Premiership round-up
EBBW VALE completed a smash and grab raid in the second half at Sardis Road to prove they have got what it takes to stay in the title race in the Premiership.
Jason Strange’s side arrived hoping to complete the double over hosts Pontypridd, but things certainly didn’t go to plan in the first 40 minutes.
Playing into the wind and driving rain, they put together probably their worst half of the season.
That left them with a mountain to climb in the second half after they changed ends trailing 20-5. Things didn’t start well in the second half either, as Ryan Wilkins extended the Ponty lead with a third try.
Hooker Joe Franchi gave the visitors the perfect start, but by the break Ponty had conjured up tries for wings Macauley Rowley and Liam Lloyd and Josh Phillips had kicked 10 points.
The Steelmen had to wait until the 55th minute before Carrick Mc-Donough was able to cross for a try that Evan Lloyd improved. Then replacement hooker Ieuan Morris added another close-range score that was again converted.
Now it was a one game score and when replacement scrum-half Jon Evans went the final few inches to score and Lloyd added the conversion, it edged the visitors in front for the first time in more than an hour at 26-25.
For the second weekend in a row, Premiership leaders Llandovery failed to pick up a try bonus point, although their 20-10 triumph over Merthyr at The Wern still keeps them three points clear at the top with a game in hand.
The Drovers led 12-0 at the break after a scintillating solo try by scrum half Lee Rees, converted by outside half Jack Maynard, and one from their leading try scorer, hooker Taylor Davies, from a short range line out.
It should have been more as the Drovers missed two golden chances, but the Ironmen responded well in the second half. Skipper and flanker Paddy McBride drove through from close range to bag a try that Gareth Thompson converted.
Maynard and Thompson swapped penalties before replacement hooker Craig Thomas put Llandovery clear again.
Pontypool got back on the horse again after their derby defeat to arch-rivals Newport last weekend as they completed a double over Swansea with a 24-3 win at St Helen’s.
A Rhys Jones penalty kicked off the scoring after 12 minutes, but Pooler hit back with a pushover try from No.8 Ben Moa that Matthew Jarvis improved as he celebrated his 50th game for the club.
Jones was wide with another penalty shot and just before the break the visitors’ patience and power proved decisive as they went through the phases close to the Swansea line before prop Ollie Drake powered his way over.
Jarvis converted and then brought the curtain down on the first-half with a penalty that made it 17-3 to the visitors. After the break, Jarvis pushed another penalty shot wide before flanker Callum Davies and home scrum-half Gareth J Rees both received yellow cards for a bit of pushing and shoving.
All that was left was for captain for the day Ashley Sweet to barge his way over for Pooler’s third try, which Jarvis improved.
Aberavon needed a reaction after losing at The Gnoll on Boxing Day and skipper Joe Gage led the way with a try after only six minutes to kickstart a much needed 32-26 home victory over Bridgend.
Aled Thomas added the extras to that opening score, and then powerful lock Rhys Thomas pounced for a second to make it 12-0 in as many minutes.
Slowly, but surely, the visitors got a toehold in the game and a try from Ben Thomas got them on the board before Edd Howley kicked a penalty to cut the gap to four points.
Scrum-half Liam Seaward then grabbed Aberavon’s third try midway through the first half and Thomas converted. Back came Bridgend and a special try from full back Howley, which he also improved, made it 19-15 at the break.
Five minutes into the second half Zac O’Driscoll edged the Ravens ahead with a try, but it was shortlived. The Wizards replied with a try from Ben Gregory, and after adding the extras Thomas kicked a penalty to make it 29-20 on the hour mark.
Howley and Thomas swapped further penalties before the Bridgend man added another to leave his side with a losing bonus-point.
Cardiff failed to make it four in a row as they were beaten 14-9 by RGC in Colwyn Bay.
A corner try by scrumhalf Efan Jones in the first half was the highlight of a game in which all the other points came from the boot – Sam Earl-Jones added three penalties for RGC and Harri Wilde and Harrison James shared three for the visitors.
James’ second success came with the last kick of the game moments after home wing Afan Bagshaw was sent off for a high tackle.
Carmarthen Quins against Neath was postponed.
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