Newport RFC

IRONMEN BLOW TITLE RACE WIDE OPEN

NEWPORT 22 MERTHYR 34 (Thursday 7^th April at the Newport Stadium)

Merthyr dented Newport’s hopes of becoming Indigo Premiership League Champions as they ran in four tries in this live S4C televised game. Both sides took a while to settle as they battled to open the scoring, and it was Merthyr that struck first, scoring when  ex Newport Centre Tom Pascoe intercepted a Newport move just over the half way line and sprinted up field only to brought down five metres short, with wing Adam Hoskins was on hand to pick up the ball and crash over under the posts, outside half Gareth Thompson converted and the Ironmen led 0-7.

Newport then sprang into action and with several good forward drives line, Merthyr gave away a penalty which home outside half Matt O’Brian slotted over. This seemed to lift Newport and O’Brian who looked dangerous all night began to move the ball quickly along his backs and this paid off when centre Cameron Lewis broke the Merthyr defence to race over, O’Brian converted, and Newport had taken the lead 10-7.

However, this was short lived as the Ironmen hit straight back when Thompson kick a penalty deep inside the Newport 25. From the lineout the Merthyr forwards drove towards the Newport line and when they fell short scrum half Soanes moved the ball wide which found Hoskins in space who dived over in the corner to claim his second try, Thompson converted to give the Ironmen a 10-14 lead.

Merthyr began to take control in the forward battle with Newport giving away several penalties. Just before half time a forward drive inside the Newport 25 by blindside flanker Massa Tutaia found captain Craig Locke up in support to crash over under the posts, Thompson converted to give Merthyr a 10-21 half time lead.

Merthyr extended their lead early in the second half when Thompson slotted over a penalty following a high tackle from a Newport forward. Newport needed to score next to close the gap and this came after Merthyr gave away several penalties that gave Newport good attacking positions and it was wing Matthew Powell who closed the gap for the home side after good work from the Newport backs, O’Brian went wide with the kick.

With the game now evenly balanced at 17-24 the next score was important to both sides, and it was the Ironmen that extended their lead once again when a break from replacement scrum half Carl Blacker near the touch line found wing man Ashley Norton in space who race in for the fourth try and bonus point, Thompson converted to give Merthyr a winning lead 17-31.

Newport then threw everything at Merthyr looking for a score but great defence keeping them out. Thompson then made the game even safer for the Ironmen when he kicked a 40-meter penalty to bring the score 17-34. Newport did manage a consolation try late in the game when Lewis crossed for his second try, but this was all to late for the home side as the Ironmen ran out worthy winners 22-34.

In a much-improved performance from the Ironmen captain Locke lead his side from the front well supported by his forwards and mention to young prop Rhys Lewis who held his own all evening against much experienced forwards, behind the scrum Thompson lead his backs and kicked intelligently all evening and mention to wingman Adam Hoskins who has found a new lease of life on the wing has he has touch down 3 times in 2 games.

All at Merthyr wish prop Chris Phillips a swift recovery following his shoulder injury. Merthyr still may have a say who wins the title has they have to play fellow title contenders, Cardiff, and Aberavon.

MERTHYR: 15 A Webber, 14 A Norton, 13 A Pinches, 12 T Pascoe, 11 A Hoskins, 10 G Thompson, 9 J Soanes, 1 C Lewis, 2 R Williams, 3 R Lewis, 4 C Bradbury, 5 C Locke, 6 M Tutaia, 7 J Perkins, 8 T Daley, 16 C Greenslade, 17 C Phillips, 18 O Rees, 19 L McIntosh, 20 J Gough, 21 C Blacker, 22 J Cushion, 23 R Davies.

Scorers, A Hoskins2t, C Locke 1t, A Norton1t, G Thompson 4cons, 2 pens.

Referee, Elfyn-Morris-Roberts.