Evans-inspired Merythr run riot in nine-try win over Vale

MERTHYR winger Kyle Evans inspired his side to a crushing Principality Premiership victory over Ebbw Vale at the Wern.

Evans set the Ironmen on their way to victory with a hat-trick of tries inside half an hour, after Ebbw’s Srdan Majkic saw yellow in the second minute of the game.

Scrum-half Justin James made sure of the bonus point on the stroke of half time and fly-half Richard Powell kicked two conversions to give the hosts a commanding, and deserved, 24-0 half-time lead.

Dale McIntosh’s men continued to dictate the play in the second half and it took less than three minutes for full-back Kristian Phillips to add to Merthyr’s lead. The hosts then demonstrated their power as Richard Wilkes touched down following a superb driving maul.

Steffan Andrews was the next to go over for Merthyr as he bagged the seventh try of the night to take his tally for the season to five.

But the night belonged to Evans, who showed incredible pace and strength to sprint past the Ebbw backline and hold off strong challenges to secure his fourth of the match.

The travelling Ebbw support were able to cheer in the final few minutes as winger Majkic made up for his earlier indiscretion by stealing possession near his own try line and running the length to score.

But Andrews ensured Merthyr had the last word with a late try.