Match Reports 2009/10
Merthyr (22) Tredegar (20)
October 31st 2009
Tredegar's woes continue in Division 1 when they salvaged a losing bonus point in a reargaurd action that nearly earned them the spoils. With key players still unavailable Luke James was press-ganged into the unfamiliar position of scrumhalf whilst Leigh Taylor covered for the absent Jack Dawson in the boilerhouse.
With intense rivalry between these near neighbours being the norm Tredegar got on the scoreboard first with a well struck penalty by Gary Wilkes who had a good day with the boot.. Merthyr took advantage of the visitors depleted numbers and scored two quick tries after Joe Campbell was dispatched to the bin. Rees Miles and Lee James scored tries for the home side and Lloyd Hynes slotted both conversions with Merthyr leading fourteen points to three at the interval.
With the Merthyr pack dictating matters the visitors struggled to break out of their half but rallied well when Brendan Sullivan entered the field of play and anchored the scrum. Wilkes produced the highlight of the game when his huge siegegun kicking saw him boot a penalty from inside his own half which disected the posts. A Hynes try put Merthyr further in front and his final penalty extended their lead to twenty two points. Dave Ford instigated Tredegar's reargaurd action and his try was converted from the touchline by that man Wikes. Jamie Henthorne used his exceptional speed to get yet another try and Wilkes' conversion saw Tredegar trail by two points. With Tredegar now dominating matters they could not get that final score that would have secured the win they so badly needed.
Hopefully with the break for the Autumn internationals looming, Tredegar will have time to regroup and welcome back those players that will make the difference to their Division 1 campaign. Tredegar play host to Rumney, Cardiff on Saturday 14th November.