Aberavon 45-25 Bargoed
Saturday September 24, Port Talbot
Principality Premiership pacesetters Aberavon kept up their 100% record with a resounding bonus-point victory over Bargoed.
The Bulls travelled to the Talbot Athletic Ground knowing that they would need to be on top of their game to get anything out of the match.
After conceding a soft opening try, things looked ominous for Bargoed when Aberavon centre Richard Carter grabbed his side’s second with the match still in its early stages.
The swirling wind made kicking unpredictable for both sides, but Bargoed stuck to their task well and opened their account with a well-taken try from centre Ashley Norton.
From a ruck on the half-way line, Norton outpaced his opposition defenders to score from fifty metres.
Callum Jones’ conversion attempt was taken by the wind.
The two sides traded tries with the half-time whistle approaching before Aberavon’s impressive form showed, as Carter’s second try of the afternoon moved the hosts 14 points ahead at 26-12.
Bargoed reduced the deficit five minutes into the second half, as a break up the left hand touchline led to prop Jac Williams crossing at pace.
The Wizards were beginning to lose their grasp on proceedings as flanker Luke Joseph was sin-binned for a ruck infringement, and Jones scored two penalties to put Bargoed ahead 25-26.
Aberavon responded brilliantly, showcasing impressive attacking play which allowed Steff Andrews to restore his side’s lead on the hour mark.
Bargoed were performing admirably in defence, with second row pair Bryce Morgan and James Lock shining, but any hope of an upset was put to bed by Joe Thomas’ try, which was converted by Williams.
At 38-25, Bargoed knew that a losing bonus point was still within reach, but couldn’t get out of their own area. Bargoed No8 Lee Beach was sin-binned for bringing down a driving mail, and the Wizards took advantage of the weakened pack with their seventh try, and an unassailable 45-25 lead.
• Match report by Peter Greening of Bargoed RFC.