Mel Jones Cup Semi Final

The Double Dream Dashed in Dowlais. Dowlais 14 – Merthyr 8
With the aim of the season to build from the foundations of the previous year it was with much credit that Team Ath found themselves in a semi-final versus local rivals Dowlais. Confirming the fixture was a challenging process and despite much dispute Thursday The Fourth of May was agreed. Team selection was tough as training number had increased significantly on the Tuesday prior to the game, despite this a fairly settled team was selected. Captain Rees won the toss and elected to play up the slope. The early exchanges were much as expected with a fight for territory evident, kicking was clearly a focus for both teams. From a lineout off the top ball was received by Rees, with the Dowlais forwards flooding through Rees elected not to pass and take contact, a bash to the head saw Rees hit the deck. Play was stopped and Rees was removed from play with a sore head and a bleeding lip, unlikely to return. Will Thomas reverted from wing to scrumhalf and Tom Blandford entered the fray on the wing. Minutes later Dowlais in possession attacking from their own half, the whistle blasts, the outside half continues to run and slips, Daf Hellard hits hard, slightly high and within a blink of an eye Merthyr are down to 14 men for the remaining 70 minutes, No TMO, no chance to review and views are split – Merthyr Fans in dispute with the officials and the Dowlais faithful up in arms with hard hitting Hellard (HHH). Merthyr now had a titanic struggle on their hands. The next thirty minutes up to half-time was much of a stale mate. Penalties were exchanged and the scoreline was 6-3 to Dowlais but no clear evident favourite emerged. The Merthyr pack seemed to have the upper hand but failed to enforce this and gain any supremacy. The Merthyr team bolstered several first-year seniors in Roberts, I Thomas, K Thomas, Tyler, J Jones, A Jones and Davies. To their credit in experiencing their first local derby semi-final against a strong Dowlais team they did themselves proud.
The half-time discussion was much about continued Territory and discipline. Sadly, Merthyr were unable to grasp either with any dominance. Some kicks were slightly off target and gave Dowlais an easy out and the Dowlais kicking game was probably a little more accurate. Discipline also failed to hit the heights of that achieved in Abercynon and Dowlais were able to extend their lead, firstly with a penalty 9-3 and later with a scrappy try that came from a kick through and a scramble 14-3 with ten minutes to go. Undeterred and determined Merthyr fought their way down to the Dowlais line. Line break after line break and eventual penalty lead to a lineout five meters out. Clean take from the Salmon and the drive came on – the backs flooded in and over we went 14-8 with the last minutes of play to come. Sadly it was all a little too late and despite the last gasp push and eventual penalty conceded allowed Dowlais to kick out and the final whistle blew.
Despite the heart break and disappointment, the Merthyr team can hold their heads up high. Front Rowers on the night; Roberts, Mullins and Meredith secured quality ball and dominated, their replacements Murphy, Perkins and Tyler gave clean possession, while their work rate and desire was evident from one and all. Second Rows Cav and The Salmon did what they always do – Cav motivated, smashed into things and galvanized the pack, while the Salmon leapt, contested and worked tirelessly – a good shift from both. The back row of Thomas, Tyler and Davies showed up well with their ball carrying, tackling, marshalling and hunger. Price entered the fray as a replacement in the second half and added experience, go forward and tenacity – his reward was a try on the evening. The backline also showed up well in dreadful conditions, Scrum Half and skipper Rees was unlucky to leave the field early after a head clash, we wish him a speedy recovery. His replacement Will Thomas gave a terrier like performance with some flanker like tackles nailing would be Dowlais tacklers and proved a quality link between forwards and backs. At ten Jack Wills having travelled by Helicopter from London earlier in the day produced some glimpses of quality that in time with increased consistency will ensure he has a prosperous rugby future. HHH Daf unlucky to receive a Red will return and hopefully repay us against Rhydfelin in our final league game. RW our Adopted Son once again showed his quality and never say die attitude. A Jones although initially out of position on the wing worked tirelessly throughout as did replacement Blandford. While fast daps himself Rio Davies once again showed his potential, sadly the conditions limited his input.
It is important to mention the substitutes who didn’t feature in this battle but have very much been at the centre of the journey to this point. Jackal, Josh Jones, Nathan”The Chunky One” Thomas, Phil Snare, Young Shandy, Big B Butler, Evan ‘Head Shot’ Hussey, Granty, and Cameron – Star Fish.
In a rollercoaster season we have One Last Dance – Rhydyfelin Away for the League. TeamAthRideAgain!!!
There is much optimism about this group of players in the coming seasons as they grow as a group.