PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP
MERTHYR .................... 32 SWANSEA .................... 26
MERTHYR were made to fight by bottom side Swansea as they go top of the Premiership for the first time this season.
Swansea, who have struggled all season, arrived as having won only one game, ran the Ironmen close and nearly caused a big upset at the Wern Sports Park.
Both sides took a while to settle as they both threw the ball around in the bright sunshine to try and gain an upper hand. Both sides were guilty of handling errors in the opening quarter of the game and it took until the 27th minute until Swansea full back Jac Wilson kicked a penalty as Merthyr were guilty of not releasing at the tackle, however this was short lived as from the restart Swansea gave away a penalty for offside and Merthyr full back Matthew Jarvis making no mistake with a well taken kick from 40 meters to tie the scores 3-3.
Both sides looked dangerous behind the scrum as they moved the ball at every opportunity and when Merthyr carried the ball following good drives in midfield from Nick White and Tom Daley they found wing man Kyle Evans in space and he showed his pace to race away for the opening try, Jarvis converted and Merthyr had taken the lead 10-3. This was shortlived as from a lineout deep in the Merthyr 22 which Swansea stole their backs moved the ball wide and found full back Jac Wilson in space to race over in the corner, he converted his own try to tie the scores 10-10.
Merthyr made a half time replacement which saw Phil Rees play his first game of the season following a leg injury. Merthyr took the lead as new signing Richard Carter caught the kick off ball and raced away to score, Jarvis converted to give Merthyr a 17-10 lead. This was shortly doubled as the forwards caught the restart and drove down field and when the ball was recycled the backs moved the ball quickly which found centre Aaron Pincers in space who fed wingman Carter who raced away for his second try to extend Merthyr’s led 22-10.
Back came Swansea as they got back into the game following a penalty deep into the Merthyr 22 as they opted for the catch and drive from the lineout and as their forwards drove towards the Merthyr line back row man Mike Sully crashed over for the try to close the gap 22-15. This gave Swansea renewed confidence as they once again began to throw the ball about and when Wilson kicked his second penalty following a high tackle in midfield it reduced the score 22-18. Merthyr drove back down field and after several drives at the Swansea line which looked as Merthyr would extend the lead, captain Locke was yellow carded for an infringement at the ruck.
The next score was important to both sides and it was Merthyr’s forwards that began to take the game to Swansea with good carries from Nick White, Osian Davies and Tom Daley. Merthyr were awarded a penalty 15m from the Swansea line and elected for the scrum which they drove towards the line and when three consecutive scrums were collapsed as Merthyr drove forward referee Rob Price awarded a penalty try which Jarvis converted which extended their lead 29-18 and gain the bonus point.
To their credit Swansea didn’t give in, as they came back at Merthyr once again and this was rewarded when Wilson kicked a penalty for back chat to the referee to close the score 29-21. Things got worse for Swansea as tryscorer Scully was then yellow carded which saw Jarvis kick his second penalty to give Merthyr the lead 32-21 and make the game safe. Swansea would not give in and this was rewarded as scrum half Luckwell took a quick tap penalty near the Merthyr line to feed Ryan Evans to score with the kick going wide the referee blew for full time and Merthyr had run out winners 32-26.
This was a disjointed performance from the Merthyr side as they struggled to hold onto the ball and drop too many passes. The Merthyr coaches will be disappointed with the display but happy with the result and know they have found a lethal finisher in Richard Carter who showed his speed and pace as he took his two tries.
The win puts Merthyr top of the Premiership as league leaders Aberavon were defeated at Pontypridd. Merthyr travel to Carmarthen Quins on Saturday, kickoff 2.30pm.