SWALEC Division One East
Ebbw Vale turned on the style to stretch their lead at the top of Swalec Division One East with a 35-0 win over Treorchy.
After a ragged first half, which saw the Steelmen take an 8-0 lead into the break thanks to a try from prop Ross Jones and a penalty from Dorian Jones, Ebbw produced a clinical second-half display to earn the win in front of an expectant Eugene Cross Park crowd.
Despite keeping it tight in the first half, the Zebras succumbed and conceded a further four tries after the interval, as Ebbw secured their 11th bonus-point triumph of a campaign in which they have now racked up 500 points.
The hosts’ second-half scores came through wing Wes Cunliffe, back rowers Ronny Kynes and Nicky Coughlin as well as replacement halfback Gareth James.
Ebbw do have to continue to look over their shoulders, though, with Bargoed keeping their title hopes very much alive after a 19-11 away win over the Glamorgan Wanderers.
Tied at 11-11 at the break following a try apiece from opposing wingers Owen Marshall for the hosts and Lee Pearson for the visitors, Bargoed secured the victory in the second period through a second touchdown, this time from number 8 Lewis Wayman.
Mountain Ash took advantage of the Wanderers’ defeat to leapfrog them into 10th place with a bonus-point 33-3 win over Tredegar at Parc Duffryn Pennar.
Tries came from backs Dale Keepins, Ross Keepins and Marcus Clyne as well as prop James Cowdry, while outside half Josh Lewis added 13 points with the boot to leave the visitors rooted to the foot of the table.
A close encounter at Mount Pleasant Park saw Beddau triumph over visitors Gilfach Goch 17-11, who slip a place to 4th as a result.
Gilfach led 8-3 at halftime and retained that advantage for much of the second period. But Beddau were grateful for their superior fitness level, which was reflected on the scoreboard via a try for wing Garan Pearce and a succession of penalties from outside half Joe Griffin.
Meanwhile, Neil Burnett was the hero for Newbridge as the Welfare Ground outfit eased to a 23-10 at Riverside Park over hosts Rumney. Outside half Burnett notched up a try, two conversions and three penalties, while halfback partner Tom Edwards completed the scoring for the visitors, who climb into third place.
Elsewhere, tries from flankers David Ford and Greg Baker and wingers Rhodri Usher and Kristian Perry helped Blackwood wear down hosts Merthyr to secure a bonus point in a 25-6 victory.
SWALEC Division One West
Dickie Bird scored 23 points and winger Jason Leveridge a hat-trick as TATA Steel easily triumphed 43-17 away at Llangennech. Fly-half Bird added a try himself as well as three conversions, three penalties and a drop goal in a brilliant all round performance. Wing Mikey Davies scored twice for the home side but they were comfortably beaten.
Despite TATA’s win it was Narbeth who went top of the table with a 25-17 win over Carmarthen Athletic at Athletic Park. Scrum-half Adrian Killa scored twice and lock Chris James all crossed the white wash but the visitors just missed out on a bonus point. It was Carmarthen who led 10-6 going into the interval through Lewis Chance’s try but Narbeth fought back superbly. Mike Sauro’s boot kept Carmarthen in the hunt but they fell just short.
Whitland kept up the pressure on the top two with a 16-10 win at home to Llanharan. The home side used the wind to their advantage in the first-half and went into the interval 13-3 ahead courtesy of Fraser Watson’s try. Llanharan fought back after the interval and flanker Scott Malone went over for the visitors but they had to settle for a losing bonus point.
Elsewhere, two sides towards the bottom of the table had a day to remember. Bottom club Bonymaen recorded a 20-15 win over Waunarlwydd, tries from Richard Cunniffe and Dan Cooper doing the damage in a game well refereed by young official Craig Evans.
Each time scored two tries as Tondu narrowly overcame Ammanford 21-18 at the Recreation Ground. It was fly-half and Captain Paul Smithson’s penalty from the halfway line in the last five minutes that sealed the win after the game looked destined to end in a draw.
At Newbridge Fields, Bridgend Athletic and UWIC battled out a low scoring 3-3 draw. Tom Cole’s penalty for the home side was cancelled out by UWIC’s Rhys Roberts.
