Merthyr 50 vs Pontypridd 21

Despite a strong driving maul from the home side from the kick off it was Ponty who scored first when second row Josh Hawkins powered through the opposition defence from twenty-two metres out to touchdown next to the posts. Outside half Diggy Bird then converted the score.

Minutes later a long range Diggy Bird penalty extended the visitors’ lead.

Merthyr’s forwards were looking dominant and when the Ponty scrum collapsed twice under  pressure close to the try line the referee had no choice but to award a converted penalty try.

From the re-start the home side conceded a penalty on halfway and Diggy Bird again slotted the ball between the posts.

The Ironmen’s discipline was lacking again as they were penalised at the breakdown allowing Diggy Bird to again kick the penalty however from the re-start Merthyr winger Kyle Evans took the high ball and raced clear for the home side’s first try. Full back Matthew Jarvis converted from a wide angle.

Merthyr took the lead for the first time in the match just before half time as wing Kyle Evans broke through to score under the posts with full back Jarvis again converting the try. That would be the last scoring action of an evenly contested half with Merthyr going in 21pts to 16 ahead at the break.

Ponty failed to execute an exit strategy from the kick off and conceded a penalty which Matthew Jarvis easily converted. The Ironmen soon extended their lead when centre Aaron Pinches crossed for the bonus point try with Jarvis again adding the conversion.

Merthyr were now dominant and another try followed when scrum half Rhys Downes crossed under the posts for full back Jarvis to easily convert. Further tries followed when first Osian Davies then wing Kristian Phillips crossed, both converted by Jarvis.

Deep into stoppage time Ponty restored a little pride, scoring a consolation try when centre Dafydd Lockyer finished off a Gary Williams break.

That brought to an end a match in which the second half was played out predominantly in the Ponty half with Merthyr running out convincing winners by 50pts to 21.

Merthyr:

15.Matthew Jarvis. 14.Kyle Evans. 13.Tom Riley (Steff Andrews). 12.Aaron Pinches. 11.Kristian Phillips. 10.Gareth Davies (Richard Powell). 9.Rhys Downes (Justin James).

1.Nathan Trevett (James Howe). 2.Matt Dwyer (Richard Wilkes). 3.Joe Rees (Louis Jones). 4.Ben Sier (Nick White). 5.Craig Locke – cpt. 6.Ed Siggery (Jarrod Davies). 7.Osian Davies. 8.Phil Rees.

Tries: Penalty (14); Evans (21, 35); Pinches (47); Downes (52); O. Davies (58); Phillips (77)

Cons: Jarvis (14, 21, 35, 47, 52, 58)

Pen: Jarvis (42)

Pontypridd:

15.Gary Williams. 14.Alex Webber. 13.Ceri Sweeney. 12.Dafydd Lockyer – cpt. 11.Matthew Billet. 10.Diggy Bird (Declan Williams). 9.Wayne Evans (Joel Raikes).

1.Chris Phillips (Huw Owen). 2.Huw Dowden (Joe Page). 3.Jon Elley (Joe Popple). 4.Josh Hawkins (Shay Smallman). 5.Chris Dicomidis. 6.Sean Moore (Ross Morgan). 7.Rhys Shellard. 8.Morgan Sieniawski.

Tries: Hawkins (3); Lockyer (80)

Con: Bird (3)

Pens: Bird (8, 17, 26)

WRU man of the match: Alex Webber

Referee:-  Mike English