SRC: Newport, Ebbw and Cardiff extend winning starts
Newport flanker Hunter Ward played in Super Rugby for Waratahs
- Published
Newport, Ebbw Vale and Cardiff are setting the pace in Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC) after each made it three wins from three.
The trio, who were all semi-finalists in 2025-26, continued their strong starts to the season with home successes.
Cardiff and Newport cruised to wins against Pontypool and Aberavon respectively on Friday before the Steelmen sneaked past Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC) 33-31 on Saturday.
Ebbw Vale failed to get two bonuses for the first time this season, meaning that the Black and Ambers take over as early leaders.
Champions Llandovery edged out Bridgend at the Brewery Field for a first victory of the season and Carmarthen Quins beat Swansea.
It looked as if Ebbw Vale would have a routine afternoon when they led 28-3 thanks to tries by centre Ethan Phillips, loose-head prop Luke Garrett, number eight Ryan Jenkins and full-back Morgan Rees.
But back-row forward Huw Davies cut the gap to 28-10 at half-time and the north Walians led in the closing stages thanks to further tries by number eight Sam Williams (2) and scrum-half Tudor Jones.
RGC were denied a famous win with two minutes to go when wing Dafydd Thomas went over, leaving the visitors to settle for two bonus points.
Cardiff and Newport both ran amok in Friday night fixtures, going over for seven and 11 tries respectively.
The Blue and Blacks demolished Pontypool 43-5 at the Arms Park and had their four-try bonus inside the first quarter.
All of their points came before half-time with loose-head prop Ioan Emanuel (2), wing Joe Goodchild, hooker Tom Howe, tight-head prop Tom Harper, blind-side flanker Gethyn Cannon and fly-half Ben Coomer scoring for Cardiff.
Number eight Ben Williams got the only effort by Pooler, who have shipped 134 points in their opening three fixtures.
A winning record will be lost when Cardiff travel to Ebbw Vale in round four.
Newport also secured a six-point haul by easing to a 73-33 home success against Aberavon when defending the SRC Challenger Shield.
The Wizards were in touch when trailing 31-19 at half-time but, like the previous week against Ebbw Vale, endured a tough second half.
Hunter Ward was Newport captain in the absence of Ben Roach and the former Waratahs flanker set the tone with a powerful finish in the fourth minute.
He went on to score a double along with hooker Wade Langley while flanker Josh Reid, lock Ethan Phillips, fly-half Carwyn Penny, wings Brogan Leary and Fin Baker, scrum-half Dafydd Buckland and centre Joe Westwood also crossed.
Aberavon did at least leave Newport with something after scoring five tries through centre Garyn Smith, wings Felix Gilbert and Frankie Jones, scrum-half Scott Whitlock and flanker Elis Cox.
Llandovery, after losing in Pontypool and to Newport at Church Bank, held on to beat Bridgend 29-26.
The Ravens threatened a comeback with a late penalty try and an Edd Howley score but had to settle for two bonus points.
Carmarthen won for the first time this season to leave Swansea at the bottom of the table. The Quins trailed 29-12 at half-time, but fought back for a 43-35 success.
