Premiership round-up
PREMIERSHIP Cup finalists Merthyr edged a 10-try thriller at Aberavon 33-31.
Morgan Meaclem opened the scoring two minutes in with Josh Lewis converting. Further first-half tries from Kian Evans and Craig Locke, the latter converted by Lewis, saw the visitors with their noses in front 19-12 at the interval.
Frankie Jones, converted by James Davies, and then Stef Andrews had earlier responded to Meaclem and Evans’ tries respectively.
Jay Baker scored a third Aberavon try just after the restart but it wasn’t long before Merthyr were back up the other end scoring a bonus point try by Adam Hoskins. Lewis converted for a 26-17 lead.
Aberavon hit back with tries from Rhodri Hughes and Shay Smallman, both converted by Davies, to go 31-26 ahead. But it was Merthyr who had the final say on 62 minutes with their fifth try scored and converted by Lewis.
Leaders Llandovery produced another ruthless display to win 48-26 at Pontypool.
Winger Kian Abraham’s first half hat-trick set the double chasing Drovers on their way to a 17th consecutive win in all competitions and 15th in a row in the league.
Full-back Jac Davies and brothers Aaron and Adam Warren also ran in first half tries to open up a 36-7 lead with Pontypool hit for six.
Pooler threatened a second half comeback with scrum-half Morgan Lloyd scoring a brilliant hattrick of his own, adding to hooker Sam Scarfe’s score in the first half to bag them a bonus point.
But hooker Taylor Davies came off the bench to score two further second half tries for the Drovers and cap another thoroughly comprehensive win.
Nearest challengers Newport are now certain of a play-off spot after they beat old rivals Cardiff 28-14 at Rodney Parade to make it nine consecutive bonus point victories.
Centre Chay Foster-Smith broke the deadlock on six minutes with a try converted by Matt O’Brien. That was the way it stayed until three minutes before the break when Newport lock Josh Skinner turned the key on the Cardiff defence to score, with O’Brien again converting, to open up a 14-0 advantage at half time.
Scrum-half Che Hope bagged Newport’s third try just after the break following Foster-Smith’s interception, again converted by O’Brien.
Sean Moore responded for Cardiff with a try just before the hour after charging down a kick with Harrison James converting.
But the bonus point was in the bag for Newport on 69 minutes when fullback Jac Lloyd powered his way through for their fourth try which O’Brien again improved.
It completed a league double for the season over Cardiff – who did bag a second try scored by centre Luke Pollock and converted by James.
Pontypridd won 30- 22 with a bonus-point at Swansea in new interim head coach Chris Dicomidis’ first match in charge.
The Whites hit the front early on with a Rhys Jones penalty and then a try for prop Cameron Jones.
Fijian Nico Matawalu and Tom Edwards hit back with two unconverted tries in as many minutes for the visitors before Cameron Jones’ second try of the match, this time converted by Rhys Jones, edged Swansea back in front 15-10.
But Matawalu’s second try, again unconverted, meant it was level again heading into the break. The bonus point was in the bag for Pontypridd on 58 minutes when Macauley Cook scored their fourth try with Josh Phillips landing a touchline conversion.
Callum Bowden then hit back as Swansea responded almost immediately. Rhys Jones’ conversion levelled matters again at 22-22.
Phillips then landed a penalty before Edwards bagged his second and a fifth try of the afternoon for the Valley Commandos.
Edd Howley’s brace helped Bridgend Ravens see off Neath 32-23 at the Brewery Field.
Zac O’Driscoll and Chris Williams also scored in a bonus point win for the hosts. Jamin Hodgkins kicked three conversions and two penalties. Ryan Griffiths, Ryan Evans and Morgan Kneath scored for the visitors with Kristian Jones kicking two penalties and a conversion.
Elsewhere RGC held off a second half fightback to win 20-15 at Carmarthen Quins.
The visitors scored all of their points in the firsthalf to lead 20-0 at the break through Sam Stoddart and Afon Bagshaw tries. Both were converted by Sam Earl-Jones who also kicked a penalty and a drop goal.
Quins came back in the second half but ultimately had to settle for a losing bonus point.
