Merthyr miss out on chance to return to top of league PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP

MERTHYR ...................... 9 RGC 1404 ...................... 23

MERTHYR missed the chance to return to the top of the Principality Premiership after a spirited second-half fightback helped RGC 1404 claim a well-earned win at the Wern.

An impressive first half saw the hosts run over three tries through Rhys Williams, Kyle Evans and Aaron Pincers, while RGC replied with three Jacob Botica penalties.

But the hosts failed to add to their first-half efforts, as a rejuvenated North Wales outfit ran over converted tries from Tom Hughes and Aaron Evans to come back and snatch victory.

A second consecutive triumph sees RGC move ahead of Bedwas in the table and level with Pontypridd on 43 points, meaning they are virtually assured of a place in the higher tier of the top-eight split.

Despite the defeat, Merthyr are certain to be there too, although they are likely to be concerned at how they managed to let victory slip through their fingers after such an impressive start.

A fine maul from the lineout allowed Williams to crash over the line inside five minutes as the hosts raced out the blocks, before RGC’s Alex Schwarz was sin-binned for an alleged straight arm.

Merthyr took vantage.

Another trademark maul allowing the ball to come out to Gareth Davies, whose dink over the top set up Evans to calmly touch down in the corner.

Botica responded with a penalty from distance, but Merthyr remained on top, scoring another try almost straight from the restart, as Pincers rampaged his way through the defence to cross the full ad- whitewash.

Two more Botica penalties punctuated yellow cards to RGC’s Huw Worthington and Merthyr’s Nick White just before the break to keep the visitors in touch.

The pace of the game slowed after half-time, with few chances falling to either side.

But the longer they kept Merthyr at bay, the more confident RGC grew, and they were rewarded for their efforts 10 minutes from time when some great work from the scrum eventually allowed Tom Hughes to go over under the posts for a converted score.

Matthew Jarvis became the latest to be sin-binned as Merthyr wobbled, and an impressive comeback from the visitors was sealed when Evans touched down four minutes from time and the Ironmen were beaten at home for only the second time this season.