EBBW Vale staged a strong second half fightback after slipping 20-0 adrift in the first quarter but Merthyr still managed to record a precious win against the Principality Premiership champions.

Outside half Josh Lewis spearheaded the Vale revival grabbing a brace of tries soon after the restart – the first a stunning effort after a 60 metres solo run. Lewis also kicked a conversion and a penalty goal to add to the penalty and conversion he kicked in the first half. V

ale’s other scorer was inside half Chris Thomas who nipped over for a first half try.

The men who put Vale to the sword were inside half Rhys Downes who crossed for a hat-trick of tries and full back Matthew Jarvis who collected 18 points through four penalty goals and three conversions.

One of Jarvis’s penalties after 77 minutes was struck from five metres inside his own half and made the game safe for his side but Downes put the icing on the cake with his injury-time touchdown. Merthyr’s other points came from a wing Kyle Evans try after seven minutes.

This match was dubbed as the “metallic showdown” with the Steelmen of Ebbw Vale – last season’s Principality Premiership champions – facing the now formidable Merthyr Ironmen who had run away with the Championship title.

Ebbw Vale were hoping to extend their three-game winning run following successes against Newport, Bridgend and Neath while Merthyr had chalked up their fourth win in five outings after hammering Newport 50-26 at Rodney Parade on 29 September.

The visitors were also having their first taste of the season of playing on a 3G all-weather surface. The teams observed a minute’s silence before the kick-off to mark the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster.

Merthyr made a rip-roaring start leading 20-0 after the first quarter. Wing Evans opened the scoring with a seventh minute try after Siggery won good ball at a lineout and Dacey and Jarvis combined smoothly in midfield. Jarvis converted. Downes crossed for another touchdown two minutes later, again converted by Jarvis who added two penalty goals.

Vale’s forwards eventually established a good position near the home line and Thomas snapped up a 25th minute touchdown converted by Lewis who added a 36th minute penalty goal.

Merthyr had the final say of the first half when Downes grabbed his second try which Jarvis converted to make the interval score 27-10 in their favour. Vale looked a different outfit in the second half but they still could not overcome the enthusiastic Ironmen.

Scorers: Merthyr: Tries- K Evans , R Downes (3) Pens- M Jarvis (4). Cons – M Jarvis (3)

Ebbw Vale: Try – C Thomas J Lewis (2) Pen – J Lewis (2) Con – J Lewis (2)

Merthyr: M Jarvis; K Evans, G Dacey, A Pincers, M Trowbridge; D Gunter, R Downes; J Howe, R Williams, G Powell (N Buck 54), B Murphy, C Locke, capt., N White (O Jones 67), E Siggery and T Daley.

Ebbw Vale: D Haymond; C Levesley (R Gardner 78), N Preece, D Langdon, J Rosser; J Lewis, C Thomas (B Ellis 78); I George (R Jones 67), M Williams (J Franchi 29), G Robinson (R Sevenoaks 67), D Hudd, capt., A Sweet (E Doyle 20), J Jacas, R Kynes and R Clarke.

Referee: Mr Craig Evans (WRU)

Argus Star man: Josh Lewis (Ebbw Vale)