash between first and second as they breezed past Tycroes 29-0 and just for good measure, Bryncethin, champions of Five South Central, won 23-10 at second-placed Cefn Cribbwr.

Read More

Cilfynydd draw level with leaders

The last Swalec league rugby action of 2011 was badly affected by the wet weather with fixtures in both Division Five East and Five South East falling foul of waterlogged pitches.

Highflying Cilfynydd, took full advantage of Five South East leaders Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd’s match postponement as they convincingly defeated Deri 34-5 to move level on points with the pacemakers.

Cil made light work of the wet and windy conditions as they helped themselves to six tries, with prop Andrew Hedford bulldozing his way to a hat trick, while back row Aaron Atkin, full back Kevin James and centre Connor Gaye also touched down. Scrum half Dalme King slotted two penalties.

Deri on the other hand are still looking for their first win, as they prop up the table heading into the New Year.

Abertysswg returned to winning ways as they swooped up to third with a comfortable try bonus 31-3 home triumph over struggling Old Penarthians.

The Falcons ran in four tries courtesy of second row Stephen Jones, fly half Jamie Howells, full back Steve Klein and centre Michael Worgan. Howells also produced a fine display with the boot to slot home all four conversions and a penalty.

Elsewhere, St Albans picked up a much needed 27-16 win over fellow strugglers Dinas Powys.

In the only match to make it to the pitch in Five East, Blackwood Stars notched up their fifth win of their campaign with a hard fought 22-13 home success over Newport Saracens.

The hosts outscored their rivals three tries to one in horrendous conditions at Glan Yr Afon.

Wing Lee Cobley darted over for his side's first before second row Chris Brown and scrum half Mark Birkby went over. Centre Martin Rush added two conversions and also fired home a penalty.

The victory sees Stars jump four places to move into the top half of the table.

Read More