Monthly Archives: December 2022
Steelmen win a tough Gwent derby.
Ebbw Vale come out on top for the second time this season in the battle of the Gwent derby.
An early penalty for the home side by outside half Evan Lloyd hit the upright. Winger Carrick McDonough was unable to gather the rebound.
With the away side forwards coming more into the game, Newport fly half Will Reed slotted a penalty for the first points of the game.
Further penalties awarded to both sides came to nothing until the Steelmen’s prolific points scorer Lloyd kicked a penalty. No further points were added to the first half, making the game all square at half time.
Half Time: Ebbw Vale 3-3 Newport
Early in the second half Newport were handed a late Christmas present when a fortunate bounce of the ball from a clearance kick was touched in flight and resulted in the away side’s Ryan Woodman scoring the first try of the game. Outside half Reed was unable to add the extra’s.
With the home side seeing more of the ball, Ebbw were originally awarded a scrum and then a penalty, with the referee dishing out a yellow card to the Newport number four Craig Hudd.
Two penalties for the away side in the home twenty-two saw them initially decline the three points. However, after not being able to take advantage the referee awarded a further penalty, which Reed successfully converted to put the away side eight’s points ahead.
With the home side’s forwards applying pressure in the Newport twenty-two, a superb long miss pass by the home side’s number ten Evan Lloyd provided space for Lewis Young to put Morgan Richards in at the corner. Lloyd magnificently kicking the conversion from the touchline.
Further penalties to both sides came to nothing. However, with the home side in their own half, a smartly timed break by Lloyd from just outside the team’s twenty-two sees the Steelmen’s number ten show a clean pair of heels and pass the ball to speedster McDonough who shows a turn of pace to go over the line for a well worked try. Lloyd was unable to add the extras on this occasion.
From a ruck, a kick of the ball by the home side’s superb scrum half Jonathan Evans saw the ball roll over the try line. The covering Newport player passed the ball inside to a supporting player who dropped it and inside centre Dom Franchi was alert and dived on the ball to score the home side’s third try. Lloyd adding the extras.
In the closing minutes the referee awarded a penalty to Newport in the Steelmen’s half, which was kicked to the corner. From the resulting lineout the away sides forwards formed a rolling maul and crashed over for their second try of the game. Outside half Reed successfully adding the two points.
Full Time: Ebbw Vale 22-18 Newport
Distillery of Wales MOTM: Jonathan Evans
Speaking with Ebbw Vale head coach Jason Strange after the game, Jason was really pleased with the result. He said any win against Newport is a good result and without putting in the best performance, it was pleasing to find a way to win. He was happy that the team collected the four points, in what was an important game for his side.
Reflecting on the win, the home side`s co-captain Rhys Francis was pleased to get the win over Newport. Rhys thought the team struggled during the first half. Even though the scrum was dominant, the team were not able to obtain any first phase play and did not turn up in terms of the attack. However, Rhys believed the defence was really solid and that showed with the team’s character and resilience and the team dug deep to come away with the victory.
Rhys believed there is work to do with the lineout, If the team can get that right, the team can get some more first phase ball. The squad have been working on the more physical side of the game and it showed in the second half.
We also spoke to the Newport captain Matt O’Brien. Matt thought it was a really close game. The first half he felt the away side played ok. However, they did not get the rewards they deserved.
In the second half, Matt thought the team capitulated slightly, which resulted in a lot of errors. This played into Ebbw Vale`s hands and they capitalised on it.
Finally, Matt added he believed the team could not make the amount of errors they did and come out on the right side of the score board, they chased the game, tried to do a little bit too much, and the best side won on the day.
Match report by Alex Kinsella- Evans
Images by Curtis Thomas Photography
Part 3 The Big One – Mark Jones
We hope you have all had a great Christmas with your family, but it’s time for the last interview before the boxing derby against Newport tomorrow.
Tonight Alex Kinsella- Evans speaks with former Ebbw Vale legend Mark Jones! There are no words to describe Mark’s interview, so we will leave it there and let you enjoy.
See you all tomorrow to Pack The Bank!
#Steelmen
Ebbw Vale v Newport
Monday 26th December
2:30pm
Ciner Glass Community Stadium
Tickets https://www.evrfc.co.uk/product/26th-december-newport/
Christmas Eve’s interview for the boxing derby against Newport is with former Ebbw Vale and Newport scrum half David Llewellyn. We hope David’s interview will take you back to these big fixtures on boxing day’s gone by and get you ready for Monday’s big game.
Alex Kinesella Evans caught up with David and you can listen to what he had to say on past derby’s against Newport.
#Steelmen
Ebbw Vale v Newport, Monday 26th December, 2:30pm Ciner Glass Community Stadium, Ebbw Vale.
Tickets https://www.evrfc.co.uk/product/26th-december-newport/
We bring to you some big game interviews and preview the boxing derby against Newport with a couple of questions to former Ebbw Vale club legends. We hope these interviews take you back to these big fixtures on boxing days gone by and get you ready for Monday’s big game.
Alex Kinesella Evans caught up with Alun Harries and you can listen to what Alun had to say on past derby’s against Newport.
#Steelmen
Ebbw Vale v Newport, Monday 26th December, 2:30pm Ciner Glass Community Stadium, Ebbw Vale.
Festive Team News
This is your Ebbw Vale side to take on Newport in Monday’s Boxing Day Derby at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium, it is a 2:30pm kick off in the Indigo Welsh premiership and the side is as follows
Let’s Pack The Bank and shout on the Steelmen whilst watching some festive rugby with friends and family this Christmas
Tickets can be pre purchased here https://www.evrfc.co.uk/product/26th-december-newport/
#FeelTheSteel #SteelMen
SIDE
15 Morgan Richards
14 Carrick McDonough
13 Ethan Phillips
12 Dom Franchi
11 Amir Jiwa Walji
10 Evan Lloyd
9 Jon Evans
1 Luke Garett
2 Joe Franchi (c)
3 Adam Court
4 Dylan Bartlett
5 Andrew Mann
6 Gethin Williams
7 Lewis Young
8 Ryan Jenkins
Replacements From
Rhys Francis
Joel Harries
Harry Drane
Chad Thomas
Morgan Thomas
Joe Thomas
Mathew Flanagan
Kieran Meek
Ryan Davies
Boxing Day Preview
Ebbw Vale vs Newport by Alex Kinsella-Evans
We spoke to head coach Jason Strange. Reviewing the season so far, Jason said “As a club we are really pleased with the first half of the season, we have come a long way in the last couple of months both on and off the field.
As coaches we want the team to make our supporters proud and be as good as we can be. If we do this, we will win more games than we lose. We know how we want to be seen and what type of club we strive to be, that is clear by the type of characters we recruit.
The supporters have got behind the team with their passion and through everyone`s hard work the club is going in the right direction”.
Looking forward to the Boxing day derby Jason said “This is the biggest game of the season for us so far and a perfect game to end 2022. We are preparing for a tough challenge against quality opposition and hoping it will be a great occasion in front of a large crowd on Boxing Day.
It will be a great atmosphere, certainly one we are looking forward too and I’m sure the opposition will feel the same. Newport are a team with good resources and a talented squad. We expect them to have a number of Dragons full time players in their squad, which makes the challenge even more exciting.
We had a close encounter with them in the first game of the season which we managed to win. However, both teams have improved their game a lot since so it promises to be another close contest.
The team will need to show the same effort and resilience they have shown all season. We will go into the game as underdogs but as always will remain focused on ourselves and committing fully to each other and the club ”
Finally, Jason, fellow management and players would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Ebbw Vale v Newport
Monday 26th December
KO 2:30pm
Ciner Glass Community Stadium
Tickets https://www.evrfc.co.uk/product/26th-december-newport/
Our away fixture against Llanelli has been moved to Thursday, 5th of January. It has been moved as this game will now be show live on S4C’s Clic, Facebook and YouTube channels. The game will kick off at 7:30pm
Our home fixture against Llanelli has been rearranged for Friday, 3rd February with a 7:30pm kick off.
We are over the moon with the amount of donation’s that have been given to support our appeal for BLAENAU GWENT FOODBANK & +14 teenager’s.
To the supporters, volunteers, players, staff and junior age groups a huge thank you 👏🏻🇭🇺 you have been amazing and should be proud of yourselves.
We have donated over 190kg of items to help others this Christmas 🎅🏻🎁
Here are a few pictures of players from the youth, seniors and staff handing over the donations yesterday
🇭🇺 #EbbwVale #BlaenauGwent #givingbacktothecommunity
Competition
“Win 2 tickets to the High Flying Birds concert at Caldicot Castle on Sat Aug 19th 2023.
To win just answer correctly the following question: Noel Gallaghers’ former band Oasis recorded several of their earlier hits across three commercial studios in Monmouthshire in the ’90’s. Name just one of them?
To register your answers email marketing@evrfc.co.uk by Monday 19th Dec 2022 at 6pm.
The winner will be notified by EVRFC after the closing date
After a pitch inspection this morning, today’s game against Merthyr is postponed due to the weather conditions.
Food Bank Collection
If you still would like to donate to the food bank and +14 collection, Gareth is down the club now until 12:30 to drop items off.
Ebbw Vale Side To Play Merthyr
The Ebbw Vale side to take on Merthyr this Saturday in the Indigo Welsh premiership at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium is as follows.
Let’s Pack The Bank and shout on the Steelmen!
Keep checking our social media and website for updates
TEAM
15 Morgan Richards
14 Carrick McDonough
13 Ethan Phillips
12 Dom Franchi
11 Amir Jiwa Walji
10 Kieran Meek
9 Jon Evans
1 Luke Garett
2 Joe Franchi (c)
3 Harry Drane
4 Dylan Bartlett
5 Andrew Mann
6 Chad Thomas
7 Gethin Williams
8 Ryan Jenkins
Replacements
16 Rhys Francis
17 Lewis Kinsella
18 Adam Court
19 Curtis Gregory
20 Morgan Thomas
21 Matthew Flanagan
22 Evan Lloyd
23 Lewis Bates
Steelmen Support It’s Community At Christmas
Christmas is a special time, but a time that can also be hard for some. Not knowing where your next meal is coming from, worrying about finances to buy presents. So this Christmas the players and staff of Ebbw Vale RFC have decided to give back to it’s community.
The club’s playing and coaching staff will be supporting the Blaenau Gwent food bank appeal and the council’s +14 teenage Christmas campaign. We will be donating items of food and other gifts that can bring a smile or a meal to someone on Christmas Day and beyond.
Jason Strange, Head Coach of Ebbw Vale commented:
“This year we will try and make a positive difference within our community, especially at this special time of year and the current events taking place. The support we have from the community is fantastic and allows us to have the opportunity to help those who need it over the Christmas period “
Joe Franchi, Ebbw Vale RFC Captain said;
It’s great that the club is supporting +14 and the local food bank. The boys are very aware of how important the rugby club is to the local community and we all know how the local community supports the rugby club. With everything going on with the cost of living crisis, and at a time of giving, we thought it would be only right for us to donate food and toiletries to these amazing charities who support some of the most vulnerable people in our local community.
If any supporter’s who are attending Saturday’s game against Merthyr would like to donate to the appeal your donation would be gratefully received. You can drop off any items to the main stage in the clubhouse between 12-2pm and ask for Gareth or make contact before hand via marketing@evrfc.co.uk or 07974873683
Teenage +14 Appeal Items
Selection boxes
Boxes of chocolates
Boxes of biscuits
Hampers for a Christmas dinner.
Playstation or Xbox voucher
Vouchers for hair salon or nail salon
Bluetooth speaker
Power banks
Headphones
Toiletry sets
Perfume/Aftershave
Food Bank Items:
Instant Mash
Rice
Pasta
Powdered Milk
Milk UHT
Coffee
Tea Bags
Sugar
Tinned / Packet Custard
Tinned Rice Puddings
Tinned Sponge Puddings
Tinned Beans
Jar’s Of Sauce
Tinned Fruit
Small Tinned Meat
Small Tinned Potatoes
Tinned Tomatoes
Tinned Soup
Tinned Spaghetti
Squash Small or Large Bottles
Crisps & Snacks
Biscuits
Pot Noodles
Jam’s
Chocolate Spread
Children’s Sweets
Small or Large Chocolate Bars
Shaving Foam or Gel
Razors Disposable
Shower Gel
Shampoo / Conditioner
Men & Women’s Deodorant
Wet Wipes
Nappies sizes 5, 5+, 6, 6+
Washing Up Liquid
Washing Powder or Tablets
Cat Food
Dog Food
Mince pies
Christmas Cake
Pickles
We would like to congratulate Ryan Davies and Walker Price who are currently training with the Wales U20’s squad.
The U20’s are currently in the middle of 6 day training camp which will finish off with a fixture against Scotland on Saturday at Cardiff Arms Park. 11:30am KO
We wish them all the best and are proud of their selection.
Before training we sat down with in form flanker Chad Thomas.
Reflecting on the Pontypridd game, Chad was pleased with the team’s performance and great start to the season . Chad said the mood in camp is really good, spirits are high, the boys are happy and excited going into the Merthyr game. However, Chad acknowledged Ebbw will need to be as physical as usual, as Merthyr have a physical pack.
We are hoping that the Ebbw Vale supporters will come out in their droves for this huge festive fixture against Merthyr on Saturday and shout on the boys.
By Alex Kinsella-Evans
On Saturday it’s the clubs annual Christmas Jumper day, so don your best festive jumper and join in the fun. There will be a prize for best jumper, this will be chosen at random.
Ebbw Edge Sardis Nail Biter
By Alex Kinsella-Evans
Ebbw come away with the points after a hard fort battle at Sardis Road, where both sides had a player yellow carded.
Straight from the kick-off, Pontypridd were put under pressure as they were pushed back over their own goal line, which resulted in a goal-line dropout.
The first try of the game came through Ebbw Vale’s outside centre Ethan Phillips, with the Steelman’s number ten Evan Lloyd having a rare off day with the boot by missing the posts.
With the home side starting to get into the game, they were awarded a penalty due to Ebbw creeping offside. Ponty’s number ten Ben Burnell putting three points on the board for the home side.
The Steelmen were awarded a penalty from inside the Ponty 10 metre line. However, outside half Lloyd was unable to add the three points. A further attempt at goal from another penalty also sailed wide.
A second try for the away side came from a subtle kick through by Lloyd, which was collected by the Steelmen’s number fourteen Carrick McDonough who ran in at pace to score the try. Lloyd again unable to add the extra’s.
With the home side under increased pressure, from a scrum in the Pontypridd twenty-two, Ebbw’s winger McDonough cut a good line through the home defence, leaving a gap for former Ponty fullback Morgan Richards to crash over for the away side’s third try of the game. Lloyd adding the extras.
Ponty got back into the game on the stroke of half time after spending some time in the away side’s twenty-two. The home side were awarded a penalty after an infringement in the scrum, which was kicked to the corner. Pontypridd won the lineout; however, the maul was initially halted. Further good, combined play by the Ponty backs and forwards saw the home side number two Rob Jones crashing over for his side’s first try of the game. Burnell successfully kicking the conversation.
HT: Pontypridd 10 – 17 Ebbw Vale
With the home side in the ascendancy at the start of the second half, Ebbw fullback Richards was awarded a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on inside the Steelman’s twenty-two. From the resulting penalty, Ponty’s number two Jones scored his and the home sides second try. The home side’s number ten, Burnell unable to kick the conversion.
The referee awarded a penalty to the away side. A kick into Ponty’s twenty-two sees the Ebbw forwards form a maul that came to nothing.
With the Steelmen having more of the ball, the home side’s former Ebbw centre Jordan Howells was awarded a yellow card due to an infringement inside the home twenty-two. However, the passage of play led to no further points being added to the scoreboard.
With the game being played at a high pace, the referee awarded Pontypridd consecutive penalties inside the away side’s half. With both sides making changes, Ponty scored their third try of the game. Burnell adding the conversation.
The Steelmen were awarded a penalty inside the home side’s half. Outside half Lloyd slotting the penalty over to make it a two-point game.
With the game going into the last fifteen minutes, the referee awarded Ebbw two further penalty`s which Lloyd uncharacteristically missed. With only a few minutes left, the away side were provided a chance to win the game from a penalty awarded at a scrum. Replacement flyhalf Kieran Meek superbly slotted the penalty to provide the final points of the game.
The referee awarded the away side a penalty with the final kick of the game. However, Meek sent the ball wide of the posts.
FT: Pontypridd 22- 23 Ebbw Vale
After the game, Ebbw’s head coach Jason Strange was really pleased with his team’s performance in the first half and was delighted to secure the win. He was particularly pleased with how the team found a way to win. Whilst acknowledging there was room for improvement, Jason was happy with some of the things he saw out on the field. He also paid tribute to Pontypridd and thought they did well in the second half to come back into the game.
We also spoke with Ebbw’s joint captain Joe Franchi. Reflecting on the game, Joe was pleased with the team’s first half performance. He acknowledged it was disappointing to give away a try just before half time and thought in the second half, the team got the on the wrong side of the referee with ill-discipline. The substitutions who came on had a positive impact and helped get Ebbw back into the game. Joe was happy with replacement Keirin Meek, who slotted over the penalty to win the game. Finally, Joe was happy the boys managed to hold out especially as Sardis Road is never an easy place to come to and was looking forward to the Merthyr game next week.
Gallery Here https://www.evrfc.co.uk/gallery/pontypridd-v-ebbw-vale/
Ebbw Vale Side To Play Pontypridd Away
The Ebbw Vale side to take on Pontypridd this Saturday in the Indigo Welsh premiership at Sardis Road, 14:30pm is as follows. We are calling on all Ebbw Addicts to come down to Sardis Road and shout on the Steelmen.
TEAM
15 Morgan Richards
14 Carrick McDonough
13 Ethan Phillips
12 Dom Franchi
11 Amir Jiwa Walji
10 Evan Lloyd
9 Matthew Flanagan
1 Charley Kearns
2 Joe Franchi (c)
3 Dave Whiting
4 Dylan Bartlett
5 Andrew Mann
6 Chad Thomas
7 Gethin Williams
8 Ryan Jenkins
Replacements
16 Rhys Francis
17 Luke Garrett
18 Adam Court
19 Curtis Gregory
20 Morgan Thomas
21 Jon Evans
22 Kieran Meek
23 Ryan Davies
Ebbw Vale vs Pontypridd The Scimitar Derby
by Alex Kinsella-Evans
Before training we spoke to head coach Jason Strange Looking back on Saturday’s cup defeat away to RGC, Jason gave full credit to the opposition on the way they played. “ The game was still in the balance with 15 minutes to go, when we conceded an unfortunate try which had an high impact on the match . There was a lot of frustration after and he believes there will be a good response from the team this weekend “ Looking forward to the away game , Pontypridd have come off the back of a good result away to Aberavon. “ Whenever you go to Pontypridd you always expect a competitive match. We will need to produce a good all round team performance full of commitment. Pontypridd are a team like ourselves, they play for each other, have good core values, and are well supported.”
Lets have lots of Ebbw support at the game on Saturday shouting on the Steelmen!
Ebbw Vale Side To Play RGC Away
The Ebbw Vale side to take on RGC away this Saturday in the Welsh premiership Cup is as follows.
TEAM
15 Morgan Richards
14 Carrick McDonough
13 Ethan Phillips
12 Amir Jiwa Walji
11 Ryan Davies
10 Evan Lloyd
9 Jon Evans
1 Luke Garrett
2 Rhys Francis (c)
3 Harry Drane
4 Dylan Bartlett
5 Curtis Gregory
6 Andrew Mann
7 Gethin Williams
8 Chad Thomas
Replacements
16 Joel Harries
17 Dave Whiting
18 Charley Kearns
19 Jakub Maleki
20 Morgan Thomas
21 Matthew Flanagan
22 Kieran Meek
23 Walker Price