Students top of the table

There were four tries to earn the Steelmen a bonus point and keep them in contention at the top of the table. Tries from Joe Franchi, Jack Flower, Wes Cunliffe and Sion Jones proved too much for the visitors.
But while the reigning champions have picked up nine points from their opening two matches, they find themselves trailing the unbeaten Cardiff Met and Pontypool.
Hot on the heels of their bonus point win at Llanharan on the opening weekend of the campaign the students from Cyncoed ran in six tries in a 41-5 demolition of Bonymaen that took them to the top of the table.
Back row man James Harris and wing Chris Leversely crossed for first-half tries to give the home side a 10-5 interval lead. Then they went on the rampage in the second half.
Further tries flowed from three-quarters Ben Axton-Burnett (2), Garyn Smith and James Beal. The only response from Bonymaen was a first half try by prop Jordan Collins.
Pontypool’s wonder start to the season continued as they fought to the end to beat Bridgend Athletic 31-24 having trailed 21-10 at the break. First half tries from Dan Howells, Ross Parsons and Dan Belu, all converted by Steve Lewis, had given the visitors a handy lead at the break.
But Pontypool turned on the style in the second half and Jordan Williams crossed for the fourth try to ensure a second successive bonus point. Niall Martin converted all four tries and ended with 11 points from the boot.
Beddau picked up a win on the road at newly promoted Tondu, skipper Glen Slater’s try helping to secure a 17-13 victory, while Llanharan had outside half Codey Rees to thank for their 33-16 win at Blackwood.
Rees kicked 18 points as he converted tries from Nathan Huish, Callum Thomas and Huw Thomas. He also kicked four penalties, while Blackwood had tries from Matthew McGovern and David Ford and two penalties from Dan Butler.
Bev Howells kept his nerve to kick the winning goal with the last kick of the match to steer Newbridge to their first win of their 125th anniversary season, a 23-20 home triumph over Tata Steel. The centre had earlier crossed for one of his side’s three tries.
The home side were 20-10 ahead at the break, but the visitors hit back to level the scores at 20-20. Then Howells stepped up to steal the glory.
RGC 1404 made up for their opening day defeat by Ebbw Vale by hitting back with a 22-18 win at Narberth. While all the home points came through penalty goals, the north Walians conjured up three tries through Adam Williams, Tom Blackwell and Wales Under 20 centre Harri Evans.