HARD-FOUGHT VICTORY FOR CHAMPS MERTHYR
PREMIERSHIP champions Merthyr were made to fight on the opening day of the new premiership league against a strong Cross Keys side and left it until the 80th minute to steal a win away from the Gwent side that led 17-29 with 5 minutes remaining.
Keys began the stronger side and took an early lead following a sweeping move from their backs which resulted in centre Lewis Barnett breaking away from some poor home tackling to score, outside half Josh Prosser converted to give keys a 0-7 lead.
Merthyr began to settle as their big forwards began to put several good phases together which resulted in number 8 Phil Rees barging his way over after throwing a dummy close to the Keys line to close the gap 5-7.
This seemed to give Merthyr confidence after a nervy start and a piece of individual magic from young outside half Ben Jones who threw a dummy, 40 yards out to race away beating the keys cover to score, with the kick going wide Merthyr had taken a 10-7 lead.
The Merthyr pack then began to win some good lineout ball thanks to second rows Ben Murphy and Lou Reed and it was Murphy that stretched Merthyr’s lead further when a lineout close to the Cross Keys line was drove on by the Merthyr pack with Murphy crashing over for Merthyr’s 3rd try, replacement full back Matthew Jarvis converting to give the ironmen a 17-7 lead.
Although Merthyr had more possession from their forwards Keys looked very dangerous on the break and they closed the gap just before half time when Prosser converted a penalty after Merthyr were guilty of offside.
Merthyr’s half time lead of 17-10 was soon reduced as Keys piled the pressure on Merthyr early in the second half as Merthyr missed tackles once again and it was Keys skipper Scott Matthews that broke away to score from 25 meters out, Prosser converted to draw the sides level 17-17.
It was now all Cross Keys as Merthyr seemed to lose their way with poor ball handling and poor tackling and it was not long before Keys took the lead thanks to a fine blind side move from the keys back line which saw wingman Matthew Prosser race away for a try to give Keys the lead for the first time 17-22 with Prosser going wide with the kick.
Things got worse for the ironmen with 8 minutes remaining as Keys drove at the Merthyr line with ex ironman Nathan Buck being driven over by his pack, Prosser converted to extend the lead 17-29 and create a 12-point gap.
But the league champions were not yet beaten and pulled off a thrilling finish which produced two tries in 5 minutes.
A break upfield from centre Teri Gee set up a ruck outside the Keys 25 with the Merthyr pack picking up and driving towards the Keys line which saw hooker Matthew Dw-
yer crash over for the try Jarvis converted and the Ironmen had closed the gap to just one converted try at 24-29.
From the kick, off Merthyr drove back upfield and once again good inter play from both backs and forwards set up a last gasp attack which saw preplacement back Rowman Ed Siggery dive over from close range to level the scores 29-29.
Up stepped top points scorer of last season Matthew Jarvis who showed great composure and nerve as his kick sailed through the post to give the champions a 31-29 win. This was a thrilling game and credit to Cross Keys who played their part in a game which they can feel a bit unlucky not to have won, but credit to the Ironmen who showed why they are champions in their never say die attitude in their late 5-minute burst.
For the Ironmen, the pack led by James Howe work hard during the first half and behind the scrum young outside half Ben Jones showed why he his highly rated as a player with a great future.
The Merthyr coaches will be happy with the win but a little disappointed on the number of missed tackles and spilled ball.
Merthyr now travel into the city to face Cardiff who had a fine away win on the opening day against Newport for a 2.30pm kick off.