Merthyr moved ahead of Aberavon into third place, as they snatched a bonus point victory against Pontypridd, who find themselves too close to the root of the table for comfort.
Pontypridd picked up the first point of the game, following a frenetic start. Joseph Scrivens added an easy three points to get the visitors going.
But Merthyr soon hit back, when Adam Hoskins beat his man to score his first try of the game. Scrivens added a second penalty for the visitors, but again the Ironmen proved to be too powerful up front as Rhys Williams forced his way over the line.
Both sides traded penalties as things began to look tense, but Hoskins scored his second try, late on in the first half to give his side a 18-9 lead at the break.
Merthyr found themselves down to 14 men soon after half time when Craig Locke saw yellow after the team had given away a string of penalties. And the visitors took advantage, as Scrivens reduced the deficit with a penalty.
Back to the full complement, the Ironmen found their way back into the game with a penalty from Josh Lewis.
Merthyr found themselves desperately searching for a fourth try. Thankfully the experienced Tavis Knoyle was on hand to put the cherry on the cake, scoring the host’s bonus point try, sending them third in the table.
CARMARTHEN QUINS 28 – 17 ABERAVON
Carmarthen Quins continued their rise up the Indigo Premiership table, with an impressive win against Aberavon, who fell to their second loss in two weeks.
The Wizards still remain in the top four, however their sixth loss of the season will give Ebbw Vale an opportunity to leapfrog Aberavon with a game in hand.
Buoyed by the raucous support from their new ‘Ultras’, a touring Argentinian team, Carmarthen scored their first points through the boot of Steffan Marshall, before winger Corum Nott added a nice try out wide.
The Wizards had been on the back foot so far but hit back with a try of their own through Aled Thomas. Carmarthen retook control of the game following a fine solo effort from Marshall.
The visitors reduced the deficit to 15-12 at half time, with Iwan Temblett adding a score late on in the half. But the Wizards’ hard work was undone just two minutes into the second half when Kallum Evans scored another try for the hosts.
Marshall controlled the game from the ten position, in the closing stages for Carmarthen and kicked two further penalties either side of a Joe Thomas try for the Wizards, ensuring a fourth win in a row for Marc Jones’ side, who continue their rise up the table, having been rock bottom at the turn of the year.
BRIDGEND 45 – 17 LLANELLI
Bridgend scored seven tries against Llanelli on their way to an impressive bonus point 45-17 victory, which sees them move up to eighth in the table.
The visitors, however, remain rooted to the bottom of the table, as they fell to their ninth loss in a row. Their last win coming against fellow strugglers Pontypridd back in October.
Bridgend’s power proved too much for a young Llanelli side, as they took control in the early exchanges.
Two early tries from Jordan Collier and a further try Gareth Harvey helped the Ravens into a 21-0 lead after just 24 minutes.
The visitors were, however, determined to make a game of it, and scored through Ioan Evans. Both sides struggled for ascendancy, but the score remained 21-5 when the referee blew his whistle for half time.
It wasn’t long after the break before Harvey added his second of the evening. The Ravens were running away with the game, just like their fly half Luke Price, who grabbed an intercept to run in under the posts.
Tom Smith rung the changes for Bridgend and it proved to do just the trick when Reuben Tucker scored a try with his first touch.
Joe Hutchings and Louis Rees scored two late consolation tries for Llanelli, but a late Connor Tantum effort sealed a resounding win for the Ravens.
