EBBW Vale failed to halt Merthyr’s title charge as they suffered a heartbreaking injury time defeat at Eugene Cross Park, writes Paul Hopkins.

The home side took an early lead through captain Ronny Kynes with a routine catch and drive from a close range lineout. Dan Haymond failed to convert.

A high tackle by Matthew Dwyer saw Haymond extend the Steelmen’s lead to eight points on the half hour mark.

It seemed to spark the visitors into life as Arron Pinches and Justin James linked up to mount a dangerous attack. Fricker thought he had intercepted a pass, but play was brought back for a Merthyr penalty, which Richard Powell converted.

Merthyr’s first try came when Osain Davies stole a loose lineout throw and fed Kyle Evans, who backed his pace to score in the corner. Powell converted.

The Ebbw Vale forwards went through the phases in the Merthyr twenty-two and they were rewarded by another Haymond three pointer after the Merthyr forwards piled into a ruck offside.

Haymond kicked his side further ahead with another penalty goal after the visitors were guilty of a high tackle.

The Ebbw Vale forwards were penalised for diving over the top of a maul and Gareth Davies kicked to the corner, although Lewis Young rose to claim the lineout to allow his side to clear.

Josh Martin spotted a gap in the home defence and Pinches looked to exploit a frantic Ebbw defence, but a mistake ended the move.

The Merthyr pack camped on the Ebbw line, and although a try was initially awarded, it was controversially disallowed by the touch judge for a knock on.

It didn’t matter though as Merthyr stole the resulting scrum and got quick ball out wide for Kyle Evans to score to clinch a dramatic victory. Matthew Jarvis converted.

Ebbw Vale: Try: R Kynes (3). Pens: D Haymond (30, 55, 59)

Merthyr: Tries: K Evans (35, 80+6). Cons: R Powell (36), M Jarvis (80+7). Pens: R Powell (34)