IRONMEN AIM TO BOW OUT WITH TROPHY
MERTHYR gave themselves a chance of adding another piece of silverware to their trophy cabinet after they beat Swansea at the Brewery Field to reach the WRU Premiership Cup final.
It promises to be quite an occasion for the Ironmen and their followers when they take on Llandovery at the Principality Stadium next month.
Not only will they bid to stop the Drovers winning a potential league and cup double, but the clash will be Merthyr’s last game on such a big stage for some time.
Since earning promotion to the Premiership in 2016, Merthyr’s eightyear adventure has seen them win a hat-trick of Premiership crowns, including a league and cup double in 2018.
But their decision not to apply for a licence to join the new 10-team Elite Domestic Competition means big matches against the likes of Llandovery won’t be in their fixture list next season.
“It’s going to be a nice day out for the club,” said Merthyr joint-head coach Ian Evans.
“Llandovery have been the inform team in that league for about three or four years and they’re a very good team.
“But it’s a cup final, it’s all on the day and all you want is to sign off on a high.”
Wing Morgan Meaclem scored a try in each half for Merthyr.
Hooker Ellis Shipp was also on the scoresheet with fly-half Josh Lewis kicking eight points to secure a third national cup final appearance.
Swansea, bidding to reach a first final since 2000, led early on with captain Callum Bowden and Jamie Cox scoring for them. Both tries were converted by Rhys Jones, who also kicked a penalty, but those efforts were ultimately in vain.
“Once we got ahead it was just about trying to keep hold of it,” added
Evans. “But to be fair to Swansea, they came back at us and made it a tight last five minutes and our defensive efforts were brilliant.”
Merthyr – Tries: M Meaclem (2), E Shipp; Con: J Lewis; Pens: J Lewis (2). Swansea – Tries: C Bowden, J Cox; Cons: R Jones (2); Pen: R Jones.