Merthyr take on fellow top-dogs

IT’S a top-of-the-table clash in Tier One of the Principality Premiership, with leaders Merthyr hosting second-placed Aberavon at The Wern (2.30pm).

Both sides lost their opening game of the Tier One phase but managed to regroup to win the following four fixtures to claim the top two spots in the league, with Merthyr sitting one point ahead of the Wizards thanks to earning more bonus points.

And victory for either side would guarantee a top-four finish and a place in the play-offs, with one round of fixtures still to play.

“We’ve had a bit of a break but we’ve been training well said Merthyr head coach Lee Jarvis.

“We’d like to guarantee a home tie in the play-offs, it is something we targeted at Christmas but we just want a top-four finish and hopefully we can get it this weekend.

“We did the hard work at the start of the season when we had a lot of fixtures away so we knew in the second half we’d have a lot more at home.”

However, despite Merthyr’s impressive home record, Aberavon head coach Jason Hyatt insists the 4G pitch will not put his side at a disadvantage.

“We train on a 4G pitch twice a week and only train on grass once a week so it will suit us down to the ground,” he said.

Wizards’ legend Richard Carter is likely to line-up for the Ironmen against his former side following his controversial exit from the Port Talbot-based club earlier in the season, which will add extra spice to the occasion.

Elsewhere, Bedwas and Pontypridd will look to strengthen their grip on the top four when they clash at the Bridge Field (5.15pm). Champions Ebbw Vale visit Llandovery (2.30pm) while newly-crowned National Cup champions RGC 1404 will hope to keep their league and cup double hopes alive when they host Carmarthen Quins (2.30pm).

In Tier Two, leaders Newport will be looking to extend their 100 per cent record to six when they take on Llanelli (2.30pm).

The Black and Ambers lead the table by five points and can secure top spot with victory but the Turks are not guaranteed of a top-four place and will be hoping for a win. Second-placed Cross Keys take on basement boys Cardiff (2.30pm), who are still searching for their first win of Tier Two. Elsewhere, play-off outsiders Bargoed and Bridgend clash at Bargoed Park (2.30pm) while Swansea end their campaign against Neath (2.30pm).