Super Rygbi Cymru is back! Following last season’s success, including a Newport-Ebbw Vale final, all three Gwent sides are back and looking for further silverware.
Ebbw Vale may have lost in both last season’s cup and league finals but they did win one trophy, holding the shield from their win away at Llandovery in October, all the way to the end of the regular season.
The Steelers had the perfect start to their shield defence on Saturday as they took all six points from their home clash v Aberavon in a 36-17 win.
Tries for wingers Dafydd Thomas and Evan Bowden, plus scores for Morgan Richards, Curtis Gregory and a penalty try helped Ebbw to victory, along with nine points off the boot of fly-half Evan Lloyd.
Ebbw weren’t the only Gwent side to taste victory on Saturday as Pontypool were also winners on home soil.
In showery conditions, Pooler scored three tries and secured a 25-13 win against Swansea at Pontypool Park.
Scrum-half Rhodri Cole, number eight Morgan Allen and Wales Under 20s squad member Evan Wood all crossed for tries, meanwhile there were also 10 points from the boot of fly-half Kieran Meek.
Pontypool finished fifth in the league last season, losing to Llandovery in the play-offs and will be keen to make the top four this season with a host of exciting new signings.
Reigning champions Newport meanwhile suffered defeat in the opening game of the SRC on Friday night as they fell to a defeat to previous winners Llandovery.
Despite a positive first half an hour with tries from Fin Baker and Josh Skinner, Newport were unable to maintain their first-half lead with the Drovers coming back in the second half to win 27-20 at the Newport Stadium.
The Black and Ambers fought hard to the death however, with Barney Nightingale grabbing a try deep in time added on to secure his side a losing bonus point.
All three teams' next games are on Saturday with 2:30pm kick-offs.
Next up for Newport is a trip to Aberavon, with Ebbw Vale heading to the Brewery Field, while Pontypool host RGC at Pontypool Park.
