Bargoed 18-45 Merthyr
Saturday October 7, Bargoed Park
Bargoed were looking to make it two wins in a row after a convincing win at Newport, but suffered a mauling at the hands of reigning Premiership champions Merthyr.
The signs were ominous from the outset, as Bargoed’s scrum was constantly pressured and the Ironmen’s backs played with pace and width.
The home side got off to the worst possible start, conceding a penalty try within the first ten minutes.
Matthew Lewis closed the gap with a well-struck 40-metre penalty, but Bargoed were having a torrid time at the scrum, with no real possession or territory.
Matthew Jarvis’ crossfield kick put Richard Powell into the corner, before swapping penalties with Lewis, and half-time arrived with the scores a respectable 6-17.
Bargoed looked like they had a way back into the game shortly after the interval when Ashley Norton ran in from half-way, but Merthyr immediately hit back.
Rhys Downes’ dubious tap-and-go saw him score under the posts, and Ben Murphy was last up from a catch-and-drive which notched-up the visitors’ bonus-point try.
Merthyr made a one-man advantage count after a yellow card for Bargoed, before a wonderful, carving solo effort from the Bulls’ replacement Calum Jones added seven to the tally.
Aaron Pinches finished it off with Merthyr’s sixth try. Jarvis converted to make the final score 18-45.
• Match report by Peter Greening of Bargoed RFC.