Let’s make most of home games, says Merthyr skipper

A RUN of six home games on the spin is only an advantage for Merthyr if they win them, says skipper Craig Locke.

The double defending champions ticked off the first of those with a 20-14 defeat of Pontypridd in their top-of-the-table showdown to go six points clear in the Principality Premiership.

Gareth Davies and Sam Hobbs touched down for Dale McIntosh’s men, with both tries converted by Matthew Jarvis who added two penalties.

Geraint Clarke scored for Pontypridd, with Lewis K Williams kicking their other points.

It was a sixth straight win for Merthyr, who now welcome Cross Keys to the Wern on Friday night.

“It’s great to have the home games but we need to back that up with some results,” said Locke. “Otherwise we might come unstuck when we’re away a lot in the second half of the season. Pontypridd played tremendously well and kept coming and coming, but I think we deserved victory.”

Llandovery, in third, are seven points behind after they came from behind to beat Ebbw Vale 15-9 at Church Bank.

The Drovers trailed 9-5, but a 10-point haul in the final quarter secured them a seventh win of the campaign. Marc Jones and Rhodri Jones scored for Llandovery, with Jack Maynard kicking five points, while Rhys Jones kicked all the visitors’ points.

Carmarthen Quins are level on points with the Drovers after their 41-14 defeat of Neath. Gareth Rees’ hat-trick inspired the Quins, who were also awarded two penalty tries. Aled Thomas kicked three conversions and two penalties.

Garin Lloyd and Mike Evans replied for Neath but it was scant consolation for the Welsh All Blacks who are rock bottom after a 10th defeat from as many matches.

Cardiff ran out 25-19 victors against RGC at the Arms Park. Tries from Will Rees-Hole, Adam Jones and Joe Tomlinson, plus 10 points from the boot of Steffan Jones, were enough to secure victory.

The visitors scored three tries courtesy of Evans Yardley and two from Aron Evans.

The points were shared at Pandy Park where Cross Keys and Llanelli drew 5-5. The visitors led 5-0 at the turnaround with a try by Taylor Davies before Dylan Fidler hit back for Keys on 68 minutes.

Aberavon won 19-5 at Bedwas. Ashton Evans scored for the Wizards who were awarded two penalty tries.

Three Matt O’Brien penalties gave Newport a 9-3 victory over Swansea.