The celebratory fixture had to be moved to a neutral venue because neither club’s home ground was available for use, but that didn’t stop the Ironmen from turning on the style as they added the Championship title to the Division 1 East and SSE Swalec Cup crowns they won in 2013/14.
Andy Powell’s side came into the game with promotion to the Principality Premiership next season already in the bag and needing only one point from their last two matches to be sure of going up as champions. There was never any doubt they were going to hit their target as they ran in five tries to lead 35-5 at the break.
There were nine more tries for the Merthyr fans to savour in the second half and former Wales Under 20 outside half Matthew Jarvis eclipsed former scrum half Kevin Lang’s club record of 388 points in one season as he helped himself to a try and 12 conversions for a match tally of 29 points.
There were try-hat tricks for Terry Gee abd Aex Howman as well as two for Matt Trowbridge. Half backs Rhys Downes and Dean Gunter also got in on the act and the only try from a forward came when back row man Tom Daley crossed in the second half.
Merthyr still have one game to play, against Glynneath at home on 21 May, but the planning for next season has already begun in the minds of coaches Lee Jarvis and Garry Horrigan – as well as that of millionaire backer Sir Stanley Thomas.
RGC 1404 thrashed Cardiff Met 50-10 to move to within three points of promotion. They now need only to beat Gynneath in their final fixture to overtake fourth placed Pontypool and move up into the top-flight along with Merthyr, Swansea and Bargoed.
Inside centre Tiaan Loots crossed for a remarkable four tries as the North Walians ran riot against the students. Hooker Tim Grey, full-back Afon Bagshaw and outside-centre Danny Cross also got in on the try scoring.
The try of the afternoon came when Loots chipped over the top of a series of defenders to run in unopposed from the half-way line.
Last season’s champions Bargoed slipped up at home to relegation threatened Glynneath, losing 46-29 the week after clinching promotion. Glynneath stunned their high flying hosts with seven tries as they secured their place in the Championship next season.
Captain James Parry, wing Jack O’Reilly, hooker James Tennant, winger James Roberts, prop Nicky Boyce, lock Jonathan Griffiths and his second-row partner Stuart Leech were the try scorers. Glynneath’s victory means that Bridgend Athletic will finish in the bottom two with Llanharan, who fell to a 48-10 defeat against runners-up Swansea.
Ollie Young (2), Andrew Claypole (2), Mike Sully, Will Lewis and Josh Flye all touched down for the All Whites, who will return to the Premiership next season after a two year absence. The other game in the division saw 10th placed Narberth crushed Beddau 55-26 at home.
