Super Rygbi round-up
SUPER Rygbi Cymru leaders Ebbw Vale were stunned 2316 at Gwent rivals Pontypool yesterday – ending their seven-match winning streak.
Full-back Pat Lewis scored in each half, with number eight Morgan Allen also crashing over in the second period, to bag the derby day bragging rights for Pooler, who also had former Wales centre Scott Williams lining up for them in the centre.
Outside-half Kieran Meek added eight points from the tee as he also smashed through the 100-point barrier for the season.
The result was a fourth win from their last five matches in SRC for Tom Hancock’s men – who are still yet to taste defeat at home since he took over as head coach.
It’s also now four consecutive wins at home since their narrow defeat by Llandovery on opening night, when Leighton Jones was still in charge.
Ebbw will have an immediate chance to avenge this defeat when the two sides meet again in the return fixture at Eugene
Cross Park next Saturday but this loss – only their second of the campaign – is a blow, just a week after beating Cardiff to go top of the table.
The Steelmen had their noses in front 11-7 at the pause, but they ultimately had to settle for a losing bonus point. Skipper Joe Franchi and centre Dom Franchi were their try scorers with Evan Lloyd kicking two penalties.
Defeat for Ebbw means Cardiff now have the chance to return to the top when they take on old rivals Newport at the Arms Park this afternoon (ko: 16:45).
That defeat by the Steelmen for the Blue and Blacks last weekend ended their five-game winning streak while they will come up against a Newport side bidding for a fourth straight win.
Ahead of the clash, Cardiff head coach Dan Fish said: “A Christmas derby at home is a great way for us to get back on track.
“We’ve had a good training week and know we have to be switched on for the full 80 minutes against a good Newport team.
“It’s the last home game of the year and we hope to go out on a bang.”
Llandovery made it six wins on the spin and took the maximum points on offer in the process after defeating Carmarthen Quins 35-5 at Church Bank.
Two first-half tries from right wing Llian Morgan and one for hooker Taylor Davies, all converted by outside half Ioan Hughes, helped the Drovers open up a 21-5 half time lead. Wing Ifan Davies replied for the Quins.
Prop Jamie Hughes made sure of Llandovery’s first bonus point with try number four with replacement Ed Scragg grabbing a fifth try off the bench. Hughes added the extras to both scores.
The result takes Euros Evans’ men up into third.
RGC finally ended their search for a first win on the road – at the sixth time of asking – after running out victorious 34-28 at Bridgend Ravens.
Tries from full-back Dion Jones and flankers Ethan Fackrell and Dan Owen helped the Gogs into a 27-7 lead at the break, with outside-half
Billy McBryde converting all three tries and sending over two penalties to also reach the 100-point mark for the season.
Hooker Rhodri King grabbed a fourth RGC try in the second half, again converted by McBryde.
Mccauley Rowley scored in the first half for Bridgend, who had hooker Evan Yardley at the double from two driving mauls in the second half. All three scores were converted by Ben Burnell.
A penalty try awarded to the home side ensured a tense finish – with RGC down to 13 men with Celt Ffransis-Roberts and Ilan Evans yellow carded.
But the visitors stood firm while the Ravens did at least bag two bonus points despite a sixth straight defeat for them.
Aberavon saw off winless bottom side Swansea 26-0 at the Talbot Athletic Ground to also bag six points and make it a hat-trick of SRC victories for the Wizards.
No.8 Ashton Evans’ first half try, converted by Ed Dunford, was followed up with second half tries from right wing Cori Lewis-Jenkins and a double from left wing Felix Gilbert. Dunford converted Lewis-Jenkins’ try and the first of Gilbert’s.
For Swansea this was defeat number 11 from 11 matches in SRC.
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