There were no games for the Youth and Warriors on Saturday with the Warriors Division 5 cup quarter final being postponed after a pitch inspection due to a waterlogged pitch.

The 1st XV were in action though in the WRU Community Premiership Cup semi final at Pontypridd against Merthyr. 

Bargoed started well and dominated territory and possession early on and went close to scoring on a couple of occasions.

Josh Prosser kicked a penalty after 17 minutes to break the deadlock and put Bargoed ahead 3-0

Bargoed continued to pressurise but when they conceded a couple of penalties it allowed Merthyr to get into the Bargoed 22 for the first time. 

Bargoed’s defence was up to the task and when Merthyr conceded a penalty Bargoed relieved the pressure. 



Merthyr were now starting to get into the game and looked as though they would score but a handling error prevented them opening their account. 

Bargoed were working hard and winning the aerial battle with their kick chase.

However, Merthyr continued to apply pressure through their power game and eventually managed to score a converted try on the stroke of half time to make it 7-3

Bargoed made a positive start to the second half with good work by Dylan Williams and Dai Evans exposing Merthyr out wide and getting them close to the line.

Merthyr conceded a penalty and Josh Prosser dropped a pin point kick over the top for Will Keep to score. Prosser added the extras and Bargoed led 10-7.

Bargoed conceded a penalty and Merthyr kicked to the corner. The line out was contested but Corey Tucker was harshly penalised and was yellow carded.

Merthyr kicked again to the corner and drove the line-out and scored their second try and kicked the conversion to lead 14-10. 

Bargoed made some changes and were again on the attack with Will Keep going close. However the Ironmen conceded a penalty and Joe Scrivens stepped up and kicked it to reduce the lead to 14-13. 

Bargoed defended well and then managed to break into the Merthyr half after putting great pressure on their line out.

Merthyr conceded a penalty and Joe Scrivens converted it to push Bargoed into the lead 16-14 after 69 minutes. 

Merthyr struck back after another penalty was conceded and they went to the corner. Bargoed defended bravely but eventually Merthyr scored to take the lead 19-16 with six minutes on the clock.

Bargoed responded superbly and went through multiple phases stressing the Merthyr defence who conceded a penalty. 

Bargoed knew that they needed a try as they were behind on try count in the event of a draw. 

Bargoed drove the lineout and Merthyr again conceded a penalty. Bargoed took a tap penalty and came agonisingly close to scoring but failed to get over the line, with Merthyr holding out and winning the game. 

This was a great advert for the Community Premiership Cup with two excellent sides giving everything.

Bargoed RFC will be disappointed as it was a game we could have won, but there are many positives to come out of this. 

See link for Images https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNYlQEcy-S8cSRN4gN79v6yxU44OS8gRFcFuZC_I7l0f_v7CACcp3AbXC6y36wTlA?key=WHlENF9xVzlxMDVIa09sLUF3cnUxQ2I1TU14dUpn


Next week the 1st XV are back at Pontypridd in a league fixture and the Warriors are due to entertain Bridgend Athletic in a Division 5 quarterfinal cup match.