Dragons RFC hooker Sam Scarfe grabbed a try as Pontypool RFC overcame RGC 21-10 in the Super Rygbi Cymru Cup opener – a result that saw them end their seven-game losing streak.
After Pooler and Dragons outside half Harri Ford and opposite number Dion Jones had traded early penalties, Pooler scored first half tries through No 8 Morgan Allen and hooker Scarfe to lead 15-3 at half time. Ford converted Scarfe’s score.
Ford’s penalty nudged Pooler further in front before RGC hit back through Gareth Parry’s try on 66 minutes, converted by Billy McBryde to cut Pooler’s lead to 18-10.
The home side were then hit with another blow on 70 minutes when captain Scott Matthews was shown a red card. But it didn’t prove costly for Pooler – with Ford’s third penalty wrapping up their first competitive win since October 18.
Next up for Pontypool is an all-Gwent cup clash with Newport RFC on Thursday evening.
A second half hat-trick from wing Fin Baker inspired a 40-12 comeback victory for Newport at Carmarthen Quins in their Super Rygbi Cymru Cup opener.
Quins led 12-0 at half time courtesy of two early tries, scored by prop Sam O’Connor, converted by Ifan Davies, and wing Thomas Williams.
Newport finally registered their first score five minutes after the break, through Baker, and on 49 minutes they were ahead when lock Morgan Burgess found a gap in the defence to score. Jac Lloyd converted both.
Baker grabbed his second and third tries on 52 and 65 minutes respectively, again improved by Lloyd, who also added the extras to Tiehi Chatham’s first Newport try on 74 minutes following a great team move, to make it 35-12.
Lloyd then scored a sixth Newport try himself, but narrowly missed with the conversion, as the Black & Ambers opened their cup campaign with maximum points.
Head coach Ty Morris praised the impact of a number of Dragons Academy players in the fixture.
“Strong performances came from young Dragons Academy players Noah Morgan, Joe Salter and Teihi Chatham. Teihi, in particular, had an outstanding game and really imposed himself physically on Carmarthen,” he said.
Meanwhile, league leaders Ebbw Vale suffered a 37-19 defeat to Cardiff at Cardiff Arms Park.
First half Cardiff tries from Alun Rees, Evan Rees and Elijah Evans were followed up by second half scores from Dewi Cross, Joe Childchild and Gwilym Bradley for the Blue & Blacks as the Steelmen were defeated.
It secured a fourth straight win in SRC for Dan Fish’s side who, in securing it, also avenged their heavy 60-20 defeat at the hands of Ebbw Vale in the reverse fixture at Eugene Cross Park back in September.
