Swansea RFC

CUSHION’ LATE TRY SEALS BOUNUS POINT WIN FOR THE IRONMEN

SWANSEA 15 MERTHYR 32 (St Helens Swansea)

After several weeks off due to covid the Ironmen were back in action as they travelled to St Helens Swansea home of the “All Whites” for their indigo premiership league fixture and came away with a bonus point win thanks to a late try from replacement wing man Jarrod Cushion. Merthyr fell behind early as they failed to clear the ball from the kick-off and gave away an early penalty. Swansea outside half James Davies kicked deep into the far corner and from the attacking lineout the Swansea pack drove over with prop Tom Slone claiming the try. Merthyr then hit straight back when like the Swansea score Merthyr drove over a lineout deep inside the Swansea 25 with hooker Rhys Williams claiming the try, outside half Thompson converted to give Merthyr a 5-7 lead. The Merthyr back line looked dangerous with ball in hand a sweeping move just over the halfway line saw full back Ben Jones race way to touch down only for the referee to award a forward pass. It was Swansea that then took the lead when a drive near the Merthyr line saw back Rowman Fox crash over to give Swansea a 10-7 lead. Merthyr then came back at Swansea once again and a passing move in mid field saw wing man Alex Webber race in for a try under the posts, but once again the Referee disallowed the move for crossing in mid-field. Merthyr did manage to get the lead back when scrum half Justin James raced away from a scum to score wide out. The remainder of the half was errors by both sides due to the heavy muddy conditions under foot. Merthyr then took the game to Swansea early in the second half as they piled the pressure on the Swansea scrum and when Swansea 8 collapsed a drive and gave away the penalty Thompson made no mistake as he slotted over the 3 points to extend the lead 10-15. It was now all Merthyr and from a penalty deep inside the Swansea 25 Thompson kick deep into the corner and from the lineout Hooker Williams claimed his second try, Thompson converted to give Merthyr a 10-22 lead. Both sides then began to throw the ball about, but Merthyr were always in control, and it was Thompson that extended the lead further with his second penalty and give the ironmen a 10-25 lead. However, credit to Swansea they didn’t give in, and this was rewarded when Kieron Giles raced over wide out for the try. Swansea then threw everything at Merthyr looking to close the gap, but the Merthyr defence held firm. Back Rowman Tom Daley looked to have sealed the bonus point win for Merthyr as he took an inside pass on the halfway line to race clear, but once again the pass was adjudged forward, and the chance had gone. As time began to run out Swansea threw everything at Merthyr as they attacked deep inside the Merthyr 25 but when they spilled the ball it was moved wide and found replacement wing Jarrod Cushion in space who showed his pace as he raced away 75 meters to score one of the best individual tries seen at St Helens for many seasons’ Thompson converted and the ironmen had run out worthy winners 15-32. This was a fine away win for the ironmen although a little rusty at times who were always in control of the game and were well led by captain Craig Locke who also had good forward displays from Tom Daley and hooker Rhys Williams. Behind the scrum outside half Thompson always dictated play and it was good to see centre Aaron Pinches back in action. This weekend on the eve of the Ireland v Wales International the ironmen make the long journey north to play RGC 1404 for an early kick off.

MERTHYR:15 B JONES,14 S JONES,13 R DAVIES,12 A PINCHES,11 A WEBBER, 10 G THOMPSON,9 J JAMES, 1 C LEWIS,2 R WILLIAMS,3 K WILLIAMS, 4 C LOCKE©, 5 S O’ROUKE, 6 M TUTAIA, 7 D STONELAKE, 8 T DALEY. 16 C GREENSSLADE, 17 C PHILLIPS, 18 O REES, 19 P McBRIDE, 20 J GOUGH, 21 J SOANES, 22 G DAVIES, 23 J CUSHION.
Scorers: R Williams 2t, J James 1t, J Cushion 1t, G Thompson 2p, 3 cons.

Referee: Elliot Mayor.