Merthyr and Pontypridd both sealed victories this weekend, as the race for top spot in the Eastern Conference heats up. Meanwhile, Cardiff RFC were dealt a major blow to their top-three hopes following a defeat to Bedwas. The Principality Premiership takes a two-week break due to the British and Irish Cup, before returning to action around the Christmas period for the final round of the Eastern Conference.
Cross Keys 7 Pontypridd 16
Pontypridd sealed the double over Cross Keys and made it back-to-back wins as they maintained pressure on Eastern Conference leaders, Merthyr.
Justin Burnell’s side looked strong in the opening stages of the game, but it was the hosts that struck first, against the run of play. Keys kicked the ball into open space downfield, and wing Mathew Powell was quickest to gather possession and race in for the game’s opening score.
Corey Shepard converted, but Pontypridd maintained the pressure and were awarded for their efforts with half time approaching. A series of scrums around the Keys’ try line eventually allowed Alex Webber to find a gap in the home defence and close the gap to two points at the interval.
A pair of Diggy Bird penalties edged Ponty ahead in the second half, before a late Rhys Shellard try sealed the victory for the visitors.
Cardiff 10 Bedwas 22
Bedwas sealed the double over Steve Law’s side to take them 10 points clear of the Blue and Blacks in third place.
The visitors claimed the first score of the game, as Mike Callow made way in the centre, finding support from Andrew Waite, with the number eight running in from 40 meters.
Steffan Jones made no mistakes from the kicking tee, stretching his side’s lead to seven points, and ten minutes later Bedwas were celebrating their second of the evening, as prop Brynley Toms crossed over in the corner.
Josh Fly put Cardiff on the board with a penalty, but a try for Lewis Evans killed any hope of a comeback, with Jones adding a conversion and penalty to put his side 3-22 ahead.
There was a consolation score for the Blue and Blacks as Tom Daley touched down in the closing stages, but Bedwas held out for a crucial victory.
Merthyr 57 Ebbw Vale 7
Merthyr head into the two-week break sitting on top of the Eastern Conference following a bonus point win as the Ironmen came out on top against the Steelmen of Ebbw Vale.
It was a nightmare start for the Steelmen, as wing Srden Majkic was shown a yellow card within the first two minutes for a tip-tackle. Merthyr took advantage of the extra man to send wing Kyle Evans through for the game’s opening score.
Evans was hungry for more, and would cross the whitewash twice to secure his hat-trick and put his side 19-points ahead.
Lively scrum half, Justin James, secured a bonus point before the interval, and the hosts picked up where they left off during the second half, as Kristian Phillips intercepted to score under the sticks. Replacement Gareth Davies converted to make it 31-0.
Hooker Richard Wilkes touched down following a strong drive by the Merthyr pack, before Steffan Andrews’ had his opportunity to register on the scoresheet, racing clear and giving his side a 45-point advantage.
Evans’ fourth try of the evening saw the Ironmen pass the half century mark, and despite Majkic crossing over for a consolation score for the visitors, Andrews claimed his second to round off a momentous victory.