LOCKE'S IN SEARCH OF MORE CUP GLORY

MERTHYR will meet Neath at the Principality Stadium in this season’s WRU Premiership Cup final after both won their respective semifinals.

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Craig Locke (with ball in hand) was Merthyr's hero

After extra-time heartache against Cross Keys in the semis last season, Merthyr booked their return to the capital after they edged out Bargoed 19-16 at Sardis Road.

And it was fitting that it should be former Pontypridd lock Craig Locke ~ back on his old stomping ground - who was the hero for the Ironmen at the House of Pain.

He scored the Ironmen’s third and ultimately decisive try, helping lead them into what will be his record ninth cup final appearance.

In a topsy-turvy encounter that saw the lead change hands six times, Merthyr were ahead 7-3 at the break courtesy of scrumhalf James Soanes’ try, converted by Ben Jones.

Josh Prosser’s penalty had put Bargoed into the lead, and it was his cross-kick that led to centre Will Keep’s try to put Bargoed back in front after the restart, with Prosser converting.