Pontypridd continued their fine run of form in the Principality Premiership with a 24-13 triumph at Sardis Road against mid-table Pontypool.
Hooker Huw Dowden touched down twice for the hosts, with fly half Dean Gunter scoring three penalties and converting once. The outside-half was then replaced by Lewis Williams, who got his name on the scoreboard with a penalty.
Stuttering Cardiff recorded their third loss in as many games, falling to a 28-26 defeat at the hands of Aberavon. Winger Richard Thomas, fullback Ricky Thomas and flanker Chris Davies all scored tries for the visitors, with Matt Jarvis converting twice and hitting three penalties.
Cardiff threw away two chances to both draw and win the game, scoring two late tries in the 78th and 80th minute but missing both conversions, one of which was charged down.
Second-placed Newport engineered an excellent comeback in a closely fought victory against Bedwas at the Rodney Parade. Bedwas led at half time 10-0 thanks to a Ryan Owen try, converted by full back Stewart Thomas who also scored a penalty for the away side.
But prop Gethin Robinson and winger Jamie Davies came through for the Black and Ambers, both scoring tries which were converted by outside-half Lewis Robling.
Bedwas fought back with two kicks from Thomas, but Robling’s penalty brought the final score to 17-16 in favour of the home team.
There was a try fest at the Parc-y-Scarlets, as Llanelli battered the Quins with seven touch-downs. Prop Matthew Evans and centre Nic Reynolds both grabbed doubles for the Scarlets, with Craig Hawkins, Simon Gardener and Justin James completing the try-haul.
Full back Dan Newton converted three of the tries, fly half Steve Shingler converting another. Camarthen’s winger Ryan Llewelyn scored a consolation try for the visitors but they went down 43-10.
There was a nine-try thriller at St Helens with Swansea winning 34-28 over lowly Cross Keys. Nicky Thomas raced away for two tries from the wing, while Wales’ youngest ever cap Tom Prydie also scored.
Scrum-half Rhodri Wells and second-row Connor McInerny finished the flourish for the All Whites. Prydie added three conversions and a penalty to finish with 14 points.
Sevens World Cup winner Tom Isaacs made an appearance off the bench for Swansea and had a solid game on his return from injury.
Ryan Jones scored two tries for Cross Keys, with centre Nathan Williams and wing Lee Andrew also touching down. Steffan Jones’ two penalties and a conversion weren’t enough to save Cross Keys from defeat and they were dealt a further blow as Owen Jones was forced off with a shoulder injury.
Llandovery managed their first win of the season against Glamorgan Wanderers, with the Drovers also securing a bonus point. Flanker Marc De Marigny, No8 Lloyd Phillips, wing Lee Rhys, centre Adam Warren, and his replacement Matthew Lewis all managed to get on the score sheet for Llandovery, with fly half Cerith Rhys converting three of the five tries.
Substitute Reuben Tucker got the Wanderers on the board, his try converted by outside half Thomas Marks, but it was not enough as they lost 31-7.
A mid-table match between Tonmawr and Neath finished in favour of the Welsh All Blacks, who recorded a 23-16 win at the Whitworth ground. Neath prop Anthony Lott steamrolled over the line and centre Luke Ford added a second try. Outside-half Gareth McCarthy kicked two conversions and three penalties. Warren Davies scored a consolation try from full back for the hosts.
