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Bargoed’s blistering start to the season continued as they stormed to a 54-25 win over Ystrad Rhondda in the WRU Championship Cup on Saturday.
Meanwhile, both Bedwas and Cross Keys recorded wins the WRU Challenge Plate, beating Tata Steel 55-15 and Beddau 17-13 respectively.
Bargoed 54-25 Ystrad Rhondda – WRU Championship Cup
Bargoed welcomed Ystrad Rhondda to Bargoed Park on Saturday, with both teams going into the game having been unbeaten in the first phase of the WRU Championship Cup.
The visitors were on top in the first half, with Bargoed trailing 15-14 at the interval. The lead was extended early in the second half to give Ystrad Rhondda an 18-14 lead.
But Bargoed reacted superbly, blowing away their opponents with a rampant second half display, scoring six tries and racking 40 points onto the scoreboard.
Loose head prop Kieron Brown scored two tries, as did winger Dylan Williams. Centre Jordan Howells, winger Steff Thomas and replacement scrum-half James Leadbetter also crossed the try-line for Bargoed, with Josh Prosser adding the extras from the kicking tee.
A penalty try was also given Bargoed’s way during the second-half.
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Bedwas 55-15 Tata Steel – WRU Challenge Plate
A dominant Bedwas side brushed aside Port Talbot-based Tata Steel with an eight-try frenzy at the Bridgefield.
Amongst the tries was debutant Aaron Billingham – who marked his 21st birthday with a hat-trick.
Despite falling behind after five minutes, Bedwas’s Matty Bancroft kicked a penalty to make the score 5-3. The visitors extended the lead with a penalty kick of their own, but Bedwas fired back with Tata Steel seeing two of their players sin binned.
Billingham’s first try of the game was converted by Bancroft, putting Bedwas ahead for the first time in the game. Soon after, prop Rhys Hutcherson crossed the try-line, followed by a Bancroft try as Bedwas began dominating before the half-time whistle.
Two minutes into the second half, Sam Davies scored Bedwas’ fourth try of the afternoon. The visitors pulled one back but it made little difference to the game.
Soon after, second-rower Harry Oliver scored his first Bedwas try, before Rory Harries adding the sixth try.
Billingham completed his hat-trick to finish the rout.
Bedwas Head Coach Stefan Sankala said: “We made a sluggish start but once we found our rhythm, I was pleased with the intensity we played at. What especially pleased me was the ruthless fashion in which we took our scoring chances, something that will do wonders for our confidence.”
Match report and imagery provided by Ian Lovell of Bedwas RFC.
Beddau 13-17 Cross Keys – WRU Challenge Plate
Cross Keys stole victory in the dying moments of the game after hooker Conor Vaughan crossed over for the winning try at Beddau.
His try came as the Keys were trailing 13-12, having scored four penalty kicks through the boot of Adam Tetley.
The sides went into the half-time break level at 6-6, with Beddau scoring a converted try to take the lead.
But it was the Keys who seized victory as they bounced back from a 13-5 home defeat to Bedwas in their WRU Challenge Plate opener the previous weekend.
Next fixtures
Bargoed v Maesteg Harlequins – Saturday, October 16 (WRU Championship Cup)
Trebanos v Bedwas – Saturday, October 16 (WRU Challenge Plate)
Cross Keys v Tata Steel – Friday, October 22 (WRU Challenge Plate)
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