Fixture

Match not yet played or results not published. Premiership Play Off
Merthyr RFC 1st Team
VS
RGC 1st Team
13/05/2017 14:31

Match Report
13 May 2017 / Team News

Game Too Far for RGC

Merthyr ran in 4 tries in a 12 minute period to claim a place in the Principality Premiership Final.

Head Coach Mark Jones couldn’t fault the result “I thought we started well, and it was going pretty much to plan from what we discussed during the week. We had 3 or 4 good chances when we were in the lead but didn’t take them and paid the price.  Our line-out didn’t function today, and we looked lethargic with no tempo. Credit to Merthyr and they were excellent in disrupting it and were clinical when they had the man advantage. The best team won on the day in the end.

The game opened with a few penalty chances, and the boot of Jacob Bodica couldn’t find the mark on a couple of occasions, but Merthyr fly-half Mathew Jarvis opened the scoring with his boot.

As expected it was a physical opening with both sides looking to gain that upper hand. RGC were being penalised for not releasing in the tackle, and it was easing any pressure the Gogs were building.

They were also putting pressure on themselves with a couple of poor kicks as well, which was giving Merthyr some ball and territory.

When they did build some phases they made some good line-breaks with Rhys Williams, Tom Hughes and Evan Yardley all creating chances.

Taking the collisions and shifting the ball quickly was causing Merthyr problems and the opening try came with some good footwork from Botica before he passed to Andrew Williams to score. Botica added the extras.

RGC were playing some lively rugby, but the Merthyr defence was answering all the questions asked from the Gogs backline.

The RGC line-out wasn’t firing either, which meant they couldn’t build on any platform.

Merthyr picked up try number 1 after the won some turnover ball, and punished RGC when the ball found space and Edward Siggery scored. Jarvis added the extras.

The advantage swung in the Ironmen’s favour when Henri Williams was yellow carded and the home side ran in a brace of tries before halftime. Phil Reece was impressive at the breakdown all game, and he picked up a try along with winger Kyle Evans. Jarvis manged the conversions to make it 24-7 at halftime.

Merthyr started the 2nd half as they ended the 1st with a try early from Rhys Williams to make it a huge challenge for RGC.

The 12 minute try spell clearly knocked some confidence out of RGC, as they struggled to get hold of the ball for any period of time.  The set piece was again struggling and the Merthyr forwards were making the most of it.

Any of the attacking precision of the opening 30 minutes was gone from RGC, and Merthyr dealt with everting that came their way.

The pace of the game slowed as Merthyr controlled the ball, and the lead was extended with a couple of penalties from Jarvis and one from Dean Gunter.

RGC were still working hard in defence and they managed to keep Merthyr out on a few occasions, but it was telling the RGC backs were having to work without the ball rather than in hand. They did cross the whitewash with a driving maul, but were held up by a raft of bodies.

It may have been a tough day for the players, and it showed as they walked over to the fans at the end of the game, but as the dust settles RGC will look back on this season with some great memories and an historic Cup Final win which will never be forgotten.

 

 

 

 

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