Three of the Super Rygbi Cymru clubs got their first taste of action at the weekend as their pre-season programmes ahead of the third season of the 10 team tournament gets underway.
While defending champions Llandovery joined runners-up Ebbw Vale, Cardiff, Carmarthen Quins, Swansea, RGC and Bridgend in waiting another week before taking the field, Newport, Pontypool and Aberavon all got off to winning starts.
Reigning SRC Cup and Challenger Shield holders Newport were given a tough start at Bedwas where last season’s Championship East league and Championship Cup winners led at the 65th minute mark.
It took two late tries from Wales U19 wing Noah Morgan and Joe Peard to earn the Black & Ambers a 31-21 win in the end. Tom Hoppe gave Newport an early lead with the first of their five tries, but Bedwas led 14-7 at the break and increased their lead to 21-7 with a third try early in the second half.
Carwyn Penny crashed over for a Newport score at the start of the second half before Dragons Academy wing Theo McKenrow sped in for a try that Will Ford converted to cut the gap to two points.
Then came the final salvo from the visitors to end up on the right side of the scoreboard. They head to Guernsey for their second friendly on 15 August before rounding off their pre-season campaign with another tough trip to Premiership side Beddau.
New signing Luke Yendle got some game time at the Bridge Field for Newport. The former Wales U18 and Dragons tight head has joined after his contract at Rodney Parade ran out.
Pontypool had a hat-trick of tries from full back Carrick McDonough to thank for in their 43-14 win at Premiership side Ystrad Rhondda in their first work out of the summer. The two teams had met in the 2023 Championship Cup final at Principality Stadium.
As well as the three tries from the speedy McDonough there were two for new back row man Ben Williams, who has joined from the Scarlets, and others from prop Scott Crewe and experienced centre Pat Lewis.
Pooler open their campaign against Llandovery at Pontypool Park on 12 September and will have two more chances to hone their skills before then with a visit to Newbridge on Saturday and then a home clash with English National League 2 West team Cinderford on 22 August.
Aberavon kicked-off their round of four training nights with local clubs at Aberavon Green Stars last Thursday and then launched their 150th anniversary season with a 43-40 home win over another English National League 2 West outfit, Clifton.
Jon Callard’s RGC side will launch their pre-season friendlies at Chester on Saturday before taking on Leeds Tykes and Coventry. Former Sale Sharks flanker Huw Davies has returned to his former club after three years in Manchester to bolster their resources.
Swansea will face Plymouth Albion at Morriston RFC on Saturday 15 August (5pm) and then head to London to face Richmond. They open their SRC account at Ebbw Vale on 12 September.
This weekend Cardiff host St Alban’s at the Arms Park and Carmarthen Quins head west to face Tenby United.