Youth. WRU Plate

The young ironmen departed early Saturday morning to travel north for their round 2 WRU plate fixture against Mold Youth – this was the first fixture between the two sides in this competition and had all the signs of a great contest.

Merthyr were granted their talisman and Co Captain Evan Wood who was released by Cardiff to play in this competition and supported well by Number 8 Jordan Carpenter and electric fly half Leon Caviel.

Merthyr started the stronger of the two sides making some heavy midfield runs into the opposition half, Toon, Lyons and Josh ‘Denzil’ Davies causing problems with Molds defence. Merthyr fought and trundled their way into the North Walians 22m and finally got their reward with a Penalty which Caviel slotted over, giving a slender lead of 3 points.

Mold picked up the pace and got back into the match from the restart making some positive turnovers at the breakdown but were denied any space to play, with the partnership of Wathen and Hope in midfield forcing Mold to make errors, giving Merthyr advantages across the field.

Merthyr kicked to the touchlines and were looking in charge with Carpenter and Wood making crucial calls at lineouts.

Garon “The Salmon” Griffiths was incredible in the air and won several lineouts for and against the throw, supported by Sol ‘Snitch’ Hadley who’s work rate secured crucial ball at the breakdown.

Merthyrs first try of the match came from some great interlinking play between forwards and backs, Caviel spotting a space out wide to get the ball to young speedsters Will Mullins and Eddie Lloyd turning up grass like tractors – Hope working like a train off the ball and supported well for the first 5 pointer. Unfortunately Hope came off after ‘pulling a fetlock’ whilst scoring the try replaced by Richmond. Caviel slotting the extra 2.

Again Mold came out of the traps to put pressure on Merthyr, winning and turning over several scrums with their heavy more experienced pack making the difference – Mold threatened with some strong runs from their 3, 8 and 12 but the young ironmen proving too strong in defence with Friel, now playing 13, Carpenter, Lyons and Griffiths shunting every attack backwards.

Lloyd at 15 grabbed the ball running and sidestepping his way down the pitch like a young Phil Bennett with Mold just bringing him down 5m short of the line. Lloyd’s efforts were in the ironmens fortune as captain Wood crashed over the line on the stroke of HT making it 15 – 0 at the break.

Merthyr kicked off 2nd half with the same pace as the first. Toon and Griffiths working in unison around the field making some crucial tackles to stop Mold getting offloads.

Roberts at 9, just returning from an all inclusive, marshaling the forwards and sniping at the rucks was forced off with an elbow injury, bringing Scrivens on for some fresh legs.

Mold got the first points of the 2nd period after some tactical plays gaining advantage in Merthyrs half, not rolling away at the ruck gave Mold 3 points in front of the posts.

This seemed to energise the boys in green and gold but efforts were thwarted by some officiating decisions not going their way – Caviel seeing yellow for a strong tackle which the opposition wasn’t happy about – Mold using their heavy forwards to pressure Merthyrs defence but were met with some stern tackling from Barden, Hadley and Wood.

The ball was spilled and turned over by Caviel who shifted it wide to strong running Richmond who dinked the ball into space behind Molds retreating defenders – Wood racing through like a greyhound, using some excellent footballing skills, plucking the ball from the bounce to score his 2nd try of the match under the sticks – Caviel adding the 2 and in full control.

Merthyr now using their replacements Hannah, Hope, Mogford, Lewis and Ronan to boost the ironmens performance- Hannah and Lewis making an instant impact with Hope making vital turnovers at lineout.

Another Mold error out wide from their agile 13 gave Merthyr quick possession landing in the hands of Friel, Richmond onto Lloyd who again jinked around the winger to race 60 metres up field scoring a great LRZ like try!

Caviel again adding the 2 to make the score 29 – 3.

Mold battered their way down the pitch and got their rewards with a try out wide and slotting a super conversion from the touchline making the final score 29 – 10.

Wood and Caviel earning respected MoM plaudits from the Northmen but overall a huge team performance from the lads in green and gold.

A great contest for the young ironmen on the road up North who now go into the last 16