Since losing their opening game of the season at Llanelli, the Steelmen have begun to look more like the side that won the Principality Premiership title for the first time last season and have crept into the top eight with a game on hand on the teams above them.
They hit the road with successive away games at Neath and Merthyr over the next two weekends, but by then head coach Nigel Davies will be hoping to see his side climbing even higher as they get their game going in a bid to reach the second phase of the competition in order to successfully defend their title.
Tries from Rory Pitman, Josh Lewis, Jared Rosser and Dawid Robansniak were the difference as the home side pulled away following a tight first-half. The visitors struggled for discipline in the opening period with full back Marc Bennett-Jones sin-binned for a high tackle on Chris Leversley.
But despite their man advantage, all the home side had to show for their first-half efforts were two penalties from the boot of Lewis to give them a 6-0 lead at the interval. Bridgend’s ill-discipline continued after the break when Nicky Boyce and Jamie Lee Murphy were both sent to the bin just minutes apart for infringements near their own goal line.
Up against 13 men, Ebbw Vale crossed for the first time as No 8 Pitman scored against his old side following a strong shove from the scrum. Lewis added the conversion before scoring a converted try of his own minutes later following patient build-up play from the home side.
Rosser went over in the corner for their third try of the afternoon following some strong running by the backs. The bonus point followed shortly after when Rubasniak pushed his way over the line from a maul.
Mark Jones’ unbeaten RGC1404 side may not be top of the table yet, but they could overtake fellow unbeaten side Aberavon when they clash in the match of the day this weekend at Parc Eirias. The final two teams boasting 100% records after four rounds of matches will go head-to-head on Saturday and the Gogs will be feeling pretty pleased with themselves after soaking up so much pressure at Carmarthen and still emerging with their third win of the season in the south.
A superb touchline break by Tiaan Loots set-up Tom Hughes for the opening try of the game and Jacob Botica converted to give the visitors a flying start. Quins applied the pressure and Will Bryan was forced to bring off a try saving tackle.
But Hadyn Pugh’s Quins pack made the most of two five metre scrums and worked tight head prop Javan Sebastian over for an equalising try that Wales Under 20 outside half Dan Jones improved to level the scores after 15 minutes.
The home forwards then put a stranglehold on possession and it took a smart break from scrum half Alex Schwarz to releave the pressure. RGC then won a line-out in Quins territory and Botica spotted a gap and went over to score a try which he also converted.
A second close-quarter try from hooker Torin Myhill cut the gap to 14-12 on the half-hour and that’s how it stayed to half-time. The only points in the second half came from a Botica penalty that completed the victory for the new boys from north Wales
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Steffan Andrews scored twice in a 45-25 win to save Premiership leaders Aberavon from a shock home defeat to Bargoed. Two tries by fellow wing Morgan Williams looked to have set the Wizards on course for a comfortable, if scrappy, win at the Talbot Athletic Ground.
The hosts had a bonus-point tucked safely under their belt by half-time as lock James Ratti and centre Will Price also crossed to cancel out tries by Bargoed backs Ashley Norton and Lewis Hudd. But the second half threatened to produce a remarkable turnaround.
A yellow card for Aberavon flanker Luke Joseph, a try by prop Jack Williams and the boot of Callum Jones saw Bargoed claw their way back to within a point at 26-25 mid-way through the half. However, Aberavon showed just why they are one of only two unbeaten sides in the Premiership, having taken 19 of a possible 20 points on offer, with a late rally when it mattered most. Andrews scored twice, either side of a sore by Joseph Thomas, to seal the win and secure top spot.
Newport finally tasted that winning feeling as they triumphed 17-13 against Llanelli at Parc y Scarlets. Having opened their campaign with a stunning home win over reigning champions Ebbw Vale, Llanelli have now lost their last three games.
Former Dragons scrum half Jonathan Evans grabbed the first points of the game with an opportunist try and the home side led 8-5 at the break after Dion Evans added a penalty and hooker Henry Palmer crossed for the first of Newport’s three tries.
Nathan Hart increased the home advantage on the hour with a second try, but Newport hit back with a try from replacement scrum half Owen Davies that Arwel Robson improved to make it 13-12 with 10 minutes left to play.
The introduction of new half-back sand new props in the second half made a huge difference for Newport and they eventually went on to bag the winning try.
Lock Adam Brown drove over from close range to steal the limelight, although there were some tense moments for the visiting fans in a near 10 minute period of injury time.
There was a fiery encounter at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park where a fluent Llandovery side emerged victorious by 28-23 in a see-saw battle against Cardiff.
First blood went to the home side when Wales Under 20 full-back Rhun Williams touched down in the corner after wing Olly Smyth had punched a hole in the visitors defence. Llandovery hit back with a try from a rolling maul some 10 minutes later, flanker Shaun Miles the beneficiary.
Just before the interval the Drovers extended their lead with wing Aaron Warren capitalising on some loose Cardiff handling to race over from distance. Cardiff reduced the deficit after half-time with Ceri Young’s interception leading to a try for Smyth in the opposite corner.
Llandovery prop Greg Cunniffe was yellow carded for backchat and a touchline scrap minutes later saw Cardiff scrum-half Lewis Jones and hooker Joe Tomlinson, along with Llandovery No 8 Richard Brooks, join him in the bin.
Drovers’ substitute hooker Berian Watkins trundled over for a try at the posts after a sublime offload from Jack Maynard, centre Luke Ford then hitting back for the home side. Watkins was sin-binned in the last minute, but Cardiff were unable to take advantage.
New boys Merthyr got back to winning ways with a pulsating 39-21 bonus-point win at rivals Pontypridd on their new 4G surface at Sardis Road. Matthew Jarvis kicked 14 points for the Ironmen with former Ponty players James Howe and Ed Siggery scoring a try each. The new artificial pitch was christened by a blistering start from both sides.
An interception from full-back Jarvis almost led to the games’ first try, but Rhys Downes was put into touch by an out-stretched arm from lock Chris Dicomidis. Merthyr soon made the breakthrough as a clever tap and go penalty from Gareth Davies saw him score the opening points.
And things soon got better for Merthyr as they doubled their lead through a bulldozing run from front row man Howe. Former Wales outside half Ceri Sweeney then brought Ponty back into the equation with a try at the posts before Alex Webber regathered his own chip and chase before putting the No 10 over for a second.
Jarvis edged Merthyr ahead with two penalties while Sweeney skewed one wide with the last kick of the half. After the break Tom Daley and Webber exchanged tries keeping the game tight and on a knife-edge.
It remained that way for the majority of the period until Siggery brushed off a number of tackles to score for the visitors’ bonus point before wing Terri Gee scored to seal the victory for Merthyr.
