Cardiff stay on course for title after sinking champs
CARDIFF remain on course to win a first title since 2009 as they made it a perfect 10 with victory over reigning Indigo Group Premiership champions Merthyr.
James Beal and Alex Everett dotted down in each half for the Blue and Blacks at the Arms Park to maintain their 100 per cent winning record this season.
Matthew Jarvis’ sole penalty was the Ironmen’s only reply as they were thwarted by a solid defensive performance.
Cardiff started the day 13 points ahead of the chasing pack and, despite the season only nearing halfway, it already looks like the rest of the division face a tough task in stopping them.
Only six points ultimately separated these two sides last season with the capital club just pipped to the post, although Cardiff were victorious 25-19 when they last met in the cup final.
Merthyr have been the dominant force at Premiership level and have won the last three titles but, languishing in mid-table, Dale McIntosh’s side haven’t hit those heights this year.
They had to realistically beat Cardiff if they were to stay in touch with the leaders, but this latest reverse – a third on the bounce and sixth out of 10 so far – all but ends their hopes of a fourth straight crown.
There was a notable name on the team yesterday with Teri Gee, back from a stint out in Australia, lining up for Cardiff on the right wing against his former club.
However, it was left-wing Beal who broke the deadlock with more than half-an-hour played, with his try converted by Gareth Thompson.
Merthyr full-back Jarvis split the posts just before the break with the hosts’ Morgan Allen sent to the sin bin.
Thompson slotted a penalty just after the re-start and that was the way it stayed until eight minutes from time when flanker Everett went over for a second Cardiff try, again converted by Thompson to make it 17-3.
Thompson then kicked his second penalty in the closing stages as Cardiff celebrated a hard-earned win.
CARDIFF: Tries: J Beal, A Everett; Cons: G Thompson (2); Pens: G Thompson (2)
MERTHYR: Pen: M Jarvis