Round Up: SWALEC League Divison One

6 October 2008, 10:24 am

By WRU

These are heady days at the Wern where Merthyr have hit new heights at the summit of Division One East.

A fourth victory from five games against lowly Penallta, though as tough any this season, have lifted the Ironman to the top of the table for first time in as long as many at Merthyr would care to mention.

Certainly new head coach Martin Fowler, who stepped up from forwards coach in the summer following the departure of John Bryant to Newport, has now brought a steely edge to the whole team and not just the pack.

That character is exemplified by skipper John Difford, the prop who crashed over for the opening try to get his team on their way to victory at Ystrad Fawr on Saturday and into an early pole position in the title race.

"We're delighted to be top of the table, I can't even remember when we were last top, but perhaps even more encouraging is that we've yet to reach our full potential," said club president Doug Jones.

"We've been playing reasonably well but we've still got the wins and that is very pleasing for the future. Martin has really got the team going and there's a great spirit within the squad, who are all local lads. That makes a big difference.

"If we can stay in the top two until the end of the year, we should have a great shot at the title in the second half of the season."

Merthyr overtook previous leaders Llanharan who slipped to third after they were held 18-18 by a rousing second-half display from Caerphilly. Newbridge are second after beating Rumney 26-6.

Carmarthen Quins kept a clean sheet and their position at the top of Division One West in tact after brushing past Felinfoel 40-0.

Tonmawr beat Bonymaen 15-3 but lost ground on the league leaders after failing to collect a bonus point for the first time this season. Whitland also fell further behind following a 10-3 home defeat to Carmarthen Athletic while Cwmllynfell made heavy work of beating Dunvant 5-3 in poor conditions.