Indigo Group Premiership Cup

LEAGUE LEADERS TOO STRONG FOR THE IRONMEN

MERTHYR 31 NEWPORT 52 (Saturday 20^th November 21 at the Wern Sports Complex)

(Indigo Premiership Cup Round 9)

After last weekends big win over Pontypridd RFC, the Ironmen were brought back down to earth with a large bang against league leaders Newport RFC, who ran in eight tries. Merthyr had no answer to the pace of the Black and Ambers which were well led by centre Matt O’Brian who orchestrated the Newport back division all afternoon. Newport opened the scoring when full back Dai Richards finished off a sweeping back move to race over, outside half Will Reed converted and Newport led 0-7. Things got worse for the Ironmen as the Newport back division showed their speed and pace with centre Daffyd Smith running in two tries with Reed converting one as they strolled into a 0-19 lead.

The Merthyr side came into the game but  failed to capitalise when they got into try scoring positions with poor lineout possession with over throws and Newport nicking the Merthyr ball, however young centre Jarrod Cushion who was making his home debut did manage to get a score back for the Ironmen with a dash for the line from 25 meters out, then just before half time Newport gained the bonus point when number 8 Ben Roach raced away from poor tacking from the home defence to give Newport a 5-24 half-time lead.

Any signs of a fight back in the second half from the Ironmen were soon thwarted when Newport scrum half Luke Crane raced in for two tries one converted by Reed and Newport had stretched their lead 5-38. Merthyr had several chances near the Newport line but due to poor lineout possession, allowed Newport to clear the danger.

Merthyr did get on the score sheet when scrum half Justin James broke several tackles inside the Newport 25 to touch down Thompson converted to close the gap 12-38. But back came Newport once again with there dangerous backs spreading the ball and this time it was ex Dragon’s wingman Will-Talbot-Davies who raced in for the try which Reed Converted and Newport had reach 40 points. A fine break from full back Ben Jones found wingman Sam Jones in space and he showed his pace as he raced away from the Newport cover to score the first of his two tries. Then it was the turn of ex-Ironman and hooker Matt Dwyer who was driven over from a lineout deep inside the Merthyr 25 Reed converted and Newport had reach 50 points, with 10 minutes remaining.

Merthyr did manage two consolation tries through hooker Dan Wall and the second for wingman Sam Jones both converted by replacement outside half Gareth Davies to make the score a little more respectable and gain what could be an all-important bonus point and bring the game to an end as Newport had run out comfortable winners 31-52.

This was a disappointing performance from the Ironmen who had no answer to the pace and speed of the Newport backs who were well led by play maker Matt O’Brian all afternoon. The Merthyr pack worked hard all afternoon and seemed to match Newport in the set piece but lost their way in lineout possession behind the scrum wingman Sam Jones showed he got pace if given the ball early. The Ironmen must now regroup as they travel into the city this weekend to face Cardiff RFC.

MERTHYR: 15 B Jones,14 A Norton, 13 J Cushion, 12 R Davies, 11 S Jones, 10 G Thompson, 9 J James, 1 C Phillips, 2 D Wall, 3 O Rees, 4 C Locke©, 5 P McBride, 6 T Daley, 7 J Perkins, 8 P Rees, 16 A Hughes, 17 C Lewis, 18 K Williams, 19 C Bradbury, 20 M Tutaia, 21 A Hoskins, 22 G Davies,23 D McIntosh.

Scorers, S Jones 2t, J James 1t, D Wall 1t, J Cushion 1t, G Thompson 1c, G Davies 2c.

Referee, Gareth Newman(WRU)