Fixture

Bargoed RFC | 1st Team 12 - 5 Merthyr RFC | 1st Team
Matthew James Hurley
Conversion 1
Robert Prothero
Try 2

Match Report
06 March 2016 / Team News

Bargoed 12 Merthyr 5

 

Bargoed stunned runaway Championship leaders Merthyr with a hard fought but well deserved victory to keep the reigning champions' promotion hopes very much alive. 

The Blues should have opened the scoring in the very first minute, outside half Matthew Hurley broke down the blindside from a scrum five metres out but wing Ashley Norton couldn't hold on to the pass and Merthyr had a defensive scrum from the knock on. The Bargoed eight turned over possession but a box kick was dealt with and Merthyr cleared.

Bargoed were soon back in the Merthyr twenty two and scored with just five minutes on the clock. Full back Jordan Purcell fielded a long kick and ran back at the Merthyr midfield. He set up a ruck and hooker Leigh Meades took the opposition by surprise by bursting through the middle of the ruck and offloaded deftly around the back of a tackler to put centre Lewis Protheroe through to cross under the posts. Hurley converted and Bargoed were 7-0 up.

The game was already physical but became fractious just before the end of the first quarter and referee Gwyn Morris spoke to both captains to calm things down.

The Blues were containing Merthyr with some staunch aggressive defence, shutting down the space and harrying the Ironmen at every opportunity. The second score came just before the half hour. Hurley kicked to touch for a lineout just inside the Merthyr twenty-two. Clean ball saw Hurley have a dart but he was held up. Wing Lewis Hudd had a go with Ross Coombes in support and flanker Grant Rogers went close  before Leigh Meades spotted Lewis Proheroe out wide and put in a lovely flat pass for the centre to cross for his second. The try went unconverted but Bargoed were well worth their 12-0 lead.

The game spilled over again with Gwyn Morris flashing the yellow card three times in as many minutes. First to go was flanker Grant Rogers on 31 minutes, quickly followed by Leigh Meades reducing Bargoed to thirteen but Merthyr couldn't find a way to make the numerical advantage count before lock Ben Murphy joined the Bargoed two on 34 minutes.  

Bargoed's defensive effort continued until the half time whistle went with the home side going off to huge acclaim by the home supporters 12-0 up.

Merthyr came out for the second  half with all guns blazing. With the wind on their backs they pinned Bargoed back and camped in their twenty-two for much of the third quarter but still they couldn't break down a resolute Bargoed defence. The Blues eventually lifted the siege with their line intact and worked their way upfield.

The arm wrestle continued for much of the final twenty with Merthyr becoming increasingly desperate to get some points on the scoreboard and it eventually happened for them in the 78th minute. A rare missed tackle allowed Merthyr to create some space out wide and wing Daniel Parry got their first and only try which went unconverted.  Referee Morris played 7 minutes of time added on but try as Merthyr did they couldn't subdue a rampant Bargoed fifteen who finished the stronger side.

This was a tremendous performance and sets the Blues up well for the visit of RGC next weekend.

 
 
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