Pooler’s perfect seven bonus-point wins in a row have given them a racing start in their quest for a fourth successive title, and the automatic promotion spot, but former Premiership sides Bargoed and Bedwas are ensuring the champions’ might not have things all their own this season.
Bargoed moved to within three points of top of the table Pontypool after their 47-3 win over newly-promoted Ystalyfera made it six wins on the spin. No 8 Adam Powell and wing Steff Thomas both scored twice, while flanker Grant Rogers, outside half Steffan Jones and centre Darren Humphries also crossed ‘Fera’s line.
Jones kicked four conversions and full-back Callum Jones added two more, while Steff Castle scored the only points for the visitors.
“We’re happy where we are at the moment. We’ve managed to pick up bonus points in the last few games which has helped the cause, but we know how difficult a league it is,” said Bargoed director of rugby, Jeremy Rogers.
.“It’s very competitive, every team is trying to take your scalp. Pontypool are picking up bonus points week after week, so we know we’ve got to do the same.
“The pressure is on us to pick up bonus points and that’s difficult to achieve every week because the sides in the league are so competitive. Our first game with Pontypool is on December 14 and we’re obviously looking forward to that, but we’ve got some tough games in between, starting with Narberth at home.
“We want to be in the mix. We know what the challenge is with Pontypool and we know we’ve got to pick up those bonus points along the way.
“The two games against them will be difficult, but so will the other games against the likes of Bedwas as well. We’re not taking anything for granted – we know how much work we’ve got to do.”
Bedwas and Pontypool were both in Cup action last weekend, but the table shows Pontypool top with a maximum 35 points, but Bargoed are now within three of them with six wins and a draw against third placed Cardiff Met. The students have 24 points from their seven games and host Pontypool this weekend.
Bedwas are down in fourth place, but with an unbeaten record of five wins from five. Bargoed face two potentially season defining matches next month when they head to Pontypool Park on the 14th and host Bedwas on the 28th.
Newly promoted Glamorgan Wanderers came from 11-0 down at half time to win 13-11 at Narberth – and go above them into fifth. Wing Dafydd Pritchard’s try along with two penalties from Nick Gale had the Otters in front, but the visitors came back in the second half.
No 8 Rob Weston got their try, which was converted by scrum-half Paul Short, who also kicked two penalties.
Meanwhile, three Tadhg McGuckin penalties saw Maesteg Quins win 9-3 at Trebanos. Richard Brunton kicked the hosts’ three points.
