Bargoed stunned runaway SWALEC Championship leaders Merthyr on Saturday March 5 with a hard-fought 12-5 victory, to keep the reigning champions’ promotion hopes very much alive.
The Blues should have opened the scoring in the very first minute when outside-half Matthew Hurley broke down the blindside from a scrum five metres out, but winger Ashley Norton couldn’t hold on to the pass.
Bargoed were soon back in the Merthyr half, 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, bursting through the middle of the ruck and offloading deftly to put centre Lewis Protheroe through to cross under the posts. Hurley converted and Bargoed were 7-0 up.
The game was already physical, and the high-octane situation became fractious just before the end of the first quarter, leading to referee Gwyn Morris having to speak to both captains to calm things down.
The Blues were containing Merthyr with some staunch 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 22 metre line. Clean ball saw Hurley have a dart, but he was held up. Winger Lewis Hudd had a go with Ross Coombes in support 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 the referee flashing the yellow card three times in as many minutes. Flanker Grant Rogers was joined in the sin bin by Leigh Meades, reducing Bargoed to 13 men, but Merthyr couldn’t find a way to make the numerical advantage count before their lock Ben Murphy joined the Bargoed two on 34 minutes.
Bargoed’s defensive effort continued until the half time whistle, 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 at their backs, they pinned Bargoed back for much of the third quarter, but couldn’t break down a resolute 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 20 minutes with Merthyr becoming increasingly desperate to get some points on the scoreboard.
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.
The tremendous performance sets the Blues up well for the upcoming visit of RGC on Saturday March 12.
- Match report by Peter Greening of Bargoed RFC.