Round Up: Konica Minolta Cup
It was a game that Pontypridd Coach Simon King had been worrying about all week for two main reasons. First, Llanelli had lost in the first game of their title defence last season and secondly, no team had won at the Welfare Ground this season.
“They gave us a physical workout up front and I was pleased the weather was favourable because on a wet pitch we would have had even more difficulties,” said King. “They kept the ball for long periods and I was pleased that we were able to keep them to nil. We only managed one try in the first half, but then took control after the break.
“Our run to the final last season was pretty easy to begin with but Newbridge gave us a tough start to our defence. We have the experience of going the distance in the Konica Minolta Cup and we want to make that pay again this season to try to reach a third successive final.”
Paul Matthews, Christian Barnard, Lee Evans and Dafydd Lockyer were the Pontypridd try scorers, the last three helping them to a comfortable advantage after they changed ends a mere 8-0 ahead.
Last season’s beaten finalists Neath had try machine Steve Thomas to thank for their place in the next round following a 21-8 win at ASDA League One East Beddau. Thomas scored two tries while the former Scarlets outside-half kicked eleven points. Wing Dan Meredith grabbed a home try and coach Brett Davey kicked a penalty.
Bridgend’s former Wales U21 wing Will Kershaw-Naylor grabbed a hat-trick of tries as the Ravens ran in seven against Abercynon in a 53-19 win at the Brewery Field. Darren Simpson ran in two more and Andrew Joy and Brendan Roach got the others while Gareth David kicked eighteen points.
Former Wales fullback Justin Thomas scored a vital try in Caerphilly’s hard-earned 18-15 home win over Carmarthen Quins. Wings David Reid and Chris Thomas scored the other home tries, while the Quins had touchdowns from Wayne Price and fullback Anthony Rees.
There were eleven tries for Cardiff in the emphatic 69-14 win over Narberth at the Arms Park including a hat trick for centre Richard Jones. However the Blue & Blacks will have one eye on who they draw in the next round following the success of near neighbours St Peter’s, the ASDA League Three South-East side reached the sixth round with a 16-3 home win over Cardiff rivals Llanishen fourteen years to the week when they famously dumped the Arms Park side out of the tournament to create the greatest cup upset in Welsh rugby history.
Back row men Luke Riordon and Rob O’Brien did the damage with tries and Neil Parsons added a penalty and conversions to make the Rocks the lowest league team still in the cup.
Llandovery’s New Zealand import Jon Elrick passed a century of points in only his sixth game for the club as he converted six of his side’s seven tries in a 50-10 win over Nantyffyllon. Elrick ended with twenty points and now has one hundred and three for the season.
Matt Jess scored twice for Principality Premiership leaders Ebbw Vale in their 28-17 win at Llangennech while Karl Hocking grabbed two tries in Maesteg’s 47-15 home win over Bridgend Athletic.
There were no problems for two more of the Principality Premiership sides, Newport and Aberavon, as they brushed aside ASDA League One West opposition away from home. Newport were 47-7 winners at Bonymaen while David Hawkings and Anthony Edwards both scored a brace of tries in the Wizards’ 49-14 triumph at Cwmllynfell.
ASDA League Two West leaders Tonmawr lost their first game of the season as they were beaten 32-13 at Glamorgan Wanderers. The home side were 20-13 ahead at the interval and had late tries from Ben Rose and Alex Luff to steer them through.
The boot of centre Phil Doleman saved Bedwas’s blushes at Pontypool. Doleman kicked three penalties and converted a try by Michael Wilcox to secure a 15-11 win for the Premiership side.
There were thirteen tries for Llanelli in their 85-7 win at Seven Sisters. Fly-half Dan Evans scored one as well as kicking ten conversions for a tally of twenty-five points.
ASDA League One West Whitland came within a point of Principality Premiership rivals Cross Keys in the second half before falling 26-20 on their home patch, with Aled Davies converting tries by Lee Glanville and Dion Thomas. A brace by Keys wing John Hill tipped the balance in favour of the visitors.
Swansea found themselves 18-0 ahead at half-time against ASDA League One West side Loughor, but then lost the second half 9-5 as the village side gained significant respectability from a 23-9 defeat.
