Bargoed welcomed old rivals Narberth to Bargoed Park for a National Championship fixture, for the first time in a couple of years.
There has been great rivalry and a great relationship off the field between these clubs over many years of Championship rugby.
Bargoed started well and took the lead with a Steffan Jones penalty after 5 minutes. They increased their lead shortly after as they stole a Narberth line-out and drove over from 20 yards out with Ronnie Kynes scoring the try and Jones converting to make it 10-0.
Bargoed looked in control and continued to pressurise Narberth, but poor discipline saw ‘piggy back’ penalties awarded and Narberth all of a sudden had the ascendancy.
Bargoed hooker Wade Langley was yellow carded on 37 minutes and Nick Gale kicked the penalty to make it 10-3. The visitors continued to press and kicked another penalty to make it 10-6 at half time.
The second half saw Bargoed grasp the nettle and after a good build up, scrum half James Leadbeater went over with Jones converting to make it 17-6.
Ronnie Kynes got his second try shortly after through another driving line-out, converted by Josh Prosser and the home side were 24-6 up and now looking for a precious bonus point.
They got it on 52 minutes when No. 8 Adam Powell profited from a great scrum drive to score with a pushover, converted by Jones.
Bargoed had tightened up their game and were making gains through their driving play with Matt Thomas scoring after another driving line-out, converted by Jones to make it 38-6.
In the 72nd minute, Darren Humphries split the Narberth defence to put Duane Dyer away and Jones converted again.
The final score also came from Dyer after Matt Thomas carried well, and good interplay between backs and forwards saw Dyer get his second. Jones converted to make the final score 52-6 after a great second half performance.
The game was well refereed by Jason Morris and there was some entertaining rugby from both sides.
Bargoed will look forward to the return fixture later in the season, and know how tough that assignment will be.
The Bargoed RFC Coaching Staff will reflect Saturday’s game and be pleased with a great second half, but will be concerned about the discipline and chances not taken in the first half.
There’s no doubt that this squad are grounded and know themselves that there’s plenty of work to do with a number of tough games coming up over the next few weeks.
The 1st XV remain second in the National Championship with Pontypool top, and three points in front.
