Leaders Pontypridd made it nine wins from 10 matches as they gave Newcastle Emlyn six of the best on their way to a 38-0 victory at Dol Wiber. Wing Joe Davies and Ioan Evans, converted by Jaydan Pugh, put the Valley Commandos in front 12-0 at the interval.
Four more tries followed in the second half, with Davies grabbing his second while Cai James, Jeff Young and Mitch Barnard also got their names on the scoresheet. Jaydan Pugh added another two conversions and Jacob Symes one.
The win made it two from two as interim player head coach for Kristian Parker, who started in the second row.
“Really pleased with that second half performance more than anything. The first half was a real slog, a proper war of attrition,” said Parker.
“Fair play to Newcastle Emlyn, they came out roaring and you could see by their previous results why it’s such a hard place to come down here. But really pleased with that second half from the boys; they stuck to the structure and used our driving lineout as a weapon again.”
Neath remain four points back in second as they bounced back from their defeat by Pontypridd last time out by returning to winning ways 33-26 over Cardiff Met at The Gnoll.
Hooker Josh Clark – on his 50th appearance – prop Rhys Taylor, full-back Gareth Rees, wing Ki Morgan and centre Kieran Charles were Neath’s try scorers. Steff Williams converted four of them.
Gus Patterson, Cerith Davies, Ollie Davies and Tom Weekley scored for the visitors. Ross McKay landed three conversions – including one from the touchline on the final whistle to earn a second bonus point for Met.
Third-placed Merthyr are two points further back but do have a game in hand on the top two. The Ironmen also ran in five tries in a 33-7 victory at Newbridge.
Dafydd Land, Jacob Lloyd, Finn Baker, skipper Paddy McBride and Ben Jones – who also kicked four conversions – were their scorers. Matthew Davies replied for Newbridge, converted by Eamonn Rees.
After a pair of defeats Brecon also returned to winning ways as they put Bonymaen to the sword 46-14. Wing Sam Jones was at the double for Dale McIntosh’s men, with Jack Dixon, James Roberts, Chad Davies, Andy Nicholl and Tom Richards also crashing over.
James Dixon kicked four conversions and one penalty. Lewys Bullock and Joe Yeates got the Bonymaen tries, both improved by Lawrence Thomas.
Curtis Williams’ brace along with tries from Jordan Pritchard and Morgan Williams helped Ystrad Rhondda beat Llangennech 26-10. Rhys Truelove added three conversions, while Eray Wilson and Kalum Evans grabbed tries for the visitors.
Cross Keys were victorious 30-24 over Narberth in a game that was switched to Risca RFC due to the flooding and damage caused to Keys’ Pandy Park ground by the recent storms. Tom Sullivan was among the try scorers for Keys as they opened up a 30-7 lead at half time.
