Merthyr captain Craig Locke has admitted rivals are standing tall in a determined bid to stop them retaining their Principality Premiership title.
The champions are eight points clear of Pontypridd at the top after the latest round of matches, but had to survive a few scares in their latest victory at The Wern – a 26-20 struggle to overcome Llanelli.
Tries from Matt Dwyer, Jake Thomas, Harry Davies and Matthew Jarvis was enough to see them home but Locke insists his side will have to keep improving if they are to retain their title and make it three crowns in a row.
“Teams seem to grow 12 inches when they come to The Wern. Every side that comes here makes it really difficult for us,” admitte Locke.
“We need to make every home game count and our consistency has dipped. But fair play to Llanelli they broke us a few times and had some blistering pace outside.
“We are delighted to get the five points, but disappointed with the performance. We are building week on week but can’t afford just to rely on our driving line-out.”
Swansea moved up to tenth in the table with a comfortable 22-12 win over Bridgend at St Helen’s. A brace of tries from Rhys Williams means Richard Lancaster’s side are now 16 points off the bottom four.
Defeat for Bridgend means they are a mere two points off the relegation zone.
Cardiff’s impressive league form continued as they came from behind to clinch a bonus-point 38-32 victory over Newport at Rodney Parade.
Next up.
Next weekend the #Ironmen🏉 return to the Talbot Athletic Ground
With one win each so far this season, who will win the #decider@AberavonRFC v @RFCMerthyr #PrincipalityPrem #teatimekickoff#LoveClubRugby♥️ 🖤💛💚 #Ironmen🏉
Image courtesy of @Normanharwood1 pic.twitter.com/NR3ZwUguGH
— Merthyr RFC 🏉 (@RFCMerthyr) January 12, 2019
The two sides shared 10 tries at Rodney Parade but, after trailing 17-7 at the turnaround, it was the clinical edge at the tee that won the game for the visitors.
“It was difficult in the first half,” said Cardiff head coach Steve Law.
“It was a little bit more competitive and a bit more open in the second half. We had more territory and we were a little bit more clinical. I think the forwards started to get better gain lines and got on top a little bit.”
Newport managed to bag themselves a losing bonus point thanks to replacement Chris Williams.
Cross Keys are now three points clear of the drop zone after their 34-17 victory at Neath. The Welsh All Blacks opened up a 10-0 lead with the teams level at the interval before the Gwent visitors pulled away in the second half to register a crucial bonus-point victory.
Ebbw Vale and RGC1404 played out a thriller at Eugene Cross Park with the Steelmen coming out with a 27-26 win. The hosts scored 17 unanswered points in the first half but the Gogs hit back after the break to take the lead before Ebbw won it late on.
Elsewhere, Carmarthen Quins recorded a comfortable 39-17 win over Bargoed in west Wales. Tries from Aled Thomas, Dale Ford, Josh Batcup, Lewys Millin and Torin Myhill was enough to secure all five points for the hosts.
Three tries in the space of 15 minutes put paid to Bedwas’ chances of overcoming Llandovery as they slipped to a 38-17 defeat.
A brace of tries from Rhodri Jones plus a touchdown apiece from Emyr Price, Dino Dallavalle and Scott Maynard was enough to get the hosts over the line. Jack Maynard also contributed nine points from the kicking tee.
Bedwas scored two tries of their own courtesy of Jordan Rees and Jonathan Davies with Joe Scrivens and Evan Lloyd kicking seven points.