Only one East side could end up having a ball

Apr 1 2008 by Our Correspondent, South Wales Echo

WITH one tie to be played tomorrow, only Bargoed from the East have thus far qualified for the Worthington Silver Ball semi-finals, where they meet Tonmawr on Saturday, May 3 at Llanharan.

Latest winners were Aberavon Green Stars, who won their way through to the semis with a narrow 21-17 win over a battling Bedlinog side, who were losing 18-3 at the interval in the third quarter-final, played at the Dairy Field.

Oddly, both clubs were the only ones to complete their 10 qualifying games without defeat.

However, it was not really a game of halves as both sides had their moments and the try-count was level at 2-2 with Bedlinog just running out of time to catch up.

On a cold night, it was the Stars who struck immediately as a quick lineout in the third minute saw former Pontypridd, Treorchy and Wales under-21 lock Damian Adams use his bulk to charge over for a try.

Within three more minutes Bedlinog responded with a massive penalty from the boot of No 8 forward Geraint Edmonds, but the Stars were having more of the play.

Pressure led to three penalty shots by fly half Ryan Jones and though he missed after 27 minutes when his kicking tee was lost, he recovered it to kick goals after 28 and 33 minutes. Right on the interval, a charge by the Stars pack saw flanker Richard Evans go over and Jones placed the conversion for 18-3.

Skipper Carl Giles led Bedlinog back into the game, but Stars wing Adam Dawe made two fine tackles and one great run in reply.

A yellow card for Stars skipper Darren Williams saw Bedlinog surge back, but it was the Stars who scored next with a Ryan Jones penalty. Then came a bigger Bedlinog effort, led by skipper Carl Giles and after 65 minutes, replacement hooker Huw Jones crossed for a try that Edmonds converted.

With time running out, a smart run by wing Ryan Jayne saw him pass inside to Huw Jones, who again dashed over and again Edmonds converted.

However, the Stars hung on for the final minutes and will meet the winners of tomorrow’s tie between Porthcawl and Porth Quins.

Aberavon Green Stars: David Dyer; Andrew Davies, Andrew Harris, Ben Trott, Adam Dawe; Ryan Jones, Ian Jones; Neil Edwards, James Davies (Michael Short), Darren Williams (capt), Damian Adams, Rod Davies, Robbie Morgan, Scott Purnell, Richard Evans.

Bedlinog: Dean Rees; Huw Gough, Scott Giles, Chris Link, Ryan Jayne; Rhyddian Jones, Martin Luckwell; Richard Rees, Nathan Rees (Huw Jones), Rob Bisi, Peter Norris (Ian Grzelac), Lee Harrison, Alex Dummett, Geraint Edmonds, Carl Giles (capt). Referee: Mike Bethell (Treherbert).

In the Worthington Mid District Cup semi-finals, Tylorstown took on Ystrad Rhondda and next Tuesday will see Llantwit Fardre play Beddau at Mountain Ash, while in the Worthington Ben Francis Cup, Pontypool and Abertillery BG have reached the semi-final stage with Brynmawr to meet Nantyglo and Garndiffaith play Blaenavon in the other quarter-finals.

The Worthington Welsh Districts Cup final is confirmed as being held on the Millennium Stadium pitch when Bryncethin take on Cambrian Welfare on Saturday, April 12.