The students ran out 30-17 victors’ over Pooler, who simply needed a victory to secure the Championship crown. Leighton Jones’ men will now have to wait until they take on Glamorgan Wanderers this weekend to claim the title.
The students came into the game against the runaway leaders on the back of only two wins in their last 10 games in all competitions and fighting for survival at the bottom end of the table. Luke Northmore was the pick of the bunch for Cardiff Met, crossing twice, No 8 Aled Evans got another try and full back Tyler Williams chipped in with 13 points from the boot.
While Pooler remain 12 points clear at the top, Dunvant’s 73-17 defeat at Narberth means they are relegated. Now the fight is on to see who will join them in the drop with only nine points covering seven clubs.
Dunvant’s fate was sealed by a remarkable performance from home centre Jack Price, who ran in six tries. The visitors took the lead with tries from Mark Robbins and Sam Evans, but were then buried under an avalanche of points that included two tries from Dewi Williams and others from Liam and Joe Hutchings and Gethin Gibby.
Skewen were hauled back into the relegation battle as they fell three places as they were beaten 29-13 at Newbridge. The home side made it three wins in a row to give them a fighting chance of beating the drop as they moved to within three points of Cardiff Met in 10th with a game in hand.
Newcastle Emlyn secured a first-half bonus-point as they beat Bedlinog in a mid-table clash. Dan Davies dotted down twice for the hosts with Alex Williams and Llyr Davies scoring tries before the break. The Foxes offered brief resistance, but Brynmor Jones ensured the hosts secured victory.
Beddau and Tata Steel both lost ground to Narberth at the top end of the table following defeats against Glynneath and Glamorgan Wanderers respectively. Beddau had led 18-7 at half-time thanks to tries from Jay Harris and Marcus Jones, but the visitors clawed their way back with Leon Ward scoring eight minutes from time to snatch the win.
The Wanderers were reduced to 14 men when centre Darren Ryan picked up a red card in the second-half for a spear tackle, but still hung on to win 29-21 against Tata. A strong first-half effort proved decisive with outside half Luke Fish and lock Tom Penri Evans scoring tries – Fish added the remaining points from the tee.
This weekend’s fixtures could prove vital at both ends of the table fourth place Tata Steel hosting second placed Narberth and third placed Beddau travelling to relegated Dunvant. Cardiff Met will overtake Bedlinog and nearer to safety if they can win at the home of the Foxes, while Skewen could climb again if they beat Newcastle Emlyn at home.
