The race for top spot in Super Rygbi Cymru looks set to go right down to the wire after Cardiff leapfrogged Ebbw Vale to take over at the top.
With three rounds of regular league fixtures remaining over the next three weekends before the post-season play-offs begin at the end of April, Cardiff’s win at Aberavon moved them five-points clear of Ebbw Vale.
However, The Steelmen do still have a game in hand on the capital club – which is a trip to Aberavon scheduled for 16 April, ahead of the final round of matches.
Ebbw Vale’s victory over Bridgend Ravens less than 48 hours earlier had taken them back to the top of the pile before the Blue & Blacks returned to the summit after running in seven tries in a 44-22 win over the Wizards at the Talbot Athletic Ground.
Full-back Matty Young and wing Joe Goodchild both grabbed a try in each half, with scrum-half Joe Williams, flanker Nathan Hudd and a penalty try also on the scoresheet for the visitors. Wales U20 outside half Harri Wilde kicked two conversions and a penalty.
Having trailed 31-3 at the break, Aberavon outscored their visitors in the second half. They scored three tries of their own through No 8 Ashton Evans, wing Felix Gilbert and replacement hooker Saul Hurley, with Ed Dunford kicking five points from the tee and Charlie Thomas two.
The win once again took Cardiff above Ebbw – who had put the disappointment of their SRC Cup final defeat to Llandovery behind them, taking maximum points from a 48-17 home win against Bridgend.
No 8 Ryan Jenkins scored twice with flanker Kobi Rees, scrum-half Rory Harries and wing Ryan Gardner, along with replacements Joe Franchi and Jacob Hopkins running in tries for the Steelmen, who were also awarded a penalty try. Evan Lloyd added three conversions.
Ebbw centre Ethan Phillips was shown a red card in the closing stages after he was adjudged by the assistant referee to have thrown a clear punch. The incident happened after Ebbw outside half Lloyd appeared to take a boot to the chest, resulting in some pushing and shoving between the two sets of players.
When the assistant told referee Craig Evans a punch had been thrown, he sent off Phillips. Hooker Corey Lewis and replacement Callaghan Smith scored tries for the Ravens, while Paul Short sent over a conversion and a penalty with Smith adding the extras to his own try.
It also marked the fifth successful defence of the SRC Challenger Shield by Ebbw, who will put it on the line once again when they host Carmarthen Quins on Saturday – with Cardiff heading to Bridgend.
Ebbw skipper Franchi said: “We were all really disappointed after losing the final, but every time we’ve had a little bit of a setback this year we’ve always bounced back well.
“So, I had faith in the boys being able to do that again. That’s a real big improvement from last year.
“It’s just credit to the whole squad and the good feeling we’ve got in the group, and there’s no better way to put that disappointment behind us than getting a bonus point win at home and keeping hold of that shield for another week.”
SRC Cup winners Llandovery, in third place in the league table, lost ground on the top two after they were stunned 42-24 at Swansea. It was Swansea’s first win over the Drovers in 28 matches – a run going back almost 15 years to 28 August 2010.
The omens didn’t look good when Jack Maynard’s try gave Llandovery an early lead, but scrum-half Matthew Aubrey’s hat-trick helped secure a remarkable win for the Whites. Prop Daf Davies, lock Chris Thompson and centre Joe Thomas also scored as the Drovers were hit for six at St Helen’s, where outside half Josh Phillips added the extras to all of the home tries.
Second half tries from wing Harri Doel and hooker Taylor Davies did at least ensure the visitors did not leave empty handed. Scrum-half George MacDonald also scored in the first half. Maynard and Ioan Hughes kicked one conversion apiece.
Carmarthen Quins beat RGC 29-21 to record their first victory for more than four months and ending a run of 10 straight defeats. Hooker Lewis Morgan helped himself to two more tries – his 12th and 13th of the season – to go clear at the top of the league try scoring charts.
Scrum-half Lucca Setaro and replacement Iestyn Richards secured a bonus-point win for the Quins. Elis Price kicked two conversions and a penalty while Aled Thomas converted Richards’ try.
It secured Quins their first victory since they won at Bridgend 22 November. Caio Parry and Osian Burt replied for the Gogs with Billy McBryde chipping in with 11 points.