Super Rygbi Cymru: Ebbw Vale go above Llandovery
Evan Rees on the charge for Cardiff in their win against Llandovery
- Published
Ebbw Vale regained top spot in Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC) by beating Swansea while previous pace-setters Llandovery fell to defeat at Cardiff.
The Drovers started the afternoon with a one-point lead over the Steelmen but went down 37-28 in the capital.
Cardiff led 22-14 at half-time thanks to tries by centre Osian Darwin-Lewis, tight-head prop Tom Harper and hooker Alun Rees on his 100th appearance for the club.
Centre Stef Emanuel went over for the bonus point as the Blue and Blacks, who finished first in 2024-25, enjoyed their most impressive win of the season.
Promising Scarlets back-row forward Tiaan Sparrow ensured it wasn't a pointless trip to the Arms Park for Llandovery by following centre Adam Warren and wings Tomi Lewis and Kian Abraham over to earn a four-try bonus.
Ebbw Vale bounced back from a first loss of the season by beating Swansea 28-0 at Eugene Cross Park, with Ieuan Morris filling his boots.
The hooker went over four times in the first half as the Steelmen produced a strong reaction in challenging conditions to their painful Gwent derby defeat to Newport.
It was a scoreless second-half as Jason Strange's men defended the SRC Challenger Shield and earned a four-point lead over the Drovers.
Champions Newport backed up their win over Ebbw Vale by beating Bridgend 40-29 at the Brewery Field.
The Black and Ambers ran in six tries through centre Matt O'Brien, hooker Wade Langley, wing Fin Baker, scrum-half Che Hope, centre Jon Morris and wing Noah Morgan.
Bridgend went over five times through wing Ben Evans (2), full-back Lloyd Wilkins, centre Joe Gatt and prop Jared Williams.
Carmarthen Quins enjoyed a 19-10 win against Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC).
Hooker Isaac Young and number eight Lewys Millin went over to earn a 14-3 lead at the break.
Number eight Sam Williams gave RGC hope with a try but full-back Iori Badham sealed the win for the hosts.
Aberavon pipped Pontypool 27-24 on Thursday evening thanks to Keillen Cullen's penalty at the death.
Both sides scored try bonuses but Cullen held his nerve with the last kick to seal a fightback win after Pooler had led 19-7 at the break.