Swansea threw down the gauntlet to the chasing pack with another impressive performance in the Principality Premiership on Saturday with a commanding 53-19 rout of Llanelli at St Helen’s. Richard Webster’s league leaders ran out convincing victors, racing over for seven tries where full-back Nicky Thomas and young tom Prydie stood out with a hat-trick and brace respectively. Further tries come via Chris Shelmerdine and Gareth Owen, who also added two penalties and six conversions.
A beaming Webster, said: “The backs at the moment are firing on all cylinders, so if we can keep giving the likes of Nicky Thomas and Tom Prydie ball, who knows what can happen?”
Aberavon turned up the heat in the second half to rack up 30 points without reply to crush Bedwas 44-18. The visitors gave a good account of themselves in the first spell with Gethin Worgan’s boot and Nathan Hill and Lee Pearson touchdowns giving them a 9-18 lead but despite being hit by injuries, the Wizards were magical in the second half to completely dominate proceedings. Jamie Davies’s boot and tries by Chris Morgans (2), Luke Hathaway (2) and Marc Bennett put the issue beyond doubt.
Neath made hard work of disposing of lowly Pontypool. The Welsh All Blacks made 12 changes to their squad from the side that triumphed 25-22 the previous week at Carmarthen Quins. Pooler led 17-12 at the break and if it wasn’t for the wise old heads like Steve Tandy and Arwel Thomas, Neath may have been looking at a shock defeat. Kristian Phillips looks to be regaining his sharpness and he sped over for two tries to take his tally to four in two games. The introduction of Thomas from the bench in the 62nd minute seemed to wake Neath from their slumber and his scoring pass to Tandy put Neath 20-17 in front. A penalty try and touchdowns by replacement scrum-half Kevin Farrell and Phillips then eased Neath clear.
Llandovery just edged out Carmarthen 24-23 while on Friday evening Pontypridd won 28-3 at Ebbw Vale and Glamorgan Wanderers defeated Newport 25-19.
