This game turned on a storming 10 minute display early in the second half by the Merthyr pack that saw 3 Ebbw forwards dispatched to the sin bin, a penalty try and a series of destructive scrums and mauls that the Steelmen’s depleted ranks just couldn’t contain. This came after a keenly contested first half in which a beautifully struck drop goal, three penalties and a conversion by Rhys Jones, added to Kristian Parker’s close range touchdown,  pushed Ebbw ahead at 19-17. Merthyr’s points came from two classic, clean bursts by centre Teri Gee, both converted by Jarvis, and it was Jarvis’s second penalty that saw the Ironmen 20-17 ahead at half time.

That rampaging 10 minutes after the break gave Merthyr their bonus point and a 34-19 lead but, once Ebbw were restored to 15 and with fresh legs on both sides, the Steelmen fought back excellently and Merthyr were fortunate not to receive at least one yellow card for illegally stopping a driving maul in their 22. Eventually, Ebbw were rewarded when patience led to skipper Ashley Sweet scoring a try that Jones converted, leaving the visitors a point short of a deserved bonus.

Ebbw will have no complaints about the result, as Merthyr’s dominant scrum built the foundation for victory. There’s plenty for the Steelmen to work on by Thursday, when Llandovery visit ECP.

The squad was:

1 Luke Garrett
2 Rhys Francis
3 Rob Sevenoaks
4 Kristian Parker
5 Ashley Sweet (c)
6 Rhys Clarke
7 Lloyd Evans
8 Cameron Regan
9 Dai Jones
10 Rhys Jones
11 Toby Fricker
12 Dai Langdon
13 Dom Franchi
14 Steff Thomas
15 Dan Haymond

16 Joe Franchi
17 Ross Jones
18 Morgan Davies
19 Lewis Young
20 Owen Young
21 Sam Ireland
22 James Lewis
23 Paul King