Athletic Friendly

Merthyr Ath v Hollybush RFC
Merthyr Athletic returned to play after a break with a visit to nearby Hollybush. Hollybush are a Division 5 East team who are performing near the top of the league. With three big league games and a cup quarterfinal left to play it is imperative Merthyr gain some momentum and form.
With several players unavailable through injury or other commitments Merthyr took the field with some different combinations. A new look backrow of Mullins, Roberts and Thomas, who played 8 for the first time this year, was selected. While Ricky Hughes was selected at 10 in the absence of injured Cai Jones. Old statesman Henessey returned to 15 where he started the year.
The game started slowly but gradually increased in tempo and intensity. Merthyr dominated early on and as a result found themselves with significant territory. The lineout looked scrappy for both teams with the evident changes causing some confusion, Merthyr seemed rushed and this cost them some quality ball. Both teams produced some glimpses of phase play only to be let down with lots of individual errors. This meant it was much of a stalemate. Pleasing for Merthyr was the fact that despite having several regular starters not available they were more than a match for this Division 5 outfit.
Against the run of play Hollybush scored a brace of tries and this left Merthyr trailing 14-0, despite this Merthyr looked like the better rugby playing team, however they were not playing Rugby and opting for an arm wrestle which suited the heavy Hollybush team. Some good individual play from Evans (13) Thomas (8) Roberts (6) and Perkins (2) ensured Merthyr continued to fight and very nearly scored just prior to the half when alert fullback, Henessey, intercepted – sadly the try-line was possibly 50m to far away, a neat grubber into the corner provided a strong position for Merthyr to attack from. Henessey was found during half-time collecting his hamstring from the ground as it fell out at the fear, he would have attempted the sprint finish.
Several changes were made at the half to provide some much-needed focus and control. This worked, the lineout started to function and the creaking scrum from the first half suddenly became dominant. Merthyr pilled on the pressure and sure enough Hollybush eventually cracked. Cheeky scrum half Rees snipped over in the corner after a Hollybush scrum was put under pressure. 14-5 and Merthyr are back in the game. Frustrations were felt by both teams as the referee offered little consistency apart from the fact that decisions were erratic.
The salmon provided better quality lineout ball that allowed Merthyr to get back into some patterns, however on to many occasions single up runners got isolated and often turned over – which allowed the bush to prevent the Merthyr come back. The game got feisty with niggling from both teams. During one feisty exchange that saw a yellow card for the Bush fullback Hughes got a knee print in his kidneys.
While the bush were short in the backs Merthyr exploited – The try of the game went to Evans (13) who after some crisp handling from the inside backs – Rees – Hughes – Jones – Henessey – Evans. The sidestep and twinkle toes to stay in field created the break. The rest was a pure sprint, luckily Evans had the wheels and went over. 14-12 after Hughes added the extra points – Game On.
Merthyr enjoyed more time in the opposition half but could not break through, Jones (12) crossed at one point only to be determined held up by the referee. Merthyr hit the self-destruct button late on after some strange and sloppy kicking applied more pressure to themselves, this inevitably resulted in a breakthrough try 21-12 with ten minutes to go.
The last of the Merthyr replacements were trickled on, Davies and Snare went on as proprs and the scrums went uncontested – someone forgot to tell the referee so a scrum on the Bush 5m line was not surprisingly turned over as Merthyr were shunted back. The referee was told soon after.
Moment of the day came towards the end when Jackal (Davies) fronted up to the oppositions tallest man in a Little V Large square off – He was cheered by TM Webber who highlighted to the rest of the squad “that’s the fight we need – no backward step from the Jackal there”.

Man of the Match was clear and evident – Evans at 13 shone throughout, robust and destructive tackling, the try of the season and many more individual contributions, surely moving forward the focus should be to get the ball to him more. Merthyr look for some more suitable games over the next few weeks to ensure they are finely tunned ready for league and cup action with both a possible end of year reward. Watch This Space!!!!