Ebbw Vale tightened their grip on the top two in Super Rygbi Cymru after coming from behind to beat Carmarthen Quins 40-20 – and still have their sights firmly set on taking top spot.
The Steelmen struggled to get a foothold in the game in the first half, with Quins leading 13-7 at half time at Eugene Cross Park and then were also leading 20-14 early in the second half.
But, inspired by a hat-trick off the bench from hooker Joe Franchi, Ebbw did finally find their stride and went on to claim six more points, which keeps them in a strong position to finish in the top two and secure a home play-off semi-final.
Jason Strange’s side trail leaders Cardiff by five points but do have a game in hand. The side that finishes the regular season in first will also have home advantage in the play-off final – should they get there.
Cardiff have two regular games left, Ebbw three. It wasn’t all plain sailing for the Steelmen against the Quins.
Hooker Lewis Morgan was on the scoresheet again for the visitors in the first half, converted by Elis Price, who also kicked two penalties.
Ieuan Morris scored in the first half for Ebbw, converted by Evan Lloyd. A trademark rolling maul try from Franchi, on as a replacement, and converted by Lloyd, nudged Ebbw in front, before centre Jac Howells scored again for the Quins, converted by Aled Thomas.
But Ebbw were in no mood to surrender their unblemished home record this season and would ultimately run out comfortable winners with a further two tries from Franchi, along with one each for Curtis Gregory and Cameron Davies. Lloyd converted three of them.
Franchi’s three tries also took him on to 14 for the season and now joint level with the Quins’ Morgan at the top of the try scorer standings.
That made it a sixth successful defence of the SRC Challenger Shield by Ebbw who, should they beat Swansea on 19 April in their last regular home league match, will keep hold of it heading into next season – with the shield not defended in the post-season play-offs.
Cardiff remain in pole position after they made it six league wins on the bounce with a 29-14 win at Bridgend. Centre Elijah Evans, wing Joe Goodchild, full-back Matty Young, scrum-half Ethan Lloyd and replacement Aled Ward all scored tries for the Blue and Blacks, with Harri Wilde kicking two conversions.
Lock James Owen and lock Cameron Ellis replied for the Ravens, both converted by Lloyd Wilkins.
Llandovery and Newport are now in the box seat to complete the top four, with both now nine points above fifth-placed Pontypool with two regular matches to play.
The Drovers bounced back from back-to-back league defeats by overcoming Aberavon 33-28 at Church Bank. Wingers Llien Morgan and Harri Doel, centre Adam Warren, skipper Lee Rees and hooker Taylor Davies scored for Llandovery, with Jack Maynard converting four of them.
Wing Corey Lewis-Jenkins scored twice late on for the Wizards, both converted by full-back Scott Delveno, to secure two bonus points to cut the gap and also deny Llandovery maximum points. Outside half Ed Dunford and centre Brad Roderick scored in the first half for Aberavon, both converted by Dunford.
Newport returned from north Wales with six points after their 41-26 victory at RGC. Wing Iestyn Galton, centre Chay Foster-Smith and outside half Jac Lloyd all bagged braces for Newport with Henry Palmer also on the scoresheet for the Black and Ambers. Lloyd added three conversions.
Wing Caio Parry and scrum-half Connor Dever scored for RGC, while Billy McBryde kicked two conversions and four penalties
Pontypool recorded a 41-31 over Swansea. Lewis Robey, Connor Chapman, Marcus Jones, Scott Matthews and Ieuan Jones all scored tries for Pooler. Kieran Meek kicked five conversions and two penalties.
Iwan Temblett, Tom Edwards, Cameron Jones and Will Austin scored for the Whites, who had gone from 10-0 down to 21-10 up.
Josh Phillips added three conversions and penalty while Tal Rees also sent over a conversion.