The Newport-Ebbw Vale match nearly didn’t go ahead as the two Gwent sides argued all last week, and Steelmen fans were soon wishing it had been called off.
Fullback Craig Richards scored a superb 70-metre individual try in only the second minute, and impressive fly-half Daniel Griffiths also scored in the opening quarter as the Ebbw Vale defence struggled to ge.
Vale fullback Andrew McCaughlin gave the visiting fans something to cheer about with a well-taken try, but another five-pointer from Richards in the final minute of the first half gave the Rodney Parade team an 18-5 lead at the break.
Further tries to Rhys Thomas and Will Kershaw-Naylor, and a hat-trick try from Richards, sealed the victory for the Black and Ambers, although Ebbw Vale saved their blushes with five-point efforts from Gareth Betts and Michale Scudamore.
Elsewhere, Swansea smashed Cardiff 45-3, with young scrum-half Richie Rees picking up a brace of tries, and top-of-the-table Neath demolished Carmarthen
Quins 31-3. Neath are looking dangerous in the early stages of the Premiership, with backs Gareth John, the promising John Leyshon and Paul Bamsey all getting on the scoresheet yesterday, and lock Ben Davies flying the flag for the pack with a late effort.
Cross Keys sneaked home 26-24 against Bedwas thanks to a 16-point haul from goal-kicker Scott Mitchell, while Llanelli fell to their second consecutive loss with Bridgend taking a 25-16 victory away from Stradey Park thanks to a pair of tries from Dean Fitzgerald.
Aberavon kept their unbeaten run going with a 25-13 win at Llandovery – winger Lenny Woodard scoring his 99th try to close in on becoming only the second Welshman to ever score a ton of League tries.
Caerphilly recovered from a surprise loss last weekend to beat Newbridge 23-14 while Pontypridd beat Pontypool 30-22 in a midweek match.
Further down the divisions, famous Welsh club Abertillery pulled out of their Division Two game against Dinas Powys, bringing the future of the former top-level club – Welsh champions in 1931 – into grave doubt as regional rugby begins to bite.
Penycraig, in the news last month after a drugs scandal, also failed to field a side against Fleur de Lys in the same division, saying they didn’t have enoughfront row forwards to compete.
Results: Caerphilly 23 Newbridge 14, Carmarthen Quins 3 Neath 31, Cross Keys 26 Bedwas 24, Llandovery 13 Aberavon 25, Llanelli 16 Bridgend 25, Newport 38 Ebbw
Vale 22, Swansea 45 Cardiff 3. Wednesday result: Pontypridd 30 Pontypool 22.
