Wattstown hit a half-century in big derby day victory

Swalec League Divisions Four-Seven weekend review

PENYGRAIG felt the full force of a Wattstown team intent on staying at the top of Four South East as the hosts won the Rhondda derby 50-8, scoring eight tries in the process.

Adam Phillips and Chris Evans bagged two and Jack Foulkes and Simon Wincock were also among the scorers. Old Illtydians in second could only beat Cowbridge 10-3 with a Tom Wheeler try and Abercwmboi squeezed home against Barry, winning 20-19 thanks to tries from Scott Cutler and James Webster.

New Tredegar pounced on Cilfynydd’s shock defeat by Cwmbran to close the gap at the summit of Four East. The Rhinos saw off Caldicot 21-5 with two Gavins, Stockman and Ferguson, on the scoresheet.

Stuart Mander and Scott Stephen crossed for Tycroes as the top dogs in Four West defeated a battling Betws 18-3. Llanydybber, with Rhydian Davies picking up two tries, had no problems beating Hendy 38-3 and despite having hooker Rhys Evans sent-off for a tip-tackle, Trimsaran drew 17-17 against Nantgaredig.

Another dominant display saw Penlan cruise home 54-0 at Birchgrove in Four South West with No 8 Robert Di’Iulio getting three of their eight tries. Robbie Thorn, Dan Harris and Jeff Jones got tries for Cefn Cribbwr who beat Briton Ferry 22-18.

The standout performance of the weekend undoubtedly came at Baglan in Five South West where the hosts, and right wing Dean Wood in particular, had a red letter day against Llangadog. They won 101-0, scoring 17 tries and Wood got seven himself. Elliott Jones went over for three too but Wood took all the headlines.

Not far behind Baglan in the scoring stakes was Swansea Uplands who thumped St Davids 95-0 in Five West. Sean Edmund registered a hat-trick and there were 16 tries altogether and 10 different scorers.

Dan Butler had his kicking boots on and his four penalties, along with Spencer Cauley’s try, gave RTB Ebbw Vale a 17-15 win over Brynithel in Five East. Luke O’Brien, Robbie Jones, Luke Egan, Jason Goodridge and Nathan Astley were try scorers for St Joseph’s (Cardiff) in their 34-6 victory at Markham in Five South East while Marc Shepherd’s try, conversion and brace of penalties took Pontrhydyfen to a 13-3 win at Dinas Powys in Five South Central.

One of the biggest personal try hauls was claimed by Tom Williams as his Mynydd y Garreg team walloped Aberavon Naval Club 55-10 in Six West while Alan Sheeva, Nick Davies and Ian Cooper helped Blaenau to a 25-13 defeat of Pantyffynnon.

In Six South East, Llanrumney blasted STAR 95-0 and Ross Evans claimed two tries for Cardiff Saracens as Hartridge were put to the sword in a 35-8 loss. Joe Bradley’s two penalties were enough to give Llandrindod Wells a first win of the season in Six South Central at Tref y Clawdd.

Blaina Utd’s bonus-point success against Forgeside kept them out in front in Six East with Matthew O’Dowd, Carl Brimble, Mike John and Jamie Edmunds all scoring tries. Not to be outdone, Tom Hancock (2), Chris Stokes (2) and Lee Southall were on target for Hollybush as they beat Malpas 33-17.

Finally, Sea View recorded their first ever win as a Welsh League club yesterday, defeating Abersychan 23-12 in Division Seven. A 48-3 away win against Newbridge Utd gave Cathays a bonus point to draw level with Whitchurch at the top. Their match against West Mon was called off and Rhayader overcame Aberbeeg 20-18.

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Swalec League Round Up

Rhiwbina convincingly beat visiting Rhymney at Parc Caedelyn by 43-12 in Two East, scoring five tries in the process.

Pat Murphy scored the Squirrels’ only first half try, while Grant Fitzgerald kicked three penalties as he made the visitors' indiscipline pay to lead 14-0 at the break. Fitzgerald continued his fine form with the boot adding another penalty before Greg Plant crossed for Rhymney, but there then came a delay after Rhymney hooker Sean Murphy had to be helped from the field with a dislocated elbow.

With no more front row replacements, the referee was forced to call passive scrums, although this didn't adversely affect the rhythm of the match and Squirrels skipper Nick Howell scored two tries, the second of which a superb individual effort from inside his own half, while ever-reliable Richard Saltmarsh burst through under the posts, and the scoring was completed by a typical Dan Murphy try.

In the battle at the bottom, two tries from wing Lewis Rigby helped Abercynon to a 29-10 home win over Fleur de Lys. At the other end of the table, Nelson picked up their fifth win with a 43-20 success at Garndiffaith.

Highfliers Llandudno edged out Two North title rivals COBRA 18-17. James Gregson and Ed Weston crossed for Llandudno, with Luke Jones adding two crucial penalties and a conversion.

It seems like defeats for Maesteg Quins come around like buses as the Llynfi Valley side were unbeaten in the league for the best part of three seasons before last week, and suffered their second loss in as many games in Two West as they lost out 25-14 at Aberystwyth.

Aber were awarded a penalty try, while Geraint Rowlands and Paul Bunford touched down for the hosts, as Owain Owen added two conversions and two penalties.

Builth Wells are now the new leaders in the division after former pacemakers Maesteg crashed to a 36-10 loss at Felinfoel, the Bulls capitalising in their 15-7 win over Dunvant at Broadacre, with tries from Dean Jones and Andrew Duggan.

Abertillery BG were far too strong for visiting Gwernyfed in Three East with the hosts notching up a 38-6 victory.

Chris Stevens was the hero of the day for the hosts amassing 15 points through a try and five conversions.

Pontypool United remain top of the table thanks to a 24-11 home triumph over Croesyceiliog. Luke Palmer, Rob Grey and Scott Malson all touching down for United.

Meanwhile, Caerphilly claimed their fifth win seeing off Brynmawr 16-10. The Cheesemen’s only try of the match came through Lloyd Summers while Sam Wollat struck three penalties and a conversion.

Llanelli Wanderers returned to winning ways in Three West at Cardigan with a bonus point 33-6 triumph, while Amman United remain top thanks to their 41-21 home success over Gorseinon, with Jonny Bevan getting three of his side's seven tries.

Tenby were the big winners of the day as they ran in nine tries to ruthlessly dispatch Lampeter 59-0, Smith brothers Toby (2) and Sam were amongst the tries for the hosts.

Pencoed picked up their maiden win in Three South West as they bagged a 31-13 home success over Resolven. The hosts were awarded a penalty try while Glen Hiscocks, Gareth Prentie and Daniel Howells touched down.

Penlan are continuing to run riot in Four South West as the Swansea side brushed aside Cefn Cribbwr 43-7. The Swansea side ran in seven tries with Dafydd Pritchard, Steven Williams and Bobby Scrine amongst the tries.

Early pacemakers New Tredegar continue to rack up the tries in Four East as they put Hafodyrynys to the sword with a 53-27 triumph.

The Newts were in seventh heaven as centre Ricky Hawkins claimed a hat-trick, wing Rhys Walbeof bagged a brace, while Josh Matthews and Gavin Stockman also went over.

It remains nip and tuck at the top of Five South Central with both Glyncoch and Porthcawl grabbing big wins.

The Glyncs easily dispatched Ferndale 60-3 with Anthony John claiming a hat-trick, while Swalec Bowl hero Shaun Baggs crossed for a double. Porthcawl meanwhile helped themselves to nine tries at Blaengarw as they triumphed 59-10, Neil Nutman, Ben Clarke and Dnny Shaw all getting braces for the Seasiders.

Finally in Division Seven, Aberbeeg looked impressive as ever as they saw off Newbridge United 42-17, Gareth Bevan, Gavin Hillier, Anthony Jones, Keiron Gingell, Craig Llewellyn and Adam Puddy all going over for the highfliers.

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Cribbwr's Lewis hits the heights with quartet of tries

Lower Leagues rugby round-up (divisions two-seven)

SEAN Griffiths, Garin Thomas and Jack Perkins scored Abercynon’s tries in their narrow 20-17 win at home to Llanishen in Two East.

Mike Callow’s try and four Phil Thomas penalties put the visitors in with a great chance of snatching victory but with Matthew Turner kicking a conversion and penalty the home side held on.

Garndiffaith are one of three clubs to have won both of their matches this season and they enjoyed a six-try salvo during a 41-25 triumph on home turf against Rhymney.

The Brewers missed out on a bonus point themselves but there was no such problem for Garn with tries coming through Mathew Billings (2), Darren Pierce, Sean Courtney and Owen Howells.

Ryan Matsen crossed twice and Duane Bailey once as Pill Harriers saw off the challenge of Llantrisant 22-10 while there were wins for Fleur de Lys, Senghenydd and Nelson.

The two big rivals in Two West, Maesteg and Maesteg Quins, can’t be separated at the top of the table though it is early days yet.

The Quins won 51-24 at Haverfordwest and Maesteg triumphed 47-28 at Crymych but the high scorers were Dunvant as they smashed Aberystwyth 53-0, scoring nine tries in the process.

The points also flowed in Two North where four tries were scored by both sides as Llanidloes beat Rhyl 35-26 and Denbigh got the better of Shotton 29-22.

Despite not having Shane Williams to call on, Amman United are still enjoying life in Three South West after promotion last season. They built on their opening day win with a comprehensive 34-3 defeat of Cardigan.

One of the performances of the day came from Newcastle Emlyn’s Daniel Davies against Milford Haven. Emlyn won 58-31 with Davies scoring two tries, six conversions and two penalties for a haul of 28 points.

In Three South West, Bryncoch won a thriller against Pencoed with Andrew Spratt and Steve George both crossing twice in a 34-33 victory while in Three South East there was also a brace for Tom Griffin as Dowlais overcame Aberdare 40-29.

Over in Gwent in Three East, Abertillery edged a nervy encounter against Abergavenny with Daniel Haile scoring all their points in an 11-10 success. Elsewhere, Risca’s Tom Clandon and Livan Fairclough touched down as they beat Pontypool Utd 20-17.

The top individual try scorer yesterday was Gareth Lewis of Cefn Cribbwr in his side’s 63-0 hammering of Birchgrove in Four South West. The outside-half touched down four times and slotted five conversions and a penalty for 33 points.

Porthcawl’s Dai James wasn’t too far behind Lewis in the try stakes as he scored three for the seasiders in their Five South Central win against Rhigos. Matthew Owen also scored a couple as the hosts ran out 45-10 victors.

Emyr Lawrence and Huw Rees were among the tries for Ystradgynlais in Five South West as Llangadog were put to the sword 27-8.

Matthew O’Dowd was yet another player to score three tries with his efforts helping Blaina to a 62-3 stuffing of Malpas in Six East while Aberbeeg were big winners in Division Seven.

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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.

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