Merthyr were confirmed as champions of the Admiral Premiership after recording a 48-24 win at Brecon.
That result at Parc de Pugh, coupled with defeat for Pontypridd at Ystrad Rhondda, means the Ironmen now have an unassailable lead at the top of the table.
It means the town has achieved a notable double triumph, since Merthyr Town Football Club lifted the Southern League Premier South title a week ago.
Hooker Ellis Shipp scored in each half for Merthyr at Parc de Pugh, with wing Dafydd Thomas also bagging a brace. Ben Jones, Finley Baker, Jack Kathrens and Lennon Greggains also scored in the eight-try triumph. Jones added four conversions for a match haul of 13 points. The win took Merthyr on to 97 points with three matches remaining.
Sam Jones scored twice in reply for Brecon with Lewis Jones also on the scoresheet for Dale McIntosh’s side. All three tries were converted by James Dixon who also kicked a penalty.
Brecon head coach McIntosh, of course, was in charge of Merthyr the last time they won the league title in 2019 which, at the time, completed a hat-trick of Premiership crowns in what was a trophy-laden period for The Wern club. Premiership Cup winners Pontypridd, now 11 points back on Merthyr with two left to play, cannot now catch their rivals after going down 39-26 at Ystrad Rhondda. Scrum-half Keian Richards and wing Kurtis Williams both scored converted tries within the first four minutes to give the hosts a quickfire start.
Then, in what was their last home of the season, Ystrad gave their home faithful a further four tries to celebrate. Centre Logan Hutchings scored twice while Cavan Davies and Jarrad Llewellyn also crossed as the visitors were hit for six in the valleys’ derby. Outside half Rhys Truelove kicked three conversions and a penalty.
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The match also gave Ystrad’s supporters the chance to offer a warm send off from Gelligaled Park for Truelove and prop David Webb, who were both playing their final home games ahead of retiring from club rugby after their final game of the season at Cross Keys on 10 May. Outside half Truelove has made 292 appearances for Ystrad Rhondda since joining in 2012 and has been an integral part of the club’s rise to the Premiership. He was also part of the Swalec Plate winning side in 2015, while Webb has worn the jersey 127 times since arriving from Wattstown in 2016 aged 33.
At the other end of the table, Narberth are now all but safe after coming from behind to secure a thrilling 34-34 draw at already relegated Newcastle Emlyn. Ilan Phillips (2), Lewys Gibby, Jonathan Rogers and a penalty try were on the scoresheet for Narberth, with Rogers also sending over two conversions and a penalty. It was the Otters’ final game of the season and also the last one in charge for head coach Liam Gadd, who is stepping away after six years in charge at the Pembrokeshire club.
The three points secured from the draw at Emlyn means Narberth are now five points clear of second bottom Bonymaen – who have just one match remaining which is at home against Merthyr on 7 May. Bony finished up empty handed from a 26-14 home defeat against Neath in their penultimate game.
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Neath secured a bonus point win through tries by winger Rhodri Wall (2), full-back Iestyn Morgan on his 50th appearance and centre Jon Bayliss. Outside half Steff Williams converted three of them to pass 200 points for the season on his 100th appearance. The hosts had full-back Lawrence Thomas to thank for three penalties – one of them a towering effort from halfway. A late try by centre Steff Pryce-Griffiths gave them outside hopes of a bonus point, but it was not to be as Neath held firm.
Neath are still battling with Pontypridd for the runners-up spot with the two sides now level on 86 points with two matches to play. They face each other at Sardis Road on Wednesday evening.
Cross Keys defeated Cardiff Met 31-22 to ensure Jake Wisniewski had something to celebrate on his 50th appearance for the club, while Bargoed were 29-19 victors at Newbridge.
