Round 6. Indigo Group Premiership 2022/23

LATE TRY SEALS VICTORY FOR THE WIZARDS.
ABERAVON 39 MERTHYR 32

(Saturday 15th October 22 Talbot Athletic Ground)

This was a great advert for Indigo Premiership rugby as both teams played their part in a thrilling game of rugby with 70 points scored which included 11 tries. Merthyr may feel a little unlucky not to have won this game against unbeaten and league leaders Aberavon, with the lead changing hands several times. The Ironmen fell behind after 2 minutes on the clock when with their first attack centre and man of the match Joe Gage sent a delicate chip behind the Merthyr defence into the gaol area with co-centre Brad Rodrick touching down, Gage converting, and the Wizards led 7-0. However, Merthyr soon hit back with some fine work from Osian Davies who found Phil Rees up in support to score the first of their 5 tries, Thompson missing the kick. Ex Ironman Rhys Jones slotted over a Drop Goal from 35 metres out to nudge the home side further in front at 10-5.

Then followed a purple patch from the Ironmen with first Captain Craig Lock crashing over from close range to draw the scores level at 10-10. This was then followed by another try from fellow second row Callum Bradbury to give the Ironmen a 10-15 lead. It was now all Merthyr as they took the game to the Wizards and an interception try just over the halfway line from centre Morgan Sieniawski who race away under the posts, Thompson converting, and the Ironmen had raced away 10-22.

Aberavon soon hit back with afine move started by number 8 Dan Baker who found wingman Jay Baker up in support, his inside pass found centre Joe Gage in support to score under the posts, Jones converted to bring the score 17-22. Merthyr outside half Thompson then pushed Merthyr further in front as he struck a 35-metre penalty 17-25. On the stroke of half time Merthyr were guilty of not clearing their goal line and after two attempts to clear the line Aberavon pounced when they charged down the kicks and Gage was at hand to dive on the loose ball to score, Jones converted for a 24-25 half time score. The second half started badly for Merthyr, as from the kick off which went straight into touch, Aberavon attacked the Merthyr defence from the set piece and after several forward drives Merthyr gave away a penalty, 35 metres out, Jones opted for the corner and the lineout from which Aberavon drove Merthyr back over their own line with Hooker Davies touching down to give the wizards the lead back 29-25. However, this was short lived as Merthyr hit back when they broke out of defence with back row man Tom Daley up in support to find centre Dafydd Thomas in support for Thomas to race in for the try, Thompson converted to give Ironmen a 29-32 lead.

Aberavon then made several foward changes which swung the game back their way and from a defensive Merthyr scrum Aberavon drove the Merthyr 8 off their own ball with number 8 Dan Baker touching down which saw Aberavon re-take the lead 34-32. There was little respite for Merthyr as Aberavon big forwards drove at the ironmen’s defence and after constant pressure a cleaver kick behind the Merthyr defence saw wingman Rees win the race for the touchdown, Jones going wide with is kick with referee Bessant blowing for full time to end a pulsating and very entertaining game of rugby. Merthyr will rue the missed chances and silly errors which cost them the win but must be congratulated on the part they played in a 11 try game.

For Merthyr Lock led well until he left the field with a leg injury, second row Bradbury together with Daley won good lineout possession with Osian Davies winning good turn over ball. Behind the scrum Soanes and Thompson linked well together with both Dafydd Thomas, and Morgan Sieniawski looking very dangerous with ball in hand. Merthyr turn their attention this week to the WRU Cup when the entertain unbeaten Llandovery at home for the second time this season.

MERTHYR: 15 B JONES,14 S JONES,13 D THOMAS, 12 M SIENIAWSKI, 11 J CUSHION, 10 G THOMPSON, 9 J SOANES(E Lloyd62mins), 1 C PHILLIPS(C Lewis62mins), 2 R WILLIAMS(D Wall 62mins), 3 R LEWIS(L Jones 62mins), 4 C LOCKE©(A Lloyd 17mins), 5 C BRADBURY, 6 T DALEY, 7 O DAVIES, 8 P REES(T Jevons 67mins), 16 D WALL, 17 L JONES, 18 C LEWIS, 19 A LLOYD, 20 T JEAVONS, 21 E LLOYD, 22 R DAVIES(Not used), 23 C DAVIES(Not used).
Scorers, P Rees 1t, C Locke 1t, C Bradbury 1t, M Sieniawski 1t, D Thomas 1t, G Thompson 1p, 2cons.
Referee Jason Bassent (WRU)