Bridgend battled bravely and actually took the lead with a Jack Pope try after only six minutes. But then they lost centre Nathan Edwards to a yellow card for a late hit and the Wizards pounced to score two tries as they marched towards a 40-15 victory.
The first went to hooker Luke Davies from a driving line-out and then full back Liam Popham crossed. Skipper James Garland converted the first and went on to add another when Shaun Pearce grabbed the first of his two tries to make it 19-8 to the home side at the break.
The Wizards conjured up the bonus point try 10 minutes into the second half after breaking up a Bridgend attack, turning the ball over and returning it with interest with a second try for Pearce. Joe Scrivens, who had kicked a first half penalty for the Ravens, then converted a try by replacement hooker Iestyn Merriman moments after he had come onto the field to throw into a five metre line-out.
That came after Aberavon had been reduced to 14 men, but the home side finished with a flourish as their pack claimed a penalty try at a scrum and then Steff Williams ran in a 60 metre interception score.
A blistering first-half got the season off to a flying start at The Gnoll, but it was last season’s Tier 2 finalists, Neath, who walked off with the spoils with a five-try triumph as they beat Swansea 39-16.
Owen Howe kicked the visitors into a second minute lead, but Neath hit back almost immediately with a try from former Cardiff Blues and Scarlets centre Richard Smith. Full back Ed Howley added the extras and then replied to a second Howe penalty with one of his own to make it 10-6.
Right wing Mike Evans then skipped away for a second home try, but two minutes later the All Whites bagged their first try through hooker Paul John. Howe’s conversion cut the gap to two points with 25 minutes on the clock.
A third home try, this time from back row man Aled Morris, was once again converted by Howley and that gave the home side a 22-13 interval lead. Howe cut the gap with his third penalty of the night, but there was no stopping Neath on a glorious night at The Gnoll.
Wales Under 20 centre Kieran Williams came off the bench to provide extra punch to the midfield and he crashed over for the bonus point try midway through the second half. Howley’s conversion stretched the lead to 13 points.
Howley took his match tally to 12 points with another penalty as the game moving into its final act. The full back then add a final conversion to his side’s fifth try from replacement back row man Leon Ward.
Phil Davies made a winning return to Llanelli as his young side raced to a 24-8 home win over regional rivals Carmarthen Quins. Wales Under 20 wing Ryan Conbeer crossed for two tries, the opener in the first minute, and Ashley Evans and Kallum Evans guaranteed a bonus point.
Steff Marshall kicked a penalty for the visitors in the first half and Rhodri Clancey got over for a try in the second. Llanelli now face RGC 1404 this weekend, but Davies will miss the trip to his former club because of a World Rugby coaching conference in America.
Llandovery had two penalty tries in their 31-10 home win over RGC 1404 as they picked up a bonus-point victory. Lee Rees and Aaron Warren raced clear for the other tries, although the Drovers lost replacement Mathew Moore to a red card for a head butt.
An Alex Taylor try six minutes into the second half helped RGC to cut the gap to 14 points, but that was as good as it got for them.
