Home  ::  Previous Seasons  ::  Match Reports  :: Merthyr v Blackwood (30th April 2011) Saturday 19th of May 2012

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Match:	Merthyr v Blackwood
Date:	30th April 2011
Venue:	Merthyr
Final Score:	31 - 33
Supporters Man of the Match:
Write Up:	MERTHYR 31 - BLACKWOOD 33 This was the last game of the season and what a game to finish on, has a neutral spectator you would have loved it but has a supporter your heart was in your mouth for most of the second half, and it meant we finished fourth in the league which was no mean feat considering we had a number of senior players missing for some crucial games and young players in for the last few games, this is good news for the future. This was a very good win away to Merthyr and we got off to bright start with the first 8 minutes of pressure culminating in No.9 Mark Birkby picking up in their 22 and gliding through several defenders to score the first try of the game, which was converted by No.10 Adam Jones. This set the tone and the boys were looking comfortable but for an infringement at a ruck and the home side were awarded a penalty converted by their fly half. Blackwood came back quickly with some good interplay and then on 12 minutes No.13 Sean Emery cut a great line to open their defence, carried the ball up and with a neat offload put Blackwoods No.15 Nathan Gittins in for their second try, converted by Jones. Blackwood were going well at this point, the set piece was pretty sound with the lineout functioning really well which meant we stole some of their ball , in fact the forwards were on top in just about all facets of play, this meant that the home side did not spend any meaningful time in our half, when they did make it into our 22 and put some pressure on our defence on the 20 minute mark a wild pass from their centre was picked off by Blackwoods Nicky Williams who showed a clean pair of heels and scorched 60 metres to score the visitors third try, converted by Jones. 3-21. You could have been forgiven for thinking that Merthyr were dead and buried but they had other ideas and came back ten minutes later with a good try of their own. Blackwood were then guilty of very poor tackling which allowed the home side to go in for another try on 34 minutes scored by their winger and converted by their No.10 Blackwood seemed to loose their composure a bit and it was the home side that was in the ascendancy until a poor through in by them at the lineout in the 39th minute went straight to Blackwoods No.6 who carried well and a neat pop to the supporting Birkby sent the scum half in for the try, converted by Jones. Seemed has through normal service had resumed but again we shot ourselves in the foot when a clearance kick in our own 22 was charged down and a bad bounce on the line went in the home sides favour and the try was scored, converted by their No.10, this brought the score to 24-26 at half time. The second half started much the same as the first finished, within 5 minutes the home side scored again through a converted try which put them in the lead for the first time in the match. Both sides were guilty of miss tackles and sloppy play at times in the second half which meant it was more disjointed than the first, it started to look has through the visitors had blown the chance of a victory until the last few minutes of the game when an incredible jinxing run by No. 12 Kristan Perry (who was not playing in his usual position) lead to him touching down for a great try which put the two teams on level pegging at 33-33, it was left to Jones to kick the conversion which he did for Blackwood to once again take the lead and hold onto it until the final finish. Many people may have been happy with a win away to Merthyr but to score 5 tries and come away with a bonus point considering the fact that there were several youth players who took the field and credited themselves well plus a number of senior players missing says a lot for the quality of this side. I’m sure all Blackwood supporters would like to congratulate the players and coaches for their achievements this season. David Jones
Photos:	Kristan Perry looks for space. Adam Jones slots a conversion. Mark Birkby scores in the corner. Nicky Williams and Birkby pile on the pressure and race to the line. A very happy Nicky Williams crosses for his try. Despite all the attention from half of Merthyr - Nathan Gittings gets the score. No way through this time - Charlies collared and gets a thump in the balls. Lloyd Exton throws himself into the tackles. Try number 2 for Mr Birkby ! Is this the loudest linesman in Wales ? Marc Lyn Gwilt secures possession. Kristan Perry steals the win in the dying moments for Blackwood.