The two teams had drawn 9-9 the last time they met in October and Ystrad’s hopes of holding onto the unbeaten league leaders in the title chase depended on them winning the return fixture. That looked unlikely when they lost No 8 Liam Davies to a first-half red card for using his elbow.
Trailing 8-6 at the break, the visitors then went down to 13 men when Ryan Howells was sin-binned, but the centre returned to atone for his error by scoring the late try to seal the win for his side. Rhys Truelove kicked two penalties in each half before Howells struck the killer blow to match Treorchy’s first-half try.
The win for Ystrad means they are now only 10 points behind the Zebras with a game in hand. They host third placed Rhiwbina this weekend with Treorchy heading to mid-table Llanharan.
Rhydyfelin piled more misery on Nelson as they stetched their lead at the top of Division 1 East with a 31-12 home win over the Unicorns. Nelson had been booted out of the Plate by Penallta in their previous game and now trail the leaders by eight points.
Ross Lucas, Sam Studley and Kevin Briggs all crossed for tries for the home side before Josh Hawkins bagged the bonus-point in the second-half. Rhydyfelin head to 10th placed Blaenavon this weekend, while Nelson host basement side Senghenydd.
Penallta also lost ground on the leaders as they were pipped 21-20 at Brynmawr. They are now 11 points behind Nelson and 19 behind Rhydyfelin with two games in hand and a trip to Nelson still to come.
In the North, Caernarfon put the cat among the pigeons as they beat leaders Nant Conwy 16-15 to inflict only the second defeat of the season on the Plate semi-finalists. Dom Yau kicked Caernarfon ahead with his first penalty 10 minutes into the game, but Nant were level by the end of the first quarter thanks to a penalty of their own from Delwyn Jones.
Nant then hit the front three minutes before the break when Carwyn Ellis crossed close to the posts and Jones added the simple conversion to make it 10-3 at the break. Some great combined work between home wings Carwyn Roberts and Dylan Gwyn saw the latter charge over for a great try and Yau levelled the scores for the home side with his conversion.
au then gave the Cofis the lead on 52 minutes with a crucial penalty. Mike Downey was then denied a try after getting up to and seemingly over the line, but a second try from the wily Ellis put the league leaders back in front 15-13 with five minutes to play.
With time running out, the home forwards locked Nant in their 22 and pressurised a penalty that Yau kicked to complete a significant victory. Second placed Pwllheli picked up a bonus point in their 33-3 win over Bro Ffestiniog 33-3 to close the gap to three points at the top with a game in hand.
Caernarfon head to COBRA this weekend, while reigning champions Pwllheli are also on the road at Ruthin. Nant host Bethesda in what is now a must win game for them if they want to stay on top.
There were shocks in the Division 1 West as leaders Kidwelly were beaten 20-17 at home by fourth placed Gorsenion and third place Aberystwyth were beaten 11-8 at home by Llangennech. It means Kidwelly’s cushion at the top of the table has been reduced to seven points with second placed Llanelli Wanderers having a game in hand.
And the Wanderers will host Kidwelly this weekend in a season defining fixture for both clubs. The home side will also be seeking a double having won 19-18 at Kidwelly in October.
At the other end of the table the fight for survival intensified last weekend when Gowerton beat Loughor 51-17 to climb above them out of the relegation zone. Bottom of the table Whitland also won 23-15 at Penclawdd to move level on points with Loughor and to within two of Gowerton.
Whitland host Aberystwtyth second placed this weekend, while Loughor are also at home against Crymych and Gowerton head to Llangennech.
In Division 1 West Central, Bonymaen took full advantage of leaders Aberavon Quins’ 15-15 draw at home to Seven Sisters to move level on points at the top with a 20-6 home win over Cwmllynfell that contained tries from Sam Jones and Nick Clancy. Fourth placed Trebanos also drew, 12-12, at Maesteg Quins.
