Prolific young Wales international scores another hat-trick to turn heads

The Wales U18 player is making a big impression at Cardiff in Super Rygbi Cymru

Wing Tom Bowen was on the treble trail once again as Cardiff RFC returned to the top of Super Rygbi Cymru by giving Swansea six of the best in their 38-29 victory at St Helen’s.

Wales U18 international Bowen bagged himself another hat-trick to go alongside the one he got at RGC on the opening weekend to inspire the Blue and Blacks – who had to come from behind in both halves.

Bowen is impressing people behind the scenes and is tipped for a very bright future. He previously left the Cardiff development pathway to attend Clifton College in conjunction Bristol Bears, but returned to the Welsh capital this summer. He will largely feature for the club side in Super Rygbi Cymru this season but more performances like this will likely see him push for inclusion with the Welsh region in the URC.

In terms of the match, Josh Phillips kicked an early penalty for Swansea and then converted scrum-half Luke Davies’ try after 17 minutes to put the hosts 10-0 to the good.

But Cardiff responded with their own number nine Ethan Lloyd going over after good work from centre Steffan Emanuel in the build-up and then Bowen grabbed his first of the match. Harri Wilde added the extras to both tries to nudge Cardiff in front 14-10 at the pause.

Swansea then shot out of the blocks after the re-start and were 24-14 to the good thanks to a quickfire brace from number eight Luca Giannini, both converted by Phillips.

Then three tries in the space of six minutes turned the game in the visitors’ favour, with Bowen grabbing his second on 55 minutes and then setting up back rower Benji Williams to score their bonus-point try three minutes later. Wilde converted the latter to put Cardiff back in front.

That lead extended further on 61 when Emanuel intercepted and ran in try number five, Wilde converting, before Bowen once again showed his speed on the outside to complete his hat trick.

Swansea bagged themselves a late bonus point with their fourth try scored by Brandon Wood.

This result for Cardiff, their fourth win from five, takes them back above Newport who, now four points back, drop to third - but do have a game in hand.

Ebbw Vale, meanwhile, move up into second after their late show to come from behind to beat RGC 31-16 at Eugene Cross Park to take all six points on offer.

It also made it four wins from five and marked a successful first defence of the SRC Challenge Shield for Ebbw.

The Steelmen were trailing 16-10 against the Gogs until a penalty try and scores by Ieuan Evans and Jon Evans – his second of the match – sealed the deal for the Steelmen.

RGC had gone into a 13-0 lead in the first half through a Sam Stoddart try, Billy McBryde conversion and two huge penalty goals from inside his own half from Sam Earl-Jones.

Jon Evans’ first try, converted by Evan Lloyd, pulled the score back to 13-7 at the break. McBryde and Lloyd exchanged penalties before Ebbw’s flurry.

Lloyd – who landed a match winning kick at Llandovery the week before to snatch the SRC Shield from the Drovers’ grasp – finished with nine points.

Elsewhere Bridgend made it three consecutive wins as they left Aberavon with five points following a narrow 29-28 victory.

But it was so very nearly only two with the hosts snatching defeat from the jaws of victory with a missed conversion to Cori Lewis-Jenkins’ late try that had pulled them back to within one point.

After Ben Burnell’s early penalty for Bridgend, the Wizards then held the lead thanks to Lewis-Jenkins’ first try converted by Ed Dunford.

The Ravens would go into the break 17-7 ahead thanks to tries from Edd Howley and then Alfie Llewellyn, both converted by Burnell.

Dunford kicked two penalties after the re-start and then converted a Luke Davies try as Aberavon hit the front again 20-17.

Back came Bridgend with Corey Lewis, converted by Burnell, going over and then Howley grabbing his second to put the visitors 29-20 up.

Dunford sent over another penalty on 76 to pull Aberavon back to within one converted score of victory but, when Lewis-Jenkins’ try looked to have put them in a seemingly winning position, the conversion this time was missed and Bridgend celebrated.

Carmarthen Quins bounced back from their 50-0 defeat at the hands of Cardiff by running out 41-31 victors from an entertaining clash at home against Pontypool.

Hooker Lewis Morgan currently sits at the top of the league’s top scorers table and he took his tally so far to seven with two more here against Pooler.

Rhodri Davies, Eilir George, Jac Howells and Rhys Fawcett were also on the scoresheet for the Quins. Aled Thomas kicked four conversions and a penalty.

For Pooler, this was their first defeat since Tom Hancock’s permanent appointment as head coach.

Scrum-half Morgan Lloyd was at the double for Pooler with Marcus Jones and Scott Matthews their other try scorers. Kieran Meek kicked 11 points.