PREMIERSHIP EAST ROUND UP – 27/08/17
The Principality Premiership in its new format got underway on the weekend of 26th August, split into east and west conferences.
Reigning champions Merthyr got off to the perfect start with a five try bonus point home win over Cross Keys, but in a close fought battle by 31pts to 29. The Gwent visitors themselves claimed two bonus points – losing and try scoring.
Bedwas also hit the ground running with a bonus point away win at Pontypridd by 27pts to 39 whilst Ebbw Vale battled their way to a 20pt to 24 victory at Bargoed.
On Sunday afternoon Cardiff travelled to Newport and secured a 19pts to 31 bonus point win with Blue and Black winger James Beale crossing for a hat-trick of tries.
Merthyr, Bedwas and Cardiff top the Premiership East table with full points whilst Newport and Pontypridd remain pointless at the bottom.
Premiership East – 27/08/17
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | BP | Pts | |
| 1 | Bedwas | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 27 | 1 | 5 |
| 2 | Cardiff | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 19 | 1 | 5 |
| 3 | Merthyr | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 29 | 1 | 5 |
| 4 | Ebbw Vale | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 20 | 0 | 4 |
| 5 | Cross Keys | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 29 | 31 | 2 | 2 |
| 6 | Bargoed | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 24 | 1 | 1 |
| 7 | Pontypridd | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 27 | 39 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Newport | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 31 | 0 | 0 |
