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Bedwas win again to stay on Pontypool’s tail

Bedwas win again to stay on Pontypool’s tail

Ystalyfera's Owain Morgan off-loads in the match against Pontypool (Pic: Riley Sports Photography)

There were dramatic scenes at The Gnoll as Bedwas snatched a late 16-14 win over Neath in the Specsavers National Championship.

Stefan Sankala’s side looked to be on their way to a first defeat until Jordan Rees’ try at the death, with James Hallett holding his nerve to bang over a touchline conversion to secure the win. Second half tries from Jon Hill and Luke Griffiths, both converted by the latter, had edged Neath ahead.

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Bedwas led 9-0 at the break thanks to a hat-trick of penalties from Dion McIntosh. Then came the home fightback before Rees and Hallett combined to make it four from four for last season’s Premiership outfit.

Bedwas are now two points behind the only other team boasting a 100% record, reigning champions Pontypool, and the two clubs are set to clash at Pontypool Park on 9 November. The champions marched on to a 51st straight league win as they inflicted a 50-8 defeat on Narberth at the Lewis-Lloyd Ground.

Pooler ran in eight tries after home full back Nick Gale had given the Pembrokeshire club a flying start with an early try. But a brace from Ieuan Jones and one for Owain Leonard saw Pooler hit back to lead 21-8 at half-time.

Second half tries followed from Leonard, Meek, Aaron Coundley and Lloyd Lewis, who touched down twice, for the visitors. Meek and Richard Powell each kicked another conversion to take the scoreline to the half-century mark.

Bargoed and Cardiff Met are also still unbeaten after four outings, although they drew when they met last month. While Bargoed were thumping 45-7 home winners over Tata Steel, the students edged out Ystalyfera 20-17 at the Ynysydarren Ground.

Cardiff Met’s tries came courtesy of Corey Lewis, Andrew Nurse and Jack Silvester with Russell Bennett kicking a conversion and penalty.

By contrast, it’s now four defeats from four matches for Cross Keys after they went down 20-14 against Glamorgan Wanderers at Pandy Park. Tries from Josh Male and Jack Beetham, and 10 points from the boot of Paul Short, helped steer the Wanderers to a victory which also saw them avenge their narrow 22-21 defeat to Keys in the first round of the Specsavers National Cup on the same ground last month.

Keys had earlier led 14-13 at the break thanks to a try from full-back Loui O’Brien and three penalties from the boot of outside half Kieran Hill but, in the end, they had to settle for a losing bonus point – their first of the campaign.

It also means Keys’ long wait for a league win goes on. They have now lost 16 on the bounce since they edged Bargoed 18-17 way back on 19 January.

Beddau came from 12-6 down at half time to run out 27-12 winners over Maesteg Quins. Ben Lee, Luke Studley and Morgan Burgess all touched down in the second half, with Hywel Chatham converting all three to add to his two first half penalties.

Trebanos got the better of Ystrad Rhondda 24-16 thanks to tries from Tom Dew (2), and George Spalding. Richard Brunton kicked three conversions and a penalty.

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