It was a case of New Year, same old story, as Leigh Meades’ side hit back from an early set-back when the home side briefly snatched the lead with a Chris Laing try in the first-half to score five unanswered tries in a 39-7 win.
When centre Darren Humphreys ran in for an interception try in the second half it brought up his side’s 13th bonus point in 14 games and took their points tally to 69 out of a possible 70. There were also two penalty tries in the second half brought about from Bargoed’s strong scrummaging pack.
But the big turning point in the game at a dank and dismal Pontypool Park came just before the break when home scrum half Andrew Quick picked up a yellow card. No sooner had he gone off than No 8 Geraint Edmonds crossed for a try to make it 11-7 to the visitors at half-time and then full back Jordan Purcell broke through to bag a second just after the re-start to make it 12 points while it was 15-14.
Second placed Swansea were forced to come from behind at home against Cardiff Met and had a played sent-off for the second game in a row. This time it was Matthew Davies who received a red card in the first half.
The students stretched their lead to 9-0 with a third penalty with Davies’ dismissal. A try from Joe Thomas, converted by Liam Popham, helped to cut the deficit to 12-7 at the break, but the All Whites turned up the pressure in the second half.
Simon Evans dropped a goal and then Popham converted a second home try to make it 17-12.That broke the student’s resolve and three more tries, from Dai Watts, Jake Cole and Andrew Claypole, bagged the bonus point and a 41-17 victory. Popham ended with 13 points.
Blackwood had a miserable trip to north Wales where they found RGC1404 in irrepressible mood as they ran in 14 tries in an 86-0 demolition of their visitors. Tom Blackwell made an impressive return after injury as he scored four tries and there were two each from another returnee, Richard Hopkins, and Wales Under 20 caps Harri Evans and Afon Bagshaw and Andrew Williams.
Kelvin Davies and Andy Baston completed the try scoring and Rhodri Clayton-Jones and James Laing each kicked four conversions.
Newbridge enjoyed an excellent first half in their match and found themselves 14-3 up at half time. Tondu replied in the second half with a try from their No. 8 Matthew Phillips and some excellent kicking from Matthew Murphy.
Merthyr recovered from their torrid Christmas period in which they lost two matches in a row, to beat Llanharan 24-6. The sides were all level at 6-6 at half time, but the Ironmen produced an impressive second half display to take home the points.
Finally, Tata Steel grabbed their third win in four matches as they saw off Glynneath 46-22, grabbing the bonus point in the process. Glynneath are in ninth place after a second straight loss.
