Merthyr rising
Ironmen move up the table with victory over Cross Keys:
MERTHYR completed their first double of the season as they ran in five tries to secure a bonus point win over Cross Keys at Pandy park.
However, it was Cross Keys that opened the scoring as early as the first five minutes when a kick upfield was gathered by Cross Keys full back Leon Andrews who showed his skills as he dodged several tackles to score under the posts, outside half Josh Prosser making no mistake with the conversion.
This spurred the ironmen into action and after several drives for the line Cross Keys conceded a penalty, which full back Matthew Jarvis converted to close the gap to 7-3.
The Merthyr pack then began to take control of the game with several picks up and drives from back Rowman Nick White, Ed Siggery, and Phil Rees, and from this constant pressure Cross keys gave away two consecutive penalties, which saw Captain Craig Locke opt for the touch and from a line out the Merthyr pack drove Cross Keys over their line with Prop Nathan Travett crossing the white wash.
Jarvis converted and the ironmen had taken the lead 7-10.
Things got worse for the Keys when shortly after an attack just over the half way line was halted as Cross Keys number 8 Adam Powell deliberately knocking on a try scoring pass which saw referee Elgan Williams issue a yellow card.
Merthyr took full advantage of the extra man as hooker Matthew Dwyer forced his way over from short range, Jarvis converted to extend the lead 7-17.
It was now all Merthyr as both forwards and backs interlinked to keep the pressure on the Keys.
Merthyr were then also reduced to 14 men when centre Arron Pinches was yellow carded for an alleged high tackle.
Just before half time Merthyr scored their third try when a clever chip ahead from scum half Justin James was gathered by wingman Kristian Phillips who beat the home defence to score, Jarvis converted and the ironmen led 7-24.
Merthyr secured the winning bonus point shortly after half time when a sweeping move on the right-hand side of the scrum saw wingman Stefan Andrews race up field and put fellow wingman
Kristian Phillips in for his second try and the all-important bonus point.
Cross Keys never gave up to their credit and were rewarded when captain Scott Matthews crashed over after several drives close to the Merthyr line. Replacement winger Kyle Evans however sealed the game for the ironmen after he caught the restart and charged up filed, and when the forwards recycled the ball close to the Cross Keys line he was on hand to take the pass to cross for Merthyr’s 5th try.
As the game reached the last 10 minutes Merthyr began to throw the ball around and a stray pass was intercepted by wingman Nathan Trowbridge who raced away from 40 metres out to touch down, Prosser converted but it wasn’t enough for the home side who were looking for a losing bonus point and the ironmen had run out worthy winners 19-34.
For the ironmen, it was once again the forwards that laid the foundations for the win in the heavy Pandy Park conditions, with Young second row Ben Murphy winning good lineout ball, well supported by Nick White, and Phil Rees. Behind the scrum half backs James and Powell controlled play with Powell finding some huge touch kicks.
Wingman Kristian Phillips showed his pace on several occasions and looks very dangerous with ball in hand, and full back Jarvis reliable as usual with his kicking.
The win moves Merthyr up into third place in the league table, just three points behind, Pontypridd and Bedwas who they play in the next three weeks.
This Saturday Merthyr face a much improved Cardiff side at home – kick off 2 30pm.