This intriguing clash between last year’s Super Rygbi Cymru and Premiership champions saw Llandovery pull away in the second half for a clear cut victory writes Huw S Thomas with the kind permission of the Brecon & Radnor Express
The standard bearers of the community game in Wales stayed in the game in the first half but could not cope thereafter with the sharpness and clever running lines of the Llandovery backs.
It was a clear indication of the difference in quality between the SRC and the Premiership, not so much up front as in the speed of thought, deed and execution of the different back divisions.
After easy wins over Llandybie and Narberth, this last warm up game proved an ideal run out for the Carmarthenshire side.
Coach Euros Evans was more than happy with the performance.
“Merthyr proved hard to break down, offered a fierce physical challenge and it was a great opportunity to give some 26 squad players – from the young to the experienced – competitive, meaningful game time”
“Such battles are vital for the development of the younger players and to bring depth to the squad.”
“The challenging and demanding nature of SRC rugby necessitates cover in all positions to balance the risk of the injuries that players can easily pick up.”
“Our opening SRC game at much re-inforced Pontypool will be a huge challenge and we will need to be at our very best.”
In front of their newly named Sir Stan Thomas Stand, Merthyr, who include new signing in back row Lewis Young, – son of the celebrated Dai – defended like demons for all of the first quarter, repelling a swarm of Llandovery attacks.
Four times the Drovers were held up on or near their own goal line and then, out of the blue, the Ironmen scored a fine try with their first real incursion into the Llandovery half.
To the delight of the cheering Sir Stan, hooker Ryan Hughes finished off some deft handling and offloading to crash through under the nose of his brother and Llandovery centre Tom, a former Merthyr player.
Fly half Ben Jones converted well but the Drovers were soon level when evergreen wing Aaron Warren swapped passes with full back Kian Abraham to race in for his 125 th try for the club.
Strong at the line out where skipper for the night Morgan Jones and Gwernyfed ‘s Geraint Powell were dominant, compact at the scrum and rugged in the loose where man of the Match Jones, No 8 Ben Evans and flanker Tom Curry shone, Llandovery took the lead with a close range effort from prop Tom Phillips.
With fly half Sam Potter kicking two conversions the Drovers were 14-7 up at the break and in control.
With scrum halves George MacDonald and new recruit from Carmarthen Quins Rhodri Lewis spraying out passes left, right and centre, the SRC champions swept clear with some thrilling rugby.
Dancing feet wing Ned Bennett and free-running centres Tom Hughes and Corey Baldwin all finished off smart handling and good support against a brave but tiring Merthyr.
With Potter and then Ioan Hughes turning the screw with excellent conversions and Merthyr’s Aled Evans yellow carded, hooker Cam Lewis dashed through for the sixth converted Llandovery try.
Skipper and lock Paddy McBride salvaged a bit of home pride when a clever grubber kick made a late score for wing Ryan Davies, converted by full back Jacob Lloyd.
“A b—— tough night for us “ said Merthyr coach and former Wales and Lions lock Ian Evans “but Llandovery are a top outfit so we can take some pride in giving them a hard game.”
“Our challenge is to retain the Premiership title and this will set us up nicely for the challenge ahead.”
Merthyr: J Lloyd; J Kathrens, C Swannack, I Evans, R Davies; B Evans, M Daniels; T Hawkins, R Hughes, R Lewis, P McBride (c), T Offa, D Phillips, L Young, J Perkins
Llandovery: K Abraham; N Bennett, G Watkins, T Hughes, Aaron Warren; S Potter, G MacDonald; J Hughes, H Thomas, T Pritchard, M Jones (c), G Powell, D Gemine, B Evans, T Curry
Replacements: C Lewis, T Phillips, L Green, H Hughes, K Jones, J Cloke, R Lewis, I Hughes, R Jones, C Baldwin, J Maynard
Merthyr
Tries: R Hughes, R Davies
Cons: B Jones, J Lloyd
Llandovery
Tries: A Warren, T Phillips, N Bennett, C Baldwin, T Hughes, C Lewis
Cons:S Potter (3), I Hughes (3)
PHOTO
LLANDOVERY LOCK MORGAN JONES SOARS UP AT THE LINE OUT IN THE42-14 WIN OVER MERTHYR (Credit Norman Harwood)