Athletic 2022-23

First home league game of the season saw Merthyr Ath entertain Ynysybwl, a team who last year beat Merthyr heavily.

The game started at a frantic rate and contained many errors from both teams. Merthyr conceded several penalties in the first ten minutes as they tried to contest the breakdown. 

The tenacious back row of Burrows, Thomas and Gough were at the forefront once again.

The first points went to the Bwl with a couple of long range penalties 0-6, Merthyr struggling to find any rhythm.

As the game continued Merthyr started to show glimpses of their potential. Jones and Jacobs forming a new centre partnership both enjoyed hard running and challenging the Bwl defence, with some success.

Merthyr looked most dangerous from quick ball and exploiting the space out wide. Thomas and Cottrill in the boiler house were unleashed several times in the wide channels – this proved fruitful and the the tries started to come.

Jones and Jacobs the young centre partnership both getting well deserved touch downs. A trio of Thomas’ Will, Iwan and Kieran also grabbing tries. Merthyr showed glimpses of control, composure and discipline at times that complemented their pattern. Merthyr were cruising. The Bwl fought back and enjoyed spells in the Merthyr half. They were justifiably rewarded after some lack lustre defence let them through 31-13 half time. 

The second half started similar to the first, scrappy and error ridden. Composure came from half backs Rees and Jones who both kicked astutely to ensure Merthyr remained in control. Jones on several occasions placed the Bwl back three under pressure with pin point kicking. These were well chased by enthusiastic wingers Grant and W Thomas, this resulted in key territory being gained and also some turnovers that piled the pressure on a tiring Bwl team. 

The replacements flooded on in the second half – showing the squad strength currently in place. Barnstorming bursts from Blandford were short lived as a re-accruing injury flared up. In the pack Jones, Davies Caviel and Price entered the fray up front and added much experience and steel. Bwl enjoyed extended time in the Merthyr 22. The defence stood strong with some cool calm guidance from older statesman Henessey marshalling from the back. Merthyr eventually broke into the Bwl half after some cute kicking from Jones. This resulted in another try from winger Thomas. 

Merthyr emptied the bench – young for older as Davies, Murphy and Butler took the field, the later two achieving their debut.

The game was Won. Despite this the experienced pack wanted more. Graft coming from Caviel and Price released Davies (Jackal)at the back of the ruck – Davies taken high resulted in a penalty. Quick thinking Cottrill got it going and a perfectly timed pass saw Davies (Munch) crash over out wide. 

Jones converted from out wide giving him a success rate of 4/7 for the game – many of these were from the touch line so a pleasing outcome.

Man of the Match was a difficult decision this week and took some deliberating. Jones at 10 kicked and controlled things well, Jacobs and Jones were robust and strong in the centre. Burrows produced some powerful bursts once again and Iwan Thomas and Cottrill both showed great skill sets when running in the wider channels. The decision was tight, eventual recipient was young flanker Kieran Thomas, who surely must have covered every blade of grass. He popped up in various attacking roles and provided bursts, while also proving destructive in defence. Well Deserved Award. 

The Athletic are looking for a friendly fixture for next Saturday before resuming league action against Nelson on October 1st. 

Thanks to Small Trading Solutions for their Player and Match Sponsor.