Referee forced to intervene after fight spills over...

ONLY the prompt action of Welsh referee Gwyn Morris prevented a touchline punch-up escalating out of control during Merthyr’s 13-3 win at Ebbw Vale in the quarter-finals of the WRU National Cup.

Morris, who was teacher to Wales sporting stars Gareth Bale and Sam Warburton when they were pupils at Whitchurch High School in Cardiff, was officiating the last eight showdown.

He had to call upon all his experience to deal with an unpleasant outbreak of fighting in the eighth minute of the match at Eugene Cross Park.

Warburton’s PE teacher sent off Ebbw Vale No.8 Jonathan Davies and Merthyr flanker Osian Davies, but had to intervene again seconds later when their feud continued off the pitch as well.

The warring pair exchanged more punches in front of a packed grandstand with the commotion prompting players and officials from both teams to be drawn to the melee.

Experienced referee Morris, who has often been an assistant at European and Guinness Pro12 matches, had to race to the scene as matters threatened to get out of hand.

He managed to restore control and cool matters by ordering one of the red-carded players to his team’s dress- ing room and the other to be escorted to a place of safety until tempers had subsided.

Jonathan Davies and Osian Davies will be dealt with by Welsh Rugby Union disciplinary chiefs with both players set to receive suspensions.

Merthyr won the match with Wales international and former Scarlets, Cardiff Blues and Sale Sharks lock Lou Reed scoring the only try of an encounter ruined as a spectacle by the muddy and difficult playing conditions.

Full-back Matthew Jarvis added the conversion and kicked two second half penalty goals to keep his side in the driving seat.

Ebbw Vale’s only points came from a penalty goal by fly-half Josh Lewis in the second minute of first half injury time although they piled on the pressure near the Ironmen’s line in the final quarter.