WRU Chairman Gareth Davies was on hand to see how the Merthyr rugby revolution is taking shape and he was to a 10 try thriller. There were eight tries for the home fans to savour as Andy Powell’s men made it three out of three at the start of the campaign.
There was even an audacious chip over the top from former Wales and Lions No 8 Powell to create a try for scrum half Martin Luckwell as Merthyr turned on the style for their star guest. It was the second week in a row that the Ironmen had topped 50 points and it looks as though their trip to fellow unbeaten side Swansea on 24 October could be vital in determining who wins the title this season.
Luckwell ended up with two of the eight tries and livewire flanker Osian Davies also grabbed two. The pick of the tries was the last won from full back Jarvis, who ran in from 50 metres before adding a seventh conversion to complete the scoring.
To their credit RGC battled from start to finish and picked up two tries themselves, from No 8 Huw Worthington and skipper Meredydd Francis, both of which were converted by Lang.
Swansea had to pull out all the stops to break down a tough Tata Steel outfit at St Helen’s before romping away to a comprehensive 41-17 victory in the end. It was only 10-7 to the home side at the break, skipper Dai Watts crossing for the first of five tries after only two minutes and the visitors levelled the scores at 10-10 with an early penalty in the second half.
But experienced lock Sam Kiley came on to make a major impact as he powered over for the try that edged the All Whites ahead once more. That was quickly followed by another from Rory Gallagher at the posts.
Jac Wilson converted both to make it 24-10 and then improved Paul John’s bonus point try and Tom Williams’ touchdown before kicking a penalty to complete a match haul of 16 points. Tata picked up a late consolation penalty try, but left empty handed as they lost for the first time.
Reigning champions Bargoed notched their first win of the season with a 38-20 triumph at Cardiff Met. The students led in the first-half thanks to tries from wing Robin Guest and centre Chay Smith, one of which George Simpson converted.
The champions lost centre Darren Humphries to the sin-bin early on and could only muster a try by Rhys Morgan, which Steve Lang converted, in the opening half. After the break, though it was a very different story.
The students managed to grab a third try through full back Ollie Glasse, but there were five more from the visitors. Andrew Coupe, Lewis Wayman, Lee Pearson and Humphries crossed and there was a penalty try as well. Phil rice added three conversions.
Newbridge centre Scott Williams and Pontypool prop Garyn Harris were both sent off by referee Aled Evans in the game at the Welfare Ground, where Pontypool battled to a 25-17 victory. Tom Hancock was the hero for the visitors as he scored one of their three tries and kicked 10 points.
Kieran Meek scored a try, kicked two conversions and penalty for the home side, while Rhys Humphries scored the other try.
Newcastle Emlyn picked up a losing bonus point with the last kick of the game when Dan Davies landed his second penalty of a tight game against Bridgend Athletic. The visitors emerged triumphant, 23-18, with the home side reduced to 13 men at the death with Jack Parry and Alun Howells in the sin-bin.
Athletic started well with a try from flanker Ben Howe and increased their lead despite being down to 14 men when wing Alex Fenton was sent to the bin. Prop Wayne Foolkes drive over for a second try for the visitors and Lewis Evans added a second conversion.
Llyr Jones raced 75 metres to cross for a dramatic try for Emlyn to add to a Davies penalty. That made it 14-8 to the visitors at the break and they consolidated their lead with a hat-trick of penalties from Evans in the second half.
Despite a charging try from French prop Xavier Garmendia, which Davies converted, the home side were unable to notch a second win of the season.
