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 | | Saturday, 23 February, 2002, 19:12 GMT Ebbw topple Welsh All Blacks  Iestyn Thomas charges through the Neath defence Ebbw Vale 20-10 Neath Neath, riding high in the Welsh/Scottish League, came unstuck at Eugene Cross Park as Ebbw Vale thoroughly deserved their shock win. Fly-half Lee Jarvis opened the scoring early-on for the Welsh All Blacks with a typically accurate penalty. And a Patrick Horgan try, which Jarvis converted, stretched Neath's advantage. But Aaron Takarangi's score in the corner, wonderfully converted by Gareth Cull, and a penalty soon afterwards brought the scores level. The home side, with the advantage of a strong wind behind them, put Neath under immediate pressure in the second half and it was no surprise when Tyron Morris crossed to put Ebbw ahead for the first time. Cull made no mistake from the conversion to take his side clear at 17-10. Neath threw everything at Ebbw Vale for the remainder of the match, but the home defenders hardly missed a tackle as they resolutely protected their try-line. Victory was secured in the final minutes as Cull added another three points from a penalty to take his side through to the quarter-finals. Bonymaen 3-41 Newport Cup holders Newport proved too strong for Bonymaen, winning 41-3 at the Morfa Stadium.
The second period was punctuated by frequent bouts of fisticuffs, but Newport eventually imposed their class with a score by scrum-half Ofisa Tonu'u and went away to record an impressive victory. Newport refused to attend the post-match reception in protest, but subsequently changed their minds after receiving an apology from Bonymaen club officials. Blackwood 8-24 Pontypridd Pontypridd survived a stern examination to beat Blackwood at Glan-yr-Afon Park. Full-back Dean Brown scored the only touchdown of the first-half to put the home side into the lead, but the Parker Pen Shield semi-finalists hit back after the break. Wingers Nigel Simpson and Gareth Jones both collected tries, with Brett Davey - back after injury - excelling with the boot. Despite some home pressure, Lynn Howells' men held on comfortably to reach the last eight. Carmarthen Quins 3-19 Bridgend Bridgend's Aisea Havili was the try hero for his side as they staved off a shock at Carmarthen Quins.
Havili's first try came after a length-of-the field move following a good advantage played by referee Colin Saunders, and then he put the finishing touches to an excellent run by new skipper Gareth Thomas. After home fly-half Giles Thomas missed a couple of penalties after the interval, Havili completed his hat-trick with a 40-metre burst to complete a move initiated by Huw Harries. Narberth 15-19 Caerphilly Premiership strugglers Caerphilly narrowly avoided an embarrassing defeat against Division Two leaders Narberth thanks to a late Ben Watkins try. The away side got the crucial early try to settle any nerves as centre John Colderley burst through the Narberth defence. Luke Richards converted. But Alan Reynolds hit back for Narberth to cut the deficit down to just two points after the first half. Caerphilly stretched their lead with another try after the break, but Narberth refused to lie down and delighted the vociferous home crowd with Chris McDonald try. Simon Daniel added the extra points and a penalty soon afterwards put his side ahead for the first time at 15-12. But Narberth were denied a famous win when Watkins crossed for Caerphilly. Newbridge 5-24 Llanelli
The Scarlets dominated possession throughout, but they only had a Gareth Bowen penalty to show for their superiority after the first half. Two overlapping tries by Garan Evans and Wayne Procter eventually made the game safe, but Andrew Green scored a consolation try for Newbridge as Llanelli let their concentration levels slip. Replacement Gareth Williams, and a third successful conversion from Bowen, wrapped up the scoring. Principality Cup, seventh round Friday 22 February Saturday 23 February Quarter-final draw: Cardiff v Newport Matches played to be played on weekend of March 29/30/31. | |
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