Merthyr Make the Win

RGC 13 Merthyr 20
Saturday 25th November

It was a frantic opening with RGC using the quick ball to stretch the visitors.  The territory and possession was in the Gogs favour but Merthyr struck first when they shifted wide and xx crossed the line in the corner.  Gareth Thompson converted.
RGC upped the tempo and Sam Earl-Jones and Rhys Tudor carrying well.
Earl-Jones got the point on the board with a penalty from distance.
The Ironmen got out of jail when the ball bounced over Fackrell’s boot when it looked like he was in for the try.
As the minutes went on the pace increased with some quick recycling from the breakdown, and they found some gaps to make inroads.
RGC grabbed the lead and the try when Jordon Liney crossed the whitewash and Earl-Jones got the conversion.
The lead was in RGC’s favour but the numbers on the pitch went to Merthyr when Ollie Wynn was was yellow carded for the Gogs.
Scores were level at half-time when Thompson kicked the penalty.

Sam Earl-Jones was on fire with the boot with a 2nd half penalty to give his side the lead which was the only score for the Gogs for the remaining 35 minutes.
Merthyr went close  couple of times but the defensive work rescued the ball and saved the try.
Ollie Wynn broke and the ball moved through hands to Sam Stoddard to race down the wing.  The Gogs when the upped the gears were causing some problems for Merthyr, but didn’t make much yards.
Both sides knew the next score would be crucial, with discipline key in not giving a penalty away,
When the Gogs were penalised at the ruck, Merthyr went for the scrum and a couple of phases later got the try and the extras from Thompson made it 10 17 to the Ironmen .
Arthur Lennon came on for his RGC debut, and made a couple of good carries.Sam Earl-Jones then hit a penalty against the posts, as RGC looked to close the gap to a point.
RGC had a couple of grubber kicks to create a chance, which looked like the only way they would score but the ball didn’t bounce to hands.
The game was beyond RGC when Thompson kicked the penalty and it was a 7 point gap.
Head Coach Ceri Jones “I don’t normally say it or have to say it, but they were better.  They one the breakdown, they were more physical we conceded 33% of ball to turnover and we wont win games with that.
Our shape in attack and defence was good, the effort and desire was there but we just weren’t physical.  We needed to double shot, get us in the game but Paddy McBride and Craig Locke one that physical battle.
We weren’t accurate in attack, had a couple of opportunities but credit to Merthyr as they were physical and abrasive.
Ben Fry, Alun Lawrence and Lennon Greggans all ex pros, all showed the experience and it showed in the game.”