SWALEC Bowl round up

The SWALEC Bowl kicked-off this weekend and Division Six Central side Caerau Ely were the round one giantkillers. St Albans, of Division Five South East, saw 13 of their side struck down by illness and Caerau took full advantage, smashing their opponents 38-0.

Dowlais, of Division Four South West, were made to work hard for victory against Ynysowen, who sit two tiers below them, eventually squeezing home, 22-12.

The two-division gap was evident at Crumlin, where the hosts ruthlessly dispatched of Aberbargoed, 96-13. Prop Nathan Curtis was the stand-out performer for Crumlin, scoring two of their 13 tries, while no 8 Mike Shallish recorded his first score for more than two years.

It was a similar story at Monmouth, as they hammered Forgeside 97-0, and at Blaengarw, where visitors Baglan won 64-5.

Division Four East outfit Machen were too strong for their Division Six rivals Abertysswg. Two tries for Dan Willott and one-apiece for Alex Curl and Kane Thomas saw the home side to a 40-3 win.

Newtown edged a thriller at Division Two North rivals Welshpool, winning 27-24, while Old Penarthians made hard work of beating local rivals Cardiff Saracens, 17-0.

Elsewhere, there were impressive wins for Bryncethin, Hendy, Maesteg Celtic and Risca. But Pontyclun, who beat Ferndale 30-19, and Llanhilleth, who edged out Pontllanfraith, 26-12, were made to sweat for their place in the second round.