A week after his side were drubbed by Pontypridd at Sardis Road, Hyatt saw his players rise magnificently to the occasion and take ample revenge for their WRU National Cup defeat at the Talbot Athletic Ground two weeks earlier by the Ironmen.
“We needed that after the disappointments of losing a close cup tie at home to Merthyr and then getting badly beaten at Sardis Road,” said Hyatt.
“We’ve done the double over Merthyr by taking the game to them up front. We met fire with fire and I thought our scrum and line-out were terrific.
“A lot of the praise for that goes to Marc Breeze for the way he has drilled the forwards and our captain Joe Tomalin-Reeves was simply outstanding. He is the heartbeat of the side.
“We’ve got a two-week break now to recover and then we go into two massive games against Llandovery and Newport. We need to win them both if we are to creep into the top six.”
Merthyr skipper Craig Locke was sent off for making contact with the head of his opposing captain Tomalin-Reeves at a ruck in the second half. Tomalin-Reeves picked up a yellow card for his part in the incident.
A feisty first half featured only one score after 42 minutes.
Merthyr conceded yet another penalty and Rhodri Cole punished them. The champions then grabbed the lead five minutes into the second half with a try from Richard Powell who tapped and went for the line from five metres out rather than kicking to the corner. Matt Jarvis added the extras.
Prop Jordan Walters then stormed 20 metres for a try that put Aberavon back in front. Cole kicked the conversion and added two penalties to seal the win as Merthyr were reduced to 13 men when Phil Rees was sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle.
Cardiff head coach Steve Law was the first to congratulate Hyatt and his players and it was easy to understand why. He had a magnificent weekend, seeing his side pick up an 84th minute penalty try to bag a bonus-point in a 40-16 home win over Carmarthen Quins on Friday night. He then sat back to watch the Wizards not only beat the league leaders, but also deny them a losing bonus-point at the death.
It means the gap at the top, due to third placed Pontypridd’s game with RGC 1404 being postponed, has been cut to four points. Not that it was an easy ride for the Blue & Blacks, who found themselves trailing by 13 points in the opening quarter.
Outside-half Gareth Thompson sparked the fightback and the home side were ahead 16-13 at the break. They then added three more tries in the second half to take the full five points.
“It was the second game in a row we’ve gone behind by 10 points or more at the start, but there is good confidence in the group and even if we do go behind, we stick in the game. But we can’t afford for that to happen again,” warned Cardiff skipper Joey Tomlinson.
“If we want to stay in the fight we need to keep on picking up bonus points. A win is a win and we will take the bonus point.
“It wasn’t the perfect performance or spectacle, but bonus points mean everything in this league. If you want to win the title, four points aren’t enough in games and the full five are crucial.”
Aaron Bramwell insists his Neath side will never give up and can still cause a few upsets despite another defeat, this time at the hands of rivals Swansea.
The Welsh All Blacks were beaten 48-21 at The Gnoll as full-back R Rhys Williams scored a hat-trick for Richard Lancaster’s visitors.
Neath remain rock bottom of the Principality Premiership, but heroic captain Bramwell isn’t for turning.
“It’s not ideal to keep losing. As rugby players we want to win every game we play, but Neath will never give up and I still think we can cause the odd shock in this league,” he said.
“We’ve had a great deal of help with players on permit from other clubs and we’re very grateful for that.
“In the last few games I think our performances have improved. We will certainly keep going and I think positive times could be around the corner for this great club.”
“I’m happy and I think we have put ourselves in a good position. I wasn’t the biggest fan of relegation, but it’s certainly added an extra edge to this league,” said Swansea head coach Richard Lancaster
“Carmarthen Quins and RGC 1404 are now in our sights above us. We’re looking at what is ahead of us now and not what’s behind which is nice.”
Llandovery frustrated their regional rivals Llanelli as they ran out 25-17 winners at Parc y Scarlets. The home side were reduced to 12 men at one stage during the game after picking up three yellow cards.
It was a defeat that leaves Llanelli in the bottom four and needing to pick up points to avoid the drop to the Championship at the end of the season.
Bridgend, who are three points ahead of them with two games in hand, pushed in-form Ebbw Vale all the way at the Brewery Field before going down 14-10.
That at least earned them a losing bonus point, although Cross Keys stole a march on them with their 18-17 home win over Bargoed to move out of the danger zone.
Bedwas fought out a thrilling 18-18 draw with Newport, but still remain in the bottom three.
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