It was only the second time this season that the Ironmen had been beaten in the Championship and came after they had beaten closest rivals Swansea and Llanelli, in the SSE Swalec Cup, in successive weekends.
But with the battle for the top four spots, and promotion next season, heating up, Bargoed showed their champion form of last winter to rock mighty Merthyr and turn-up the heat on RGC 1404 and Pontypool. The north Walians picked up a priceless bonus-point win over Pooler at Eirias, 26-11, to move to within nine points of the Gwent club with two games in hand.
Bargoed, meanwhile, are in fifth place, six points behind RGC, who they host this weekend in what could be a decisive game in the promotion hunt as five clubs chase four places. Defeat for Merthyr meant their lead at the top was reduced to three points with six games left to play.
Having almost conceded a try in the opening phase of play at Bargoed, Merthyr slipped behind after only six minutes when a great counter-attack from the home side, launched by full back Jordan Purcell, carried on by hooker Leigh Meades and then finished off by centre Lewis Protheroe, bagged the first try of the game.
Matthew Hurley converted and Protheroe’s second try extended the lead to 12 points. Then came a rush of yellow cards from referee Gwyn Morris as he tried his best to keep control of an increasing physical contest.
Morris binned three players in as many minutes on the half-hour – Grant Rogers and Meades for the home side and then Ben Murphy for Merthyr. Having reached the break with their 12-0 lead intact, Bargoed defended heroically in the second period as Merthyr threw everything they had at them with the wind at their backs.
It took until the 78th minute for the Ironmen to finally get some points on the board with a try from wing Dan Parry. That set up a nervy ending for the home fans, especially when Mr Morris found seven extra minutes to add on, but they were able to celebrate a famous victory in the end.
To make matters even worse for Andy Powell’s table-toppers, second placed Swansea picked up a 19-5 win at Newcastle Emlyn to move to within three points of the long-term leaders. Although it could have been two had the All Whites picked up a fourth try in the second half.
First-half tries from Jac Wilson, Jack Perkins and Rory Gallagher allowed Swansea to race into a 19-0 interval lead, but that was as good as it got for them. In the second half the battling west Walians scored early and then frustrated their visitors for lengthy periods as they gave a great account of themselves.
Emlyn’s score came after a series of drives down the left hand touchline drew the Swansea defence and allowed a well-judged cross kick to give wing Llyr Davies a head-start it he race for a corner try.
RGC 1404 had South African wing Tiaan Loots to thank for their bonus-point as he bagged the vital fourth try in their 26-11 win over Pontypool. The visitors took the lead with an early penalty, but two first-half tries edged RGC ahead 10-6 at the break.
James Lang then stretched the lead with two penalties before his corner try set-up a chase for the bonus-point. Loots grabbed the glory and promotion could come down to the return fixture at Pontypool Park on the last day of the regular season next month.
There was no change in the fortunes of rock-bottom Llanharan, who are without a win this season, as they were thrashed 54-7 at home by Newbridge. Bridgend Athletic and Narberth played out a tense 10-10 draw in their mid-table tussle, while Beddau beat Tata Steel 22-6.
Second from bottom side Glynneath also got a rare victory, overcoming the students of Cardiff Met 33-19 at Abernant Park.
