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Bridgend beaten at the death once again

Dewi Cross

Dewi Cross scored a second half hat-trick for Cardiff

The battle for survival in the Indigo Group Premiership took two dramatic twists at the weekend as Bridgend lost a lead in the dying moments and relegation rivals Ebbw Vale won at the death.

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It means the gap between the two bottom clubs grew to eight points, with the Steelmen having a game in hand on basement side Bridgend after they completed the double over RGC 1404 with a 20-17 home win.

Dan Hill forced his way over for a try three minutes from time at Eugene Cross Park, converted by Rhys Jones, to secure a dramatic win for the Steelmen. Billy McBryde kicked the only points of the first half 80 seconds before the break to give the Gogs a narrow 3-0 advantage.​

Lewis Young was the other Ebbw try scorer, also converted by Jones in addition to a penalty and a drop goal.​ Jordan Scott, converted by McBryde, and Danny Cross – converted himself from the touchline – were the RGC second half scorers. ​

Ebbw, with five to play, also have a game in hand on Bridgend – whose luck ran out once again in the dying embers of yet another game as they were pipped 20-14 by Carmarthen at the Brewery Field. ​

Having taken the lead for the first time in the match with a Dewi Cross try six minutes from time, it looked as though the relegation threatened Ravens were about to pick up four priceless points.​

But back came the Quins and a try from James Newnian at the death allowed them to cut the gap at the top of the table to seven points behind Cardiff. ​ Leon Randell was the other Quins scorer with Steff Marshall kicking the rest. ​Adam Jones, on his home debut, also scored for Bridgend with Owen Howe converting both.​

Pontypridd headed back down the A470 with the derby day bragging rights after coming from behind to win 36-27 complete a league double over rivals Merthyr.​

It was visitors who drew first blood through Ben Jones after three minutes, converted by Diggy Bird, but Merthyr’s response was immediate with Chris Phillips going over. Gareth Davies added the extras.​

Bird kicked three first half penalties for Ponty but they would trail 22-16 at the break after Sam Jones and Tom Daley also went over. Davies converted Daley’s try and kicked a penalty. ​

Dale Stuckey scored a superb solo try before then grabbing another following Alex Webber’s grubber as Ponty pulled away in the second half. ​Bird converted both as well as adding two more penalties before Ben Murphy scored a late consolation for Merthyr.​

Llandovery held off a second half Swansea fightback to prevail 21-10 and make it 19 consecutive wins over the Whites. ​The visitors arrived at Church Bank having not beaten the Drovers in a league or cup match since August 2010 and this result means their hoodoo continues. ​

First half tries from Rhodri Jones and Rhodri Wall, both converted by Jack Maynard, gave the Drovers a 14-0 half time advantage.​ Swansea, though, fought back after the re-start with James Davies splitting the posts to get them on the scoreboard and then, when Davies converted Matthew Moore’s 56th minute try, they were back to within four points. ​

The visitors were forced to play the final quarter with 14 men after prop Greg Cunniffe was shown a second yellow which all but dashed their victory hopes. Llew Smith scored a third Llandovery try a minute from time which Kristian Jones converted. ​

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