Study pays off!

Jan 9 2005 Wales on Sunday

IN the last remaining Konica Minolta Third Round cup-tie, the students of UWIC won through to play at Cross Keys in the next round on January 22.

On a muddy Riverside Park pitch, UWIC led throughout to defeat near-neighbours Rumney 31-22, though both sides ran in four tries.

Full-back Richard Whyffin and centre George Dixon both collected a brace of tries for UWIC, with fly-half Phil Dolman kicking 11 points, while Andrew Gardner (2), Matt McLean and George Campbell crossed for Rumney, and Wales Under-18 cap Gareth Williams-Davies kicked a conversion and penalty.

Llantwit Fardre's 36-7 upset win away to Newport Saracens saw the latter caught at the top of Division Two by Ystrad Rhondda, who won 27-13 at Llantrisant.

The Black Army could not hold Ystrad, who ran in tries by Matt Parkes, Peter Hinklin, Dean Berry and Gavin Owen, while coach David Lloyd kicked seven points.

Merthyr scored a much-needed 28-12 win over Tredegar as they came from behind to snatch tries by Grant Davies, Rob Downes, Gethin Thomas and Gareth Davies, while Dan Morris and Lee Edwards crossed for the losers.

Scrum-half Andy Campbell notched the only try of the match as Treherbert defeated Hirwaun by 14-9.

Bargoed remained unbeaten in Division Three after a 14-3 win at Old Illtydians with tries by Darren Humphries and Jamie Howells, while Pill thrashed Dinas Powys 60-3 with 11 tries, including three by prop Mark Jones.

Blaina's 24-19 win over Tredegar Ironsides included two tries from No 8 Nicky Coughlin, and Justin Pinch notched two with one each by Matthew Chard, Andy McLauchlan and Gareth Richards in defeating Llanishen 31-17. Richards also kicked three conversions. Llanishen scored three tries but it wasn't enough.

Four Darren Preece penalties took Pontypool Utd to a 12-6 win over Talywain as Scott Bessant notched the points for the losers.

Chepstow gained an 18-3 win at Llanhilleth in Division Four with tries by Dan Thorne, Darren Daley and debutant wing Mark Howarth and a penalty by Mark Roberts, against a try by Dean Meredith converted by Gareth Morgan.

Pontllanfraith amazed by smashing Oakdale 50-10. Former Youth cap Julian Vernall grabbed the honours, notching 30 points with eight goals and two tries.