Ponty take memorial shield

Premiership round-up

PONTYPRIDD went top of the Welsh Premiership and bagged a piece of silverware in the process after winning 42-12 at Cardiff Met – while Merthyr lost against Bargoed.

Skipper Cally James, brother Cai James, Joe Miles, Louis Rochefort-Shugar, Lucas Welsh and Stuart Floyd-Ellis got the Pontypridd tries. Jacob Symes kicked four conversions and Jaydan Pugh two.

Harry Rice, converted by Tom Howlett, and Ben Agbenu got the Met tries.

After the match Pontypridd were presented It was one of a brace for Congreve, with centre Jordan Howells also at the double. Louis Tovey was the other Bargoed try scorer. Josh Prosser kicked four conversions and two penalties.

Hooker Ellis Shipp scored a hat-trick for Merthyr with skipper Paddy McBride and Craig Locke also going over. Ben Jones converted all five tries.

Merthyr drop to third with Neath moving a point above them and level with Pontypridd – albeit having played a game more – after recording a five-star 33-24 win over Ystrad Rhondda at the Gnoll.

Ki Morgan, Ryan Griffiths and Gethin Tremlett and two tries from skip-with the inaugural John Pugh Memorial Shield.

It is in honour of Pugh, the former Pro-Vice Chancellor at the university and chairman of Cardiff Met RFC for over 30 years, before his passing in October 2023. He also proudly represented Pontypridd as a player in his younger days.

The win at Met made it five out of five so far this season for the Valley Commandos – who now hold the only remaining unbeaten record in the division.

That is after Merthyr were stunned 39-35 at home by Bargoed.

Wing Josh Congreve’s late try snatched victory for the visitors in a 10-try thriller at the Wern. per Ben Williams guided the Welsh All Blacks home. Steff Williams kicked four conversions.

Newbridge were 3630 victors at bottom side Narberth – who are still without a league win.

Cian Jones and Simon Veall both bagged try braces with Scott Evans and Jakob Duffy also going over for Newbridge. Robbie Turley kicked three conversions.

Callum Price and Eray Wilson were also at the double for Llangennech on their way to a 40-19 win at Bonymaen, while tries from Nathan Huish, Laurence Donnelly, Ralph Miller, Dan Babos and James Smith saw Cross Keys to victory 34-17 over Newcastle Emlyn.