Merthyr are the new leaders in the Admiral Premiership after running in a dozen tries in a crushing 78-17 home win over Narberth – with Pontypridd losing at Brecon.
The Ironmen scored six tries in each half at The Wern and were led by right wing Fin Baker’s four-try salvo while fellow winger Dafydd Thomas also ran riot on the other wing, helping himself to a stunning treble.
Daf Land, Cole Swannack, Kian Evans, Jack Kathrens and a penalty try were also on the scoresheet for Merthyr. Ben Jones and Jacob Lloyd kicked four conversions apiece.
Merthyr’s victory over Pontypridd the weekend before had moved them to within just a point of their rivals but, after Ponty went down 36-29 at Brecon, they now lead the way by two points and with two games in hand.
Logan McIntosh, Lewis Jones, Sam Jones, Alwyn Lee and Chris Phillips were the Brecon try scorers with James Dixon kicking four conversions and a penalty.
Wing Joe Davies scored twice for the visitors, with player head coach Kristian Parker, Rob Jones and Garyn Smith also crashing over as they secured two bonus points. Jaydan Pugh and Joel Raikes kicked a conversion each.
But those efforts could not prevent a third straight league loss for Ponty ahead of their Premiership Cup showdown with Cross Keys at the Principality Stadium on Saturday,
Neath came from 17-0 down to secure a 43-34 victory over Llangennech at The Gnoll. Lock Matthew Davies (2), full-back Iestyn Morgan, wing Rhodri Wall, prop Mason Morgan and hooker Josh Clark scored the Neath tries with outside half Steff Williams converting five and adding a penalty to go past 800 points for the club.
His opposite number Steff Marshall was in outstanding form for Llan, crossing for one of their four tries and adding conversions and two penalties. There was also an interception try for winger Callum Woolley and two late converted tries to replacement hooker Finn Thomas.
Cardiff Met were 22-19 victors at Bonymaen with the help of tries from Louis Pereira, Ryan Williams and Tom Sunray. Ross McKay kicked a conversion and a penalty while Tom Howlett also converted one.
Ystrad Rhondda edged out Newbridge 31-29 than ks to tries from Tom Stacey, Jarrad Llewellyn, Liam Wiggins and Kelly Jones. Rhys Truelove kicked three conversions and a penalty, while Lewis Williams also chipped in with a conversion.
Jason James scored twice as Bargoed were victorious 29-21 at the home of Premiership Cup finalists Cross Keys. Morgan Edwards and Jake Hillman also scored with Josh Prosser kicking three conversions and a penalty.
Connah Hughes, Louis Pullen and Corey Nicholls scored for Keys, all converted by Adam Tetley.