THE Ironmen overcame the Steelmen at Eugene Cross Park on a cold Friday night, as Ebbw Vale lost for the second week in a row, failing to regain their position at the top of the Principality Premiership table as a result, writes Ian Golden.

Merthyr’s 20-0 win extended their pole position to five competition points over Ebbw, who could slip to third in the table if Pontypridd beat Cross Keys at Sardis Road this afternoon.

The visitors took the lead in the fourth minute. Jay Baker used his strength to create the opportunity bursting 10 metres through the defence. Ebbw could only use foul play to stop him.

Merthyr kicked to touch and were awarded a penalty try seconds later, Ebbw skipper Ronny Kynes seeing yellow for his part in the incident.

Ebbw looked to get some points on the board, but Josh Lewis’ penalty kick swept wide. Stefan Thomas also made a valiant attempt to run to the try-line but Baker was equal to him and forced the Ebbw winger into touch.

The light rain developed into heavy sweeping rain making things a bit more difficult for both sides to get a footing and for a while, the play was mainly confined to the middle third of the field.

Dan Haymond made a burst for the line in the final minute of the first half, but an ankle tap stopped him from potentially levelling the scores before the break. So Merthyr went into half-time 7-0 up.

The visitors extended their advantage just three minutes into the second half when Matthew Jarvis, despite slipping, kicked a penalty from 40 metres out. He echoed that from a similar position in the 50th minute, taking the lead up to 13-0.

Merthyr continued to press and they went 20-0 up after Baker was sent over in the corner and Jarvis converted well from the touchline.

To their credit, Ebbw never gave up and continued to look for a try back, but time and time again they couldn’t break the Merthyr line, with Kristian Parker’s attempts for Ebbw being a stand-out.

EBBW VALE: D Haymond (A Owen 65); S Thomas, P King, R Jones, T Fricker; J Lewis, S Ireland (M Flanagan 57); R Jones, J Franchi, R Sevenoaks (C Hicks 75); K Parker, L Randall (R Clarke 40, J Gahan 70), C Regan (O Young 40, R Francis 41, O Young 45), R Kynes (R Francis 57), L Young.

MERTHYR: M Jarvis; K Evans (R Powell 40), T Gee (L Williams 39), A Pinches, J Baker (A Hoskins 70); G Davies, J James; J Howe (S Hobbs 63), R Williams (M Dwyer 63), L Jones (B Warren 72); P McBride (H Barnes 64), C Locke (J Thomas 75), N White, J Perkins, P Rees.

Tries: Penalty try, Baker. Conversions: Jarvis. Penalties: M Jarvis (2)

Ebbw Vale star man : Kristian Parker