If they can maintain the power and intensity of their game in the run-in to the halfway mark at Christmas, then they could be on the verge of defending their title.
Dale McIntosh’s men will be back on TV a week on Friday for the A470 derby clash against arch rivals Pontypridd after sealing an impressive 20-0 away win over Ebbw Vale last Friday night.
“We work hard week in, week out on our defence and we pay attention to detail. The players were really on point at Ebbw Vale,” said an admiring McIntosh.
“It was a big performance from us and it took a performance like that to wear down Ebbw Vale, so hats off to them. There were two good sides out there and it really was a big one.”
Ebbw got hit hard from the start as Merthyr kicked deep into the home 22 and became the latest team to highlight their defensive frailties in the face of a well organised driving line-out.
Nick White took the ball at the tail and the rest of the pack joined him in driving up to the home line.
International referee Nigel Owens spotted home skipper Ronny Kynes pulling the maul down and not only ran to the posts to indicate a penalty try, but also sent Kynes to the sin-bin.
It was still 7-0 to Merthyr at the break, but two penalties from Matthew Jarvis’ big boot soon stretched the lead to 13 points.
Then, just after the hour mark, the forwards worked their way up to the home line before releasing impressive wing Jay Baker. Jarvis converted and it was game, set and match.
“We had a really bad first five minutes, but then we steadied the ship and I was pleased we didn’t concede when Ronny was off the field,” said Ebbw head coach Greg Woods
“We were obviously disappointed to lose at home, but Merthyr have got some real power and strength up front. We are a bit battered and bruised, but we kept them to two tries.
“I was pleased with the spirit we showed – we didn’t fold and we dug in hard. We live to fight another day.
“We’ve got a week off now before a tough trip to Llandovery. Our line-out was disappointing, but we had three jumpers go off the field.”
Pontypridd moved into second place and above Ebbw and into second by hammering Cross Keys 73-12.
Gutted Keys captain Leon Andrews admitted the crushing defeat his side suffered at the House of Pain was one of the lowest points of his career.
Andrews and his men simply did not have an answer to the pace and mesmerising attacking of Pontypridd and their only ray of sunshine in a completely one-sided match was a brace of tries from right wing Rory Budina.
Pontypridd’s 11 tries came from wing Alex Webber, full-back Dale Stuckey (2), No 8 Steffan Jenkins, prop Gareth Smith, hooker Geraint Clarke, lock Sean Moore, centre Alex Knott, replacement scrum-half Huw Rees,
replacement lock Ioan Davies and flanker Alun Lawrence.
Outside-half Ben Jones kicked nine conversions.
Such was the dominance of the home side that they led 40-5 at the interval.
Apart from Budina’s efforts, one of which was converted by Will Kelly, there was little to shout about in the Keys camp who will need to regroup quickly if they are to get back to winning ways.
“We are thoroughly disappointed after that poor performance,” said full-back Andrews.
“It is the heaviest defeat I have suffered personally in my 17-year playing career and I am gutted. There was a lack of desire in the team. We trailed 40-5 at half time and we needed to dog it out and show what we are made of.
“We did not do ourselves justice. We have many things that need to be put right, but I believe we can turn the tide.”
However, for the Valley Commandos, it marked a fifth consecutive victory and definitely one of their best in terms of pace, power and sheer class.
Justin Burnell’s men now sit three points behind defending champions Merthyr. It sets things up nicely for the clash between the two at the Wern when the league resumes on Friday, November 9.
Burnell said: “This performance was very good and it gave us another five points in the league which is important. It puts us in a good place. We are lucky because we have a fantastic relationship with Cardiff Blues which means we have a huge amount of depth in the squad.
“We spoke about this at the beginning of the season because we have to play 30 league games as well as cup fixtures.
“You definitely need strength in your ranks and, happily, that is exactly what we are enjoying at present.”
Elsewhere, the points continued to fly in across Wales with the Premiership certainly delivering as far as entertainment value goes this season.
Carmarthen Quins hammered Bridgend 44-6, Cardiff got the better of Aberavon 39-12 at the Talbot Athletic Ground, and RGC brushed aside struggling Bargoed 40-7.
Lowly Swansea were beaten again – this time 23-10 by Llandovery – and Newport beat Neath 20-17.
Bedwas edged out Llanelli 28-23.
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