Despite it being a weekend where the Rugby World Cup resumed with several shock results and commanding performances, we saw some great rugby from our Scimitar teams across the leagues.
At Sardis Road in the Indigo Premiership, Llandovery travelled to face Pontypridd for the second consecutive Scimitar derby. Llandovery, unbeaten in the league so far, demonstrated their skill this year with first-half tries from Loan Hughes and Adam Warren to get the Drovers off the mark. Heading towards halftime, Ponty had opportunities with Joe Miles making a break in the midfield, but it just didn’t quite go their way.
Llandovery extended their lead early in the second half, scoring off the back of a rolling maul. Despite the Drovers’ adding to their significant league, Ponty improved drastically, breaking Llandovery’s defence twice with McCauley Rowley and Ryan Wilkins scoring. It all proved in vain, with Llandovery running out 24-12 victors.
Pontypridd will now set their sights on using the Welsh Premiership Cup next weekend to see an upturn in results, as they welcome Merthyr to Sardis Road. Llandovery will face last year’s league runners-up Cardiff RFC at home.
Elsewhere, Ebbw Vale were looking to upset last season’s league runners-up Cardiff at Arms Park. The Steelmen took the game to Cardiff from the off, scoring from a lineout after a penalty was awarded to them in the match’s opening minutes. Leun Morris added Ebbw Vales third try of the game after another strong maul, set up by a lineout. Cardiff however, reduced the lead to eight points with Alun Rees opening their scoring.
Both teams added to their points tally in the second half, but it finished with the Steelmen 36-20. Ebbw Vale will face Neath away in their upcoming fixture in the Welsh Premiership Cup at The Lextan Gnoll.
Rotherham Titans maintained their undefeated streak in the National League 2 North Division, beating Lymm 33-10 at Clifton Lane. The Titans currently sit second in the league, maintaining their one point difference to top side Leeds Tykes. A lot of history there between those two sides! Next up, the Titans face mid-table Huddersfield RUFC at home, as they look to maintain their promotion push.
Worcester returned to winning ways this weekend in a high scoring game, as they overcome Berkswell & Balsall 45-34. The morale-boosting win meant that Worcester moved up to 9th in the Regional 2 West Midlands Division. It’s another Scimitar derby next week as Worcester travel to face county neighbours Hereford at Wyeside.
Talking about Hereford, Worcester’s victory narrowed the points difference to just 4 from the 5th placed side. In a closely contested match, Hereford faced Silhillians this weekend, being beaten narrowly with the game ending Hereford 22–24 Silhillians.
Heading south towards Coventry, Barkers Butts faced Coalville in the Counties 2 Midlands West (East) Midlands Division, where they were narrowly beaten by a lively Coalville side. Despite the loss, Barkers Butts remain third in the division, three points behind league leaders Veseyans. Butts will face Walsall’s second XV at home on Saturday, who have amassed just 5 points from their opening three games.
It was a similar story for Woodrush elsewhere in the Counties 2 Midlands West (East), as they were beaten 20-18 away at Birmingham & Solihull – the side that was beaten 65-0 by Barkers Butts last weekend. Woodrush currently sit in the middle of the table with a total of 6 points, however, they will look to extend their tally as they prepare to face Coventry Welsh this weekend at home.
Chipstead’s season opener took place this weekend, which saw them beat Warlingham at home 21-8. Their first away trip of the sees them take a short 9-mile trip across Surrey to take on Old Freemens this Saturday.
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