Quins took the lead mid-way through the first-half, Ian Jones getting on the scoresheet with the only try of the game. Three penalties from Italian international outside half Kris Burton then gave Bedwas an unlikely 9-5 lead.
But the league leaders battled back into the lead through two Craig Evans penalties before Burton had the chance to snatch a win for Bedwas with the last kick of the game. He missed the target though and with that went their chance of victory.
Title-chasing Llandovery saw off a battling Cross Keys side 23-16 to keep pace with the league leaders. Keys got the better of a dull first-half, three Steffan Jones penalties taking them into the interval 9-3 ahead.
But in the space of just seven minutes, Llandovery’s James Garland turned the game on its head. His two penalties and converted try gave the Drovers a 16-9 lead.
The home side extended their lead through a Rhodri Jones try, converted once again by Garland, before a late James Cordy-Redden try provided the visitors with a little consolation.
Llanelli took all the points in a thrilling game of rugby against Bridgend at the Brewery Field – one which saw the two teams serve up 10 tries and 76 points. The visitors eventually ran out 41-35 victors.
Bridgend were on the score board with tries from Rhys Ward Jones, Arthur Ellis, Ryan Evans and Ross Jones but three second-half scores saw Llanelli retake the lead and they eventually went on to win a cracker.
A James Thomas inspired Neath pulled off a dramatic 20-17 win away at Cardiff to notch only their fourth victory this season. A Thomas penalty and a Ceri Young converted try saw the visitors’ race into a 10-0 lead in the first 15 minutes.
The next quarter of an hour belonged to the home side, who fought their way back into the game with a Jack Phillips try and a Jack Maynard penalty. Neath restored their lead when Thomas went over on the stroke of half-time to go into the break 17-10 ahead.
Tom Slater’s try on the hour drew Cardiff level but Thomas had the final say scoring the winning penalty and taking his match tally to fifteen.
In the rearranged SWALEC Cup fixture, Pontypridd set up a quarter final clash with Llanelli following a 34-10 victory over Newport.
“It was good to get back on the field and get a game under our belt,” said Pontypridd No. 8 Dan Godfrey. “The score difference flattered us but in a Cup tie like this, the result is all that matters.
“We have been out of action for too long but we came through a difficult test and got that all important win.”
Pontypridd forwards coach Geraint Lewis echoed Godfrey’s sentiments. “We’re just relieved to get through into the next round,” he said. “The main objective today was to get back out playing and secure the win.
“There is plenty of room to improve on the performance but we showed great character and scored some good tries. We can build on this win and build up some momentum now going into a crucial phase of the season”.
Principality Premiership results:
Bridgend 35-41 Llanelli
Cardiff Rugby 17-20 Neath
Carmarthen Quins 11-9 Bedwas
Llandovery 23-16 Cross Keys
SWALEC Cup result:
Pontypridd 34-10 Newport
