Heavy shift helps Cardiff down the champions

CARDIFF defeated defending Premiership champions Merthyr at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday afternoon.

This local derby was an extremely full blooded and scrappy affair, with both sides’ defence cancelling each other out on a sunny day in the capital.

Both teams scored two tries apiece, but it was the forward power of the home team that proved to be the deciding factor in the game. Cardiff’s scrum, in particular, was very strong. Giving no sign of what was to come, it was the Ironmen who achieved the first score with scrum-half Justin James crossing in the corner.

The first half was extremely scrappy with both sides cancelling each other out and the home side trailing 3-5 at half-time.

The Ironmen started the second half as they finished the first with Mathew Jarvis crossing in the corner.

Merthyr’s second try kicked the home side into gear with Luke Crocker getting on the end of a good backs move to score in the corner.

Ben Thomas’ precision from the kicking tee kept Cardiff ahead, with the game sealed when Patrick Lewis raced down the corner to put Cardiff ahead.

With little between the two teams, outside-half Thomas sealed victory for the home side with three points from a penalty following an infringement at the ruck area from the visitors. Star man Patrick Lewis - Cardiff