Indigo Group Premiership Cup

BONUS POINT WIN FOR THE IRONMEN

MERTHYR 31 CARDIFF 26 (Saturday 16^th October 2021)

(Wern Sports complex)

After two away defeats Merthyr got back to winning ways with a bonus point over arch-rivals “The Blue and blacks of Cardiff”. In bright sunshine and in front of a large crowed which included First Minister Mark Drakeford. Cardiff had arrived as league leaders, but it was the Ironmen of Merthyr that looked the better side in the opening stages and took the lead when a forward drive inside the Cardiff 25 was halted and when the ball was spun wide it found centre Harley Thompson in space to touch for the first try, outside half Gareth Thompson converted and Merthyr led 7-0.

However, this was shorted lived as Cardiff responded immediately from the restart when the threequarters moved the ball wide and found Number 8 Sam Moore in space to touch down, outside half Jack Maynard converted and game on at 7-7. Merthyr hit straight back when a clearance kick from Cardiff was charged down by Gareth Thompson who raced away from 30 meters out to touch down, he then converted, and Merthyr led 14-7.

This was becoming a ding dong battle has Cardiff hit back once again when ex-ironman Harri Millard burst up field and when the move was carried on by the Cardiff pack, centre Ioan Evans took a pass to touch down Maynard converted, and it was all square once again at 14-14.

The Merthyr eight well led by captain Craig Locke then began to get the upper hand at the set piece as they pressured Cardiff and this led to a fine break from second row Cullum Bradbury and weak tackling from Cardiff saw the second-row gallop away to score, Thompson converted to put the Ironmen ahead 21-14. Merthyr then gain confidence and began to move the ball wide to stretch Cardiff and after good ball handling from the Merthyr backs the ball found wingman Sam Jones in space who raced away to score, Thompson converted, and Merthyr went in at half time with a 28-14 lead and a bonus point.

Cardiff then made several halftime replacements with regional players, Dan Fish, Kieron Assiratti, and Morgan Allen being introduced and this swung the game back towards the visitors when a fine break from Garyn Smith which set up co centre Ioan Evans to score his second try, Maynard converted to close the gap 28-21. Cardiff should have drawn level when a fine backs move found Dan Fish in space with men outside him an overlap his attempted pass went behind and the chance had gone. Fish began to find gaps in the Merthyr defence with several good runs and he found full back Jacob Beetham in space who raced over wide out, his attempt at conversion going wide but Cardiff had closed the gap 28-26.

With time running out the next score was vital to both sides. Merthyr outside half Thompson calmed home supporters’ nerves when he converted a penalty after Cardiff were caught offside to give Merthyr a five-point lead. Cardiff was not finished as they camped on the Merthyr line and wave after wave of forwards drives were well defended by big tackles from, McBride, Perkins, and captain Locke as Cardiff failed to get the score and Merthyr held out for a famous and well-deserved bonus point win 31-26.

It was the Merthyr forwards that laid the platform for the victory which saw once again good displays from back row man Phil Rees, Jack Perkins, hooker Rhys Williams all well led by captain Craig Locke. Behind the scrum half backs Soanes and Thompson linked well together with both wings Sam Jones and Alex Webber looking dangerous with ball in hand. This impressive win will hopefully get champions Merthyr back in contention for a playoff place. This weekend the Ironmen make the short trip as they travel to the Steelmen of Ebbw Vale, who defeated them at home earlier in the season with a last gasp penalty from outside half Williams.

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

Scorers, S Jones1t, C Bradbury 1t, H Thompson, 1t, G Thompson 1t, 4c, 1p.

Referee, Aled Evans (WRU).