Rejuvenated Ystrad Rhondda hauled themselves out of the bottom four in the Specsavers National Championship after a memorable 20-13 triumph over Neath at Gelligaled Park.
David Griggs’ first half try and eight points from the tee courtesy of Callum Hall gave the visitors an interval lead on their first visit to Ystrad Rhondda since 1989/90. Rhys Truelove kicked a first half penalty for the hosts and then converted Sion Summers’ try to pull them back to within three points. Truelove would prove to be the difference with a try he converted himself – before then landing another penalty for good measure.
Meanwhile, it’s as you were at the top of the table with the leading four sides all recording bonus point wins.
Champions Pontypool ran in 11 tries – all of which were converted – as they crushed Ystalyfera 77-8. They also did so with only 14 men following flanker Michael Herbert’s red card midway through the first half.
Pat Lewis, Marcus Jones, twice, and Adam Stratton all dotted down in the first half. Four Kieran Meek conversions handed Pooler a 28-3 interval advantage. Then in the second half scrum-half Aaron Quick – on his 150th Pontypool appearance – went over, as did Lewis Ball, Scott Matthews and Darren Hughes while Lewis added two more to complete his hat-trick. There was also a penalty try.
Bargoed ran out 45-3 victors at Maesteg Quins. Huw Rees was at the double with Adam Powell, Kieron Brown, Callum Jones, Adam Jones and Jordan Howells also crashing over. Steff Jones added five conversions.
Elsewhere, tries from Jordan Rees, Lewis Evans, Dale Rogers and Matthew Bancroft set Bedwas on their way to a 27-10 home success against Beddau while Cardiff Met got the better of Cross Keys 44-20.
Tata Steel remain rock bottom after going down to a ninth consecutive defeat, 19-13 at home by Glamorgan Wanderers. And it was a tale of two penalties at Trebanos who drew 3-3 with Narberth, with Richard Brunton’s first half penalty for the hosts cancelled out in the second half by Jonathan Rogers.
