Leaders Pontypool were too strong for a game Tondu side and fly half Byron Hayward became the first man to go over 300 points this season as he scored a try, five conversions, a penalty and a
drop goal in a 41-10 victory.
Aberavon introduced Dale McIntosh (Pontypridd) and Paul Clapham (Llanelli) on dual registration in their 27-11 win away to Glamorgan Wanderers. However, they had scrum half and acting captain Danny Hawkins red-carded and his younger brother David yellow-carded. Wing Lee Abdul scored his 22nd club try of the season – just six away from the cub’s post-war record held by Dennis Curling, now a newsagent in Maesteg.
Rumney badly needed a win at Beddau, but did not get it as the home side won 41-22 and scored six tries, two by Steve Cole, while Rumney crossed for four tries.
Bottom club Treorchy did well for 40 minutes at home to Carmarthen Quins, then the visitors brought on Giles Thomas at fly half and ran in seven second-half tries in a 49-0 scoreline.
The best clash was at Church Bank, where Llandovery and Bedwas scored seven tries, but the Drovers edged the try-count by 4-3 and ran out 27-26 winners in a match where Tal Selley, on dual registration from Llanelli, touched own his eighth try for Llandovery.
The first clash this season of Newbridge and Blackwood saw three Newbridge players dismissed in September. They lost that match, but won the return by 25-7 with the immaculate Jason Williams scoring ten points to make it 197 for the season and lead the all-time list on 2,432, ahead of Neil Jenkins (2,300) and Byron Hayward (2,111).
Police officer Andrew McPherson was sent off for Bonymaen at Narberth, yet the 14-men reversed their September result to win 10-8, thanks to a try and penaty by centre James Davies, who is awaiting a police call-up.
Another team to change their fly half at half-time also changed their fortunes as coach David Rees brought on Gethin Worgan for the former Risca and Rumney player Matthew Spencer. It brought Cross Keys a 22-17 win over Tredegar in a tense tussle.
Llanharan are on the crest of a wave with three wins and 154 points as they included Whitland amongst their victims at the Dairy Field. It was a convincing 31-19 win with five tries against one from wing Steve Griffiths, whose brother Dan added the other 14 Whitland points.
Saturday, January 25 will see only one Division One fixture as Treorchy entertain Tredegar in a rearranged game. There will be 13 Division One clubs in action in the Principality Cup Round 6 as they are joined by Caerphilly (Premier), Maesteg (Div 2) and Nantymoel (Div 5 Central) in the eight matches to be played.
