Merthyr disappointed with Aberavon defeat
PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP ABERAVON .................. 24 MERTHYR .................... 17
MERTHYR, who had secured a top 8 place before this top-of-the-league clash against league leaders Aberavon at the Talbot Athletic Ground can feel a little unlucky not to have got something from this fiercely contested clash.
Merthyr took an early lead within five minutes when the Merthyr threequarters moved the ball just over the halfway line which saw wingman Teri Gee sprint away to touch down, ex Wizard, Merthyr full back Matthew Jarvis converting to give the Ironmen a 0-7 lead.
Big hits were going in from both sides as they battled to control the game. A lofted kick from Aberavon outside half James Garland didn’t seem to cause any initial danger but as the ball bounced close to the Merthyr line the cover defence lost control allowing Garland to gather and touch down, Garland then added the extras and the game was tied at 7-7.
Aberavon then took the lead as they won clean lineout ball on the halfway line and a break from Garland found wing forward Joe Reeves in space who raced away under the post to score, Garland converted and Aberavon had taken a 14-7 lead.
Both sides then kept battling away with Merthyr starting to get the upper hand as skipper Craig Locke well supported by young wing forward Owen Jones took the game to Aberavon. Full back Jarvis then reduced the lead with a well-judged penalty from 35m to close the gap 1410. Just before half time a storming run from No 8 Phil Rees caused panic in the Aberavon defence and has he charged towards the line he offloaded a pass to scrum half Rhys Downes who raced away to touch down under the posts, Jarvis converted and Merthyr went in at half time 14-17 leaders.
The second half began like the first with both sides battling away to try and take control. Home second row Ben Jones then barged his way over to give Aberavon back the lead, and with Garland converting Aberavon now led 21-17. Back came Merthyr once again with good carries from second row Ben Murphy and hooker Rhys Williams to put the pressure back on Aberavon as Merthyr looked to retake the lead. Matthew Jarvis then had a chance with a penalty kick from 35m to close the gap but his kick just went wide of the posts. As the game approached the last 10 minutes Aberavon emptied their bench to help them see the game out as Merthyr kept the pressure on. Replacement outside half Steff Williams then gave them breathing space when he kicked a penalty from 25m to extend Aberavon’s lead 24-17. Back came Merthyr once again as they looked for that all-important score as the game went into injurytime and they came very close as they caught and drove a lineout near the Aberavon line and drove over, only for the referee to give a knock-on. From the scrum Merthyr drove Aberavon backwards and only desperate defence kept them out.
This was a great advert for Premiership rugby and in a pulsating game both sides must be congratulated on the standard of play with the result going either way up to the final whistle. For Merthyr both second rows Locke and Murphy were superb, but the outstanding forward was young back row man Owen Jones who was outstanding all afternoon. Merthyr will reflect on a game they could have and should have won, but fine margins, and little errors against top sides can cost you games.
Merthyr who have gained a top 8 spot for the second half of the season take a break until the beginning of February when the second stage of the league begins, where they will face the top seven clubs in the Premiership – Aberavon, Pontypridd, RGC 1404, Ebbw Vale, Bedwas, Llandovery and Carmarthen Quins – either home or away. Merthyr play two remaining Foster’s Challenge Cup games, starting this Wednesday with Ebbw Vale at home followed by Pontypridd away, before a WRU Welsh Cup game against Championship side Newbridge, at the end of the month.