Sieniawski steals the points late on as Steelmen toppled By rivals for top-four finish

MORGAN Sieniawski was the hero for Merthyr as he crashed over with five minutes to go to clinch a 34-28 win for Merthyr over top-four rivals Ebbw Vale at The Wern.

It looked as though Jason Strange’s Steelmen were going to avenge their recent home defeat to Merthyr until Sieniawski struck, but now they find themselves six points adrift of the top four and with a semi-final plaxe out of their hands

For Merthyr, meanwhile, the victory ensured they will extend their season into the play-offs and they are still in with a shout of clinching a home draw if results go their way.

Having not led the whole way through the match, a try in the last few of minutes from centre Morgan Sieniawski earned them a hardfought win. The game was marred by a lengthy stoppage for Ebbw Vale No 8 Ryan Jenkins, who went off with concussion late on.

Ebbw Vale started the brightest, captain Joe Franchi scoring from close range with a minute played and he’d extend their lead, crashing over on an angle from five metres out. Merthyr struck back immediately with their first attack of the game, as Tom Daley plunged over.

The weather conditions couldn’t contrast more to the last time these sides met at Eugene Cross Park, and Vale looked to take advantage. After a loose Josh Lewis kick, they took a quick throw-in and wing Carrick Mcdonough sped 80 metres to score.

Merthyr would have the final try of the half as Lewis fired a pass to Adam Hoskins to score in the corner. The Ironmen suffered the wrath of referee Dewi Phillips, receiving yellow cards for Craig Locke and Dan Wall during the game but Ebbw Vale failed to capitalise.

Indeed, it was Merthyr, who having missed opportunities with both Lewis and Gee, scored after star man Daley broke from the side of the ruck and found substitute scrum-half James Soanes.

After a lengthy stoppage for Jenkins, it was Siniowski who crashed over from a short Lewis pass to score and steal the victory.

Swansea held on to defeat Bridgend 32-31 in a late-season thriller at St Helen’s.

The home side began the match on fire when the forwards created space for Gareth J Rees to race clear from a ruck to score. It didn’t take

Bridgend long to settle and Iestyn Merriman caught the Whites asleep by scoring from a quick tap penalty.

After a kicking dual between the two sides, Gareth J Rees spilled the ball forward to gift Bridgend an attacking set piece and moments later Gareth Harvey crashed over for a try from the lineout.

Swansea got themselves back into the lead when Callum Bowden picked up to score from close range after the home backs created panic in the Ravens’ defence.

An outstanding move by the Whites’ backs saw Gareth O Rees sprint up to the 22, before the ball was quickly switched to the opposite wing to send Harri Houston over for a try.

Bridgend hit back when Matt Dodd was penalised for killing a Bridgend attack and a quick tap penalty by Jakob Williams created a

platform for Luke Price to chip into the corner for Mike Powell to score.

Harvey and James Davies exchanged a try apiece, before a great move involving Price and Edd Howley sent Powell over for a late try. A late Dodd try clinched the win for Swansea, although Price had two opportunities to snatch a late victory for the Ravens, but he missed both efforts at goal.

Pontypridd’s woes continued as they found themselves frozen out at Sardis Road as RGC took home the spoils with a 35-32 victory in a game which saw the lead change hands 10 times.

RGC scrum-half Efan Jones was the star with a hat-trick of tires and his half-back partner Dion Jones wasn’t far behind with his haul of 20 points in a game that ebbed and flowed until both teams ran out of steam.

The Gogs led 24-19 at the break with all their points coming from the Jones boys. But Tommy Morgan crossed for Ponty’s second try early in the second half and Stuckey’s conversion made it 26-24 to the home side.

There was a penalty apiece before Efan Jones struck for a third time to clinch the game and the bonus-point for the visitors.

Newport took themselves to within one win of guaranteeing themselves a play-off place with a thumping 63-19 win over bottom of the table Llanelli. They face the same side in their next game.

Meanwhile, reigning champions Cardiff had to dig deep before emerging with a 23-14 win at Carmarthen Quins in the home side’s final game of the season.

The Quins denied Cardiff the fourtry bonus point, which allowed Llandovery to go two points clear at the top, although the Blue and Blacks have a game in hand.