Clinical Merthyr overpowered Brynley Toms and his Bedwas teammates as they claimed a place in the last eight of the WRU National Cup, with a 25 - 14 win.
Merthyr took the lead in the first minute. A Merthyr rolling maul was alledgedly pulled down by a Bedwas defender and referee Simon Rees immediately awarded a penalty try. Merthyr full back Matthew Jarvis easily adding the extras from in front of the posts.
Bedwas fought hard to get back into the game and two Richard Powell penalties after 10 and 14 minutes reduced the deficit to a solitary point. Immediately after the second penalty the referee lectured both captains and gave orders for both teams to improve their discipline.
Bedwas took the game to their visitors and probably should have scored through Rory Budina but the final pass to the wingman was inaccurate and the opportunity was lost.
As Bedwas fought to get in the game Merthyr back rower Osian Davies was sin binned for an off the ball offence and two minutes later a close range Bedwas scrum brought reward for Number 8 Robson Blake who picked up the ball and powered over, Powell’s conversion went wide.
Merthyr shrugged off the loss of a man as Matthew Jarvis added a penalty in his absence and then once restored to fifteen men a second penalty to increase his team’s advantage.
Merthyr struck again after 37 minutes as inside centre Martyn Thomas exploited a gap in the home defence to cross for an unconverted try.
Bedwas came out for the second half determined to get back into the game but although try scoring chances were created wrong options and mishandling proved expensive as no further points were scored.
A Richard Powell on 58 minutes reduced the deficit but Bedwas were unable to turn possession into points.
Merthyr refused to buckle and clinched the game on 71 minutes as prop forward Nathan Trevett was driven over for a try which with Jarvis’ conversion gave Bedwas too big a mountain to climb.
