Newport grab six for double bonus
Super Rygbi round-up
NEWPORT hit Bridgend for six on opening day in Super Rygbi Cymru and created history in the process.
The Black and Ambers’ 41-22 victory saw them become the first side to earn the extra bonus point on offer if teams win by 15 points or more.
Although it looked comfortable in the end, Newport had to come from behind after Scott Baldwin’s rejuvenated Ravens hit the front with first-half unconverted tries from Curtis Greenslade and Edd Howley.
Newport were finally on the scoreboard after 36 minutes through Wade Langley’s unconverted try before Chay Foster-Smith grabbed their second try, converted by Matt O’Brien, as they led 12-10 at half-time.
A try double from Oli Drake after the restart secured the hosts’ first bonus point before Henry Palmer and Rynard Landman added further tries, both converted by O’Brien, who also added the extras to Drake’s second try.
Bridgend did leave with a bonus point after a second score from Howley and a breakaway try from Macaulay Rowley. Price converted the latter before O’Brien sent over a late penalty for Newport.
Llandovery were pushed to the edge at Pontypool – but clung on for a 21-18 victory.
In a compelling contest, there was never more than nine points between the teams and twice in the second half Pontypool battled back to go ahead.
Having taken an early lead through a Kieran Meek penalty, the home side found themselves trailing 12-10 at the break after the Drovers took the lead through tries from wing Ilan Phillips and hooker Taylor Davies, one of which was converted by Ioan Hughes.
Pontypool’s cause wasn’t helped by a yellow card in each half, hooker Sam Scarfe leaving a few minutes before opposite number Taylor scored and then Joe Scrivens in the dying minutes.
The first of two tries from left wing Matt Powell brought Pooler back into the contest at the end of the first half. Meek added the extras to cut the gap to two points.
Powell struck again seven minutes into the second half after being put clear following a brilliant break by his centre Joel Mahoney. Meek couldn’t convert, but Pooler were ahead 15-12.
From there on it became a battle between the two packs and the two goalkickers. Jack Maynard kicked three penalties for the Drovers, while Meek dropped a goal and then kicked a penalty.
With the pressure mounting on the Drovers, they held on.
Elsewhere, a stunning hat-trick on debut from Wales U18 speedster Tom Bowen inspired Cardiff to a 32-25 victory at RGC.
Dewi Cross and Joe Goodchild were the visitors’ other try scorers. Harri Wilde kicked two conversions while replacement kicker Osian Darwin-Lewis sent over a late penalty.
Sam Stoddart, Sam Williams and Tal Taylor scored for RGC with Dion Jones adding two conversions and two penalties for the Gogs – who led 25-24 at one stage in the second half.
Ebbw Vale made a winning start after they saw off Aberavon 34-22 at Eugene Cross Park.
Skipper Joe Franchi, outside centre Ethan Phillips, back rower Ewan McIntyre, wing Ryan Gardner and scrum-half Jon Evans secured five points on the opening weekend for the Steel-men.
Wing Connor Moyse crossed twice for the Wizards with Scott Delveno also on the scoresheet. Ed Dunford kicked two conversions and a penalty. Meanwhile Carmarthen Quins saw off Swansea 39-29.
The visitors led twice in the first half, first through outside centre Lewis Edwards’ try after only two minutes and then Ryan Jones, both converted by Josh Phillips – who also landed a penalty.
But it was the Quins who had their noses in front 19-17 at the turnaround thanks to two tries from hooker Lewis Morgan and one for flanker Gethin Davies. Outside-half Ifan Davies kicked two conversions.
A pair of Osian Jones penalties after the restart stretched the Quins’ lead to eight points and they were soon all but out of sight when lock Josh Helps and then No.8 Lewys Millin added further tries, both converted by Jones to make it 39-17.
Swansea though would leave with a bonus point thanks to further tries in the closing stages from Geraint Powell and then Callum Dodd, converted by Harri Williams.
