Round 1. Indigo Group Premiership 2022/23

IMPROVED SECOND HALF DISPLAY WINS IT FOR THE IRONMEN

MERTHYR 22 RGC 1404 15 (3rd September 2022 (Indigo Premiership)

Merthyr opened their 2022/23 Indigo Premiership campaign with a hard-fought win over North Wales side RGC 1404 in a game which they had to fight back after trailing 3-15 at half time.

RGC who are renowned for running rugby started the game the better side has they ran at Merthyr at every opportunity and only good tackling keeping them out. The scene for the match was set at the first scrum which saw the home pack pressure the RGC resulting in a penalty for the Ironmen. However, it was the visitors that took the lead after 10 minutes when outside half Dion Jones dodged his way over from 25 meters out after some weak home tackling, his kick going wide.

The home side began to settle as they won some clean lineout possession from both Paddy McBride and Tom Daley, allowing the home backs to move the ball and should have scored when an overlap was created but fullback Ben Jones spilled the ball with the line at his mercy. RGC then extended their lead further when the home side were penalised for offside 35 metres out with outside half Jones making no mistake to give the visitors a 0-8 lead.

The home side forwards began to take control at the set piece and put RGC under pressure who gave away several penalties close to their line, but Merthyr failed to capitalise. However, Merthyr got on the scoreboard when outside Half Josh Lewis slotted over a penalty from 30 metres out, to bring the score 3-8. Back came RGC once again with darting runs from scrum half Efan Jones and some weak tackling saw outside half Jones dart over from close range for his second try has he added the extra points, RGC went in at half time with 3-15 lead. Whatever was said at half time to the Merthyr side seemed to work as straight from the start openside flanker Osian Davies turning ball over which saw the Merthyr backs move the ball wide with some good handling skills which saw outside centre Dafydd Thomas racing away to score wide out. Merthyr then began to grow with confidence with home forwards taking the game to RGC and Merthyr soon drew level when Wingman Adam Hoskins dived over in the corner, Lewis kicking the extras to draw the scores level 15-15.

The Merthyr forwards led by captain Craig Locke began to grind the RGC side down with good drives from Paddy McBride, Osian Davies, and Hooker Rhys Williams. RGC where penalised 25 metres wide out, with Merthyr opting for the kick to the corner, but lost possession near the RGC line. Shortly after, RGC gave away another penalty and once again Merthyr opted for the kick to the corner. From the attacking line out replacement second row Ben Siers won good line out possession and the Merthyr eight drove RGC 1404 back over their own line with hooker Rhys Williams claiming the try, Lewis converting to give the ironmen a 22-15 lead with 5 minutes remaining. RGC threw everything at Merthyr and looked to have scored but the last pass was deemed forward by match Referee Simon Mills and Merthyr ran out winners in a tight but exciting game. For Merthyr it was the forwards that won the game with Captain Locke leading by example, well supported by McBride, and man of the match Osian Davies. Behind the scrum, half backs Soanes and Lewis linked well together, with Lewis showing his kicking skills. Mention also to young replacement 2nd row Ben Sier who showed his lineout skills in the second half winning clean ball. Merthyr now turn their attention to last season Champions Cardiff RFC this Saturday as they travel into the capital.

MERTHYR: 15 B Jones, 14 S Jones, 13 R Davies (G Thompson) 12 D Thomas, 11 A Hoskins, 10 J Lewis, 9 J Soanes (T Knoyle) 1 C Lewis (M Burgess) 2 R Williams, 3 R Lewis (L Jones) 4 C Locke© 5 P McBride, 6 T Daley (J Perkins) 7 O Davies, 8 P Rees (B Sier).

16 L Jones, 17 M Burgess, 18 A Hughes, 19 Ben Sier, 20 J Perkins, 21 T Knoyle, 22 G Thompson, 23 J Keenan.

Scorers, D Thomas 1t, A Hoskins1t, R Williams1t, J Lewis 1 Pen 2 Cons.

Match Referee Simon Mills (WRU).

Sponsors Man of the Match Osian Davies.