Joe Cowell’s side certainly gave a good account of themselves against the unbeaten home side and forced them to dig deeper than they have had to for much of this season before emerging with a 27-7 win.
“We used the game to give many of our Super Rugby players a game. We have a training session with Wales U20 coming up and then head to Exeter for a big match,” said Cardiff Met director of rugby, Danny Milton.
Deon Smith scored early on for Pontypool following an excellent kick from Matthew Jarvis. Josh Carrington soon replied for the Archers, with a strong carry to the line before Pontypool responded soon after with a Dan Babos, try to give them a 12-7 interval lead.
The hosts piled on the pressure and Ieuan Jones found his way over the line, with a strong carry. The students kept working hard but were unable to stop Pontypool gain the try bonus point, as Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths finished neatly in the corner with just five minutes left on the clock, before Pat Lewis added another, adding the gloss to a fine performance.
Neath continue to lead the Championship, but Pontypool remain hot on their tails, after picking yet another bonus-point victory.
Neath maintained their two-point lead at the top of the table, with a comfortable bonus points victory over struggling Ystalyfera. It was a seventh loss in 10 for hosts, who continue to battle hard this season in 12th spot.
Ben Atkins scored the visitors first try, before Dai Griggs added another following some excellent work up front. Sion Crocker added a third try, which saw the league leaders lead at 21-0 before the 25th minute. Ystalyfera hit back through Alec Davies, and Sam Cowley’s conversion closed the gap further.
But it was the away side who continued to control the game. Elis Hopkins added the bonus point try before half time and added his second midway through the second half. Difficult conditions slowed the game, but Griggs scored his second try of the afternoon, sealing five points.
Despite setbacks against both Neath at the beginning of the year and Pontypool in early November, Bargoed moved up into third with a 31-0 win against Glamorgan Wanderers, however the Bulls remain nine points of second place.
Narberth continued to pile the pressure on Bargoed, with an impressive 43-0 thrashing of league strugglers Tata Steel. The Otters led 19-0 at half time and finished the game with seven tries. Illan Phillips bagged four of those, Ben Thomas and Lewys Gibby added a try apiece, and the experienced Nick Gale added a try and four conversions.
It was a new setting for both sides, as Trebanos had moved the game from Trebanos Park to Ysgol Cwm Brombil’s 3g pitch, in Port Talbot, to try and avoid any further weather disruption. It was Beddau who came away with a well-earned 41-14 victory, as they moved up into moved into 11th place.
There was barely one point that separated Ystrad Rhondda and Bedwas ahead of the weekend. And it was the home side who took the initiative, with a 38-5 win, to move them into sixth. Cobi Green and Alex Webber both scored two tries and there were others from Liam Wiggins and Rhys Dauncey, with Rhys Truelove and Jacob Symes sharing four conversions.
