Their 19-7 victory over plucky Newcastle Emlyn contained three tries, a second half penalty try being the crucial score to provide them with some breathing space. Prop James Howe’s sixth try of the season was followed by another from flanker Osian Davies.
Sandwiched in between was a home try from Owain Powell which Dan Davies converted to level matters briefly. Matthew Jarvis also converted two of the Merthyr tries.
Second placed Swansea kept up their challenge for the title with a 16-12 triumph over RGC 1404 in Colwyn Bay. The north Walians were indebted to tries from Cam Davies and Carwyn Ap Myrddin which brought them back into contention in a scrappy affair.
The visitors’ defence came to their rescue after an early try from Jedd Evans. A telling 11 points from the boot of Ian Brooks made the difference, which means the Whites to stay in second place.
Pontypool strolled to a 50-14 victory over strugglers Tata Steel. Pooler ran in eight tries in this convincing victory thanks in no small part to outside-half Clayton Gullis, who kicked 10 points.
Josh Hurley and Jordan Williams grabbed two tries apiece and Pat Lewis and Richard Brooks were also among the scorers to ensure Pooler remain hot on the heels of top two Merthyr and Swansea.
Beddau were 20-13 winners at home to Newbridge in a topsy-turvy mid-table tussle. After trailing 13-0, the hosts bounced back thanks to tries from Sam Withers and Cody Baker – plus eight points from Withers’ boot. Lewis Hudd and Gerywn Davies got on the scoresheet for Newbridge with first-half scores.
Elsewhere, Bridgend Athletic overcame Bargoed 11-7 at the Newbridge Fields, Cardiff Met lost out 32-26 to Narberth – who leapfrog the Students into eighth in the table – while Glynneath clinched a narrow 16-14 win at rock-bottom Llanharan after a tetchy basement battle.
