A brace of tries from Alex Humphrey and scores from Evan Yardley and Afon Bagshaw secured RGC’s most notable victory in their three-year existence. Alex Humphrey and Dafydd Hopkins crossed for the hosts before they were awarded a late penalty try, but Rupert Moon’s side held on to beat the six-time champions and book a place in tomorrow’s second-round draw.
Holders Pontypridd got off to a flying start in defence of the Cup with a 41-13 triumph over the plucky Championship leaders Bargoed. A Geraint Edmunds had helped Bargoed to a 13-8 lead at half-time, but they could not hold out at Sardis Road. Geraint Walsh crossed either side of half-time before no.8 Dan Godfrey got on the scoresheet. There was time for left-wing Dale Stuckey to claim a hat-trick of tries in the final ten minutes as the champions took advantage of their superior fitness.
Last season’s beaten finalists Cross Keys moved one step closer to redemption with a 52-24 victory at Llanelli. Keys benefitted from a number of Llanelli errors, as they ran away with the game in the second period, to finish with a total of nine touchdowns.
Cardiff Met cruised into the second round of the Swalec Cup thanks to a comfortable victory over Championship strugglers Tondu at Pandy Park. The students overcame the Waterwheelers with flanker Jake Smith, Luke O’Brien, Alex Harrison and wingers Pierre Tucker and Chris Leversley crossing for tries.
Llandovery outclassed Narbeth on their way into the second round with a 12-try, 82-11 victory. Richard Williams scored a hat-trick and eight others helped themselves to scores in West Wales.
Merthyr snuck into the second round with a tight 24-23 triumph at home to Glynneath. The plate holders march on in the cup thanks to a hat-trick of tries from Aaron Howard and a solo Ryan Harries score. But they were made to sweat by Glynneath, who scored a late converted try from Jonathan Griffiths.
Llanharan clinched a spot in the second round of the Swalec Cup as they put 14-man Blackwood to the sword in an eight try drubbing at Glan-yr-Afon. The Championship’s bottom side shocked their rivals with eight tries after Blackwood second-row Mike Reece saw red in the fifth minute.
Newport edged past Aberavon 11-10 in Sunday’s cup clash at Rodney Parade. The Black and Ambers trailed 10-8 at the break but Geraint O’Driscoll held his nerve to seal the victory with a late penalty.
