The former Ospreys and Bridgend wing scored the game’s only try and kept his position as the leading try scorer in the Indigo Premiership so far during this season.
Harrison James had an impressive afternoon with the boot, slotting over 17 points for his side against the Ironmen. The former Cardiff Schools and Cardiff U18 product has begun to flourish in the senior side this season and was given the responsibility of guiding his team to victory with Dan Fish on the bench.
Having posted another win, Steve Law’s men have once again demonstrated they are the team to beat to win the title this season. Things might get a bit harder for them when the Six Nations games come around over the next two months, and the regions are strapped for players, but there are enough semi-pro players in the squad to match most sides
Respective No 10s Gareth Thompson and James swapped early penalties when Cardiff skipper Tom Habberfield and Merthyr flanker Paddy McBride were both shown yellow cards for an early fracas.
But both sides struggled to really create any real opportunities in a tight and physical opening first half, but a third penalty by James gave Cardiff a 9-6 lead at half-time.
After the break, ex-Cardiff points-machine Thompson replied to level the score early in the second half with his third penalty to make it nine-all before James replied to put Cardiff three points ahead.
Cross then crossed for his side’s only try, which was converted by James, to give the Blue & Blacks a 19-9 lead midway through the second half.
Merthyr hit back with a try by centre Morgan Sieniawksi, which Thompson converted to narrow the gap before James replied with another penalty to make it 22-16 and seal the win that keeps Steve Law’s side riding high at the top of the table as they seek back-to-back titles.
CARMARTHEN QUINS 14 – 22 BRIDGEND
Bridgend secured their first league win since 15 October as they completed a remarkable second half comeback to overturn an interval deficit and condemn Marc Jones’ home side to yet another defeat.
You have to go back even further, to 8 October, for the Quins only league win of the season and they now find themselves four points adrift of the Ravens at the bottom of the table having played three games more.
There is no relegation this season and former Scarlets hooker, Jones, will be hoping to find a way to stop the rot after an eighth sucessive defeat. Carmarthen led 11-6 at half time, but Bridgend retook the lead soon after the hour mark, thanks to the boot of Luke Price.
It was the home side who opened the scoring in dismal conditions at Carmarthen Park. Dylan Richards produced a neat finish out wide, following a strong start from the Quins.
Jac Wilson edged his side further in the lead, with two penalties, punishing the away side’s poor discipline.
The Quins led 11-3 just before the half hour mark. Bridgend soon hit back, Price added a second penalty to close the deficit to 11-6 at the break.
Bridgend continued their comeback with a third penalty, to reduce the hosts lead to just two points. Both teams were desperate to gain the upper hand, but had lacked the quality in the final third, as both defences stayed on top.
Bridgend maintained their early pressure in the second half, Price added a drop goal before Ed Howley completed the turnaround with a well worked try, extending the Ravens lead over the Quins at the bottom of the table.
NEWPORT 20 – 10 RGC
Both teams came into the game looking to recover from defeats in their last game and it was the visitors who got the early breaks in a game switched to the Bridge Field, Bewas, because of safety issues at Newport’s Spytty Park home.
RGC arrived with former Worcester Warriors academy scrum half Ollie Wynn in their squad for the first time, joining another ex-Warrior Theo Mayall on the bench, and with Dragons loanee Ben Moa in at No 8.
The Gogs missed out on the chance of taking the lead when Sam Rogers sent his first shot at goal past the upright and then Matt O’Brien hit the target to give Newport a three-point advantage. The home skipper then picked up a yellow card for holding back Ethan Fackrell.
The Wales U20 flanker had charged down a clearing kick and was held back by O’Brien as he went to pounce on the ball over the line. The result was a penalty try five minutes before the break to give the visitors a 7-3 lead,
Rogers then added a penalty two minutes into the second half to make it 10-3 before the home pack turned up the heat and began winning some collisions. Two driving maul tries, from prop Luke Yendle and lock Elliott Ferriman, pushed the Black & Ambers into the lead and a yellow card to Harri Evans for a misjudged aerial contest made life harder for the Gogs.
Newport made the game safe with another driving maul that ended with a penalty try and a yellow card for RGC’s Jessie Williams.
ABERAVON 22 – 8 SWANSEA
The All Whites managed a consolation try deep into injury by Wales U20 wing Harri Houston but the game had already slipped away from them by then.
