Indigo Group Premiership Cup

IRONMEN COMPLETE DOUBLE OVER THE BLUE AND BLACKS

CARDIFF 29 MERTHYR 45 (Saturday 27^th November 21 at Cardiff Arms Park)

(Indigo Premiership East Cup Round 10)

The Ironmen complete a notable double over the Blue and Blacks of Cardiff at the Arms park where they ran in 7 tries with the game total of 74 points on show. The game got off to a frantic start when Merthyr opened the scoring thanks to clever work from full back Ben Jones who collected a high kick inside his own 25 and his kick back up field was gathered just inside the halfway line catching Cardiff flat footed as he raced in from 50 meters, Gareth Thompson converted to give the Ironmen a 0-7 early lead.

The Merthyr forwards then began to get the upper hand as they drove at Cardiff, and it was not long before they doubled their lead following good work from back row man Paddy McBride who drove forward inside the Cardiff 25 knocking several tackles aside to crash over, Thompson converted, and Merthyr were in total control as they led 0-14.

Cardiff managed to put a good phase of play together just over the halfway line which saw Centre Ioan Evans race away to score in the corner. Back came Merthyr with several good forward drives from Captain Craig Locke supported by Phil Rees, Dafydd Stonelake and prop Chris Phillips which allowed the Merthyr backs to move the ball wide with centre Aaron Pinches showing his strength has he barged over for Merthyr’s 3^rd try.

The Cardiff forwards began to put several phases together inside the Merthyr 25 and this was rewarded when Captain Alex Everett touch down from short range, Jack Maynard converted to close the gap 12-19.

Again, this was short lived when man of the match selected by Cardiff, scrum half Justin James showed his speed and pace as he raced away from a lineout inside the Cardiff 25 to score the bonus point try for the Ironmen, with Thompson converting to extend the lead 12-26. Then just before half time Cardiff closed the gap when wingman Cameron Winnett raced in for a fine try to bring the first half to a close with Ironmen leading 17-26.

Cardiff clawed there way back into the game early in the second half when following several drives near the Merthyr line the ball found centre Ryan Wilkins in a gap to touch down Maynard converted, and gap was closed 24-26.

Back came the Ironmen, as they turned down a penalty kick at goal and opted for a kick for touch deep into the Cardiff 25. From the lineout the Merthyr 8 drove Cardiff back over their own line with prop Chris Phillips touching down, Thompson converted, and Merthyr had stretched their lead once again 24-33. This was a ding, dong, battle as Cardiff came back once again at Merthyr with their back line stretching the Merthyr defence which saw full back Jacob Beetham cross the whitewash to make it a one score game 29-33.

It was Merthyr that finished the stronger and once again the Merthyr forwards surged towards the line from a lineout, and it was back row man Dafydd Stonelake who touch down to give the Ironmen a little breathing space, at 29-38. Just before full time, the Ironmen scored their 7^th try when replacement scum half Adam Hoskins showed his skills as he dodged past several Cardiff defenders near the line and with Thompson converting it sealed a notable double over Cardiff 29-45.

This was a much-improved performance from the Ironmen following a big home defeat the week before against Newport. It was once again the strength of the Merthyr 8 well led once again by captain Craig Locke and well supported by Paddy Mc Bride, Phil Rees, and Chris Phillips. Behind the scrum Merthyr had the match winner in scrum half Justin James who kept the Cardiff side on their toes all afternoon with his darting runs and speed from the base of the scrum. It was good to see centre Aaron Pinches back in the side after injury and how important he his with his ball carrying skills, also a fine display from full back Ben Jones who showed what he can do with ball in hand. Merthyr take a week off before they face Ebbw Vale at home on Saturday 11^th December in their first Premiership league game.

MERTHYR: 15 B Jones,14 S Jones,13 R Davies,12 A Pinches,11 A Webber, 10 G Thompson, 9 J James, 1 C Phillips, 2 R Williams, 3 O Rees, 4 C Locke©, 5 C Bradbury, 6 P McBride, 7 D Stonelake,8 P Rees, 16 D Wall, 17 C Lewis, 18 K Williams, 19 S O’Rourke, 20 T Daley, 21 A Hoskins, 22 G Davies, 23 J Cushion.

Scorers, B Jones1t, A Pinches 1t, P McBride1t, J James 1t, C Phillips1t, D Stonelake1t, A Hoskins 1t, G Thompson 5c,

Referee Simon Rees (WRU).