The giant lock already has four wins with Pontypridd and three with The Ironmen, along with winning the WRU Challenge Cup with both clubs, and now knows his side will be in the play-off semi-finals next month after finally subduing Ebbw Vale 34-28.
“It’s always tough against Ebbw Vale and we almost came unstuck. The boys showed great character second half, but we know in the next couple of weeks that, into the playoffs, that won’t be good enough,” admitted Locke.
“Take no credit away from Ebbw Vale, they did superbly and battled for 80 minutes, but to score a try in the last couple of minutes was good for the boys and sets us up nicely.
“We were the more dominant side in the second half, played more rugby in Ebbw Vale’s half and our discipline was a lot better. But, like I said, in the next couple of weeks that won’t be good enough.”
“There’s a good spirit in the camp and the boys are confident. We’re not arrogant, we’re confident that if we turn up for 80 minutes, and not 50-55 like we have been, we’ll find out if we’re good enough.”
Having trailed the whole way through the match, a try in the last few minutes from centre Morgan Sieniawski earned Merthyr a hard-fought win in a game marred by a lengthy stoppage for Ebbw Vale No 8 Ryan Jenkins, who went off with concussion late on.
Ebbw Vale started the brightest, captain Joe Franchi scoring from close range with a minute played and he’d extend their lead further, crashing over on a brilliant angle from five metres out. Merthyr struck back immediately with their first attack of the game, as Tom Daley plunged over.
The weather conditions couldn’t contrast more to the last time these sides met at Eugene Cross Park, and Vale looked to take advantage. After a loose Josh Lewis kick, they took a quick throw-in and wing Carrick Mcdonough sped 80 metres to score.
Merthyr would have the final try of the half as Lewis fired a pass to Adam Hoskins to score in the corner. The Ironmen suffered the wrath of referee Dewi Phillips, receiving yellow cards for Craig Locke and Dan Wall during the game but Ebbw Vale failed to capitalise.
Indeed, it was Merthyr, who having missed opportunities with both Lewis and Gee, scored after star man Daley broke from the side of the ruck and found substitute scrum half James Soanes.
After that lengthy stoppage for the Jenkins injury, it was Sieniawski who crashed over from a short Lewis pass to score and steal the victory.
Scorers:
Scorers Merthyr: Tries: T Daley, A Hoskins, J Soanes, M Sieniawski; Cons: J Lewis 4; Pens: J Lewis 2. Ebbw Vale:
Tries: J Franchi 2, C Mcdonough; Cons: K Meek 2 Pens: K Meek 3
