Merthyr charge on
EBBW VALE ................... 3 MERTHYR .................... 13
THIS is the first time in Merthyr’s 141-year history that they reached the semi-final of the WRU Cup, after defeating last season’s Premiership champions Ebbw Vale at Eugene Cross Park 3-13 in a very tense and sometimes physical game.
Both sides took a while to adapt to the playing conditions after the early morning rain had turned the filed into a mud bath. The tension boiled over as early as the 10th minute when referee Gwyn Morris showed red cards to both Ebbw Vale No 8 Jonathan Davies and Merthyr flanker Osian Davies for a touchline fight.
As the game began to settle it was going to the battle of the forwards with home captain Damien Hudd leading his pack with some charging runs, but Merthyr’s defence held tight with some good tackles from No 8 Phil Rees, Tom Daley, and captain Craig Locke.
The game was stalemate up to the 38th minute with both sides cancelling each other out, but Merthyr were awarded a kickable penalty which they turned down and elected for the kick for touch to keep Ebbw Vale under pressure. This was rewarded as from the lineout won by second row Lou Reed the Merthyr pack drove Ebbw Vale backwards towards their line and after several drives prop Nathan Travett barged is way over for the opening score, full back Matthew Jarvis converting to give Merthyr a 0-7 lead.
However, this was short lived as from the restart Merthyr gave a silly penalty away at the ruck which Ebbw Vale outside half Josh Lewis converted from 35 meters to close the score 3-7.
As the second half began the Merthyr pack started to take the game to Ebbw Vale with big pick up and drives from Lou Reed, captain Craig Locke and back row man Phil Rees. A kick up field from Ebbw Vale was collected by centre Teri Gee who raced up field and has he approached the Ebbw Vale 22 he chipped ahead and as he raced after his kick he was tackled without the ball and Merthyr were awarded a penalty which reliable kicker Jarvis converted to extend Merthyr’s lead 3-10.
Ebbw Vale then threw everything at Merthyr as they looked for a score to get back into the game, but once again good defence kept them out. A fine sweeping movement by the Merthyr backs orchestrated by outside half Gareth Davies saw replacement wing Martyn Thomas break several tackles and has he was brought down 35 meters out close to the touch line. Ebbw Vale gave away a penalty, which once again Jarvis converted to bring his tally to over 200 points for the season and more importantly extend Merthyr’s lead 3-13.
Back came Ebbw Vale as they looked to get back into the game but once again the Merthyr defence held firm. Josh Lewis then had a chance to reduce the score with a penalty 30 meters out but like Merthyr decided to kick for touch. From the lineout they drove at Merthyr but when the ball was held up Ebbw were awarded a scrum. From the scrum 10 meters out the Merthyr eight drove Ebbw Vale back and as the scrum collapsed Merthyr were awarded a penalty with Jarvis kicking long down field, to relieve the pressure. As time began to run out Ebbw still ran at Merthyr and a half break from Josh Lewis 30 meters was covered by a great tackle from replacement Aaron Pincers and the chance had gone.
As the final whistle went a great cheer came from the loyal Merthyr supporters rang around the field. Both sides should be congratulated for a great game of rugby under very poor weather conditions. For Merthyr, the forwards laid the foundations for the win with great performances from Lou Reed, Craig Locke, Phil Rees, and Tom Daley. Behind the scrum, half-backs Downes and Davies linked well together with Davies showing his kicking skills with some lengthy touch finders. Merthyr also have found a great goal kicker and full back in the reliable Matthew Jarvis who was solid under the high ball all afternoon. This was a great away win for the Ironmen which will please coaches Jarvis and Mcintosh but they know the hard work is still yet to come as Merthyr approach the Foster’s Cup Semi-final, the WRU Cup semi-final and they also chase a Premiership playoff place, exciting times.
Merthyr take a break this weekend before their first semi-final against Carmarthen Quins in the Foster’s Cup on Wednesday, March 15 at Aberavon RFC, this is then followed by a league game against Llandovery on the eve of France v Wales international, before the WRU Cup semi-final, with the draw being made this Tuesday, with Pontypridd, RGC 1404, and Cross Keys also in the hat.