Monthly Archives: October 2023
The Steelmen Dig Deep to Win
A last-minute long-distance penalty miss by Bridgend, saw Ebbw win a close fought game by two points on a wet Gwent day.
The home side came out of the blocks quickly. After being awarded consecutive penalties, outside half Evan Lloyd put Ebbw Vale inside Bridgend’s twenty-two. From the lineout, the forwards set up a maul, with co-captain Rhys Francis on hand to touch down within the first ten minutes. Fly half Lloyd was unable to add the extra’s.
However, the away side soon put their first points of the afternoon on the scoreboard, when number ten Luke Price sent the ball through the middle of the uprights after the Steelmen were penalised by referee Jason Bessant.
The Ravens had another opportunity to go in front, when the referee adjudged an Ebbw Vale player had pulled back a Bridgend player off the ball. From by the five-metre line, outside half Price put the kick wide.
Moments later the Steelmen extended their lead. After the away side were penalised for being offside, Ebbw points machine Lloyd successfully slotted the penalty to put his side five points ahead.
With the away side starting to see more of the ball, fly half Price was again on target with his second penalty of the afternoon, after referee Bessant penalised Ebbw Vale for ill-discipline.
On the stroke of half time, the home side were again penalised. From out by the touchline ten metres inside the Ebbw half, outside half Price sent the ball through the posts to give his side a one-point lead going into the interval.
Half Time: Ebbw Vale 8 Bridgend Ravens 9
The Ravens came out for the second half with a point to prove. A clean break through the home side defence in the centre of the pitch saw two players in support. With a draw of full back McDonough and a quick pass to Jordan Collier, resulted in the Bridgend player sliding over the line for the away sides first try of the afternoon. Fly half Price slotted the conversion to put his side eight points ahead.
With both teams conceding possession, Ebbw Vale coach Jason Strange made his sides first changes of the afternoon. Forwards Morgan Davies and Harry Drane replaced fellow props Luke Garrett and Adam Court on the fifty first minute.
On the hour mark the Steelmen were given another opportunity to reduce the deficit. Marksman Lloyd duly obliged from the tee and added three points to the Ebbw Vale scoreline.
With the game entering the final twenty-minutes, Ebbw coach Strange made further changes when Rory Harries replaced Jon Evans and Amir Jiwa-Walji came on for Ryan Davies.
However, the momentum swung on the sixty-eighth minute when Bridgend were reduced to fourteen men. Young Ebbw Vale number eight Owen Conquer ran at the Bridgend defence and was tackled high. Credit to all the medical staff, who were on the scene immediately to see to the youngster. Before play resumed, referee Bessant produced a red card to the Ravens replacement Gareth Harvey for the high tackle. Ebbw replacement Alex Howes, returning to the club from Abergavenny, came on to replace the young number eight.
Ebbw coach Strange continued to make the changes with Kieran Meek replacing Evan Lloyd. With the Steelmen in the ascendancy and the referee awarding penalty after penalty, the away side were reduced to thirteen men on the seventy fourth minute. Replacement prop Alex George receiving the yellow card.
The Steelmen emptied their bench with Curtis Gregory replacing second row Jacub Malecki and hooker Ieuan Morris came on for co-captain Rhys Francis.
The home side continued to show their power up front with referee Bessant awarding penalty after penalty at the scrum on the away sides five metre line. In the closing minutes, a huge effort by the pack at scrum time, saw referee Bessant award a penalty try to Ebbw and produce a further yellow card to Bridgend’s number one Harry Olding, to leave the away side play the final moments with twelve men.
A valiant effort by the Ravens just inside the Ebbw Vale half, saw the forwards go through the phases. Referee Bessant awarded the away side a penalty just inside the Steelmen half. With the last play of the game, replacement fly half Paul Short eyed up the posts. With a huge swing of the boot the ball fell short of the posts to enable the home side to kick the ball into touch and claim a hard fought win.
Full Time: Ebbw Vale 18 Bridgend Ravens 16
After the game we spoke with Ebbw Vale forward Adam Court. Adam acknowledged the performance was not the prettiest and believed it was an ugly win. However, he was pleased the team found a way to win the game. Adam finished by informing the squad know they have to improve if they are to come away from the big game on Thursday against Pontypool with a victory.
Man Of The Match: Owen Conquer
Scorers
Tries: Rhys Francis, Penalty try
Penalties: Evan Lloyd (2)
The Steelmen’s next game is away to Pontypool RFC at Pontypool Park on Thursday 2nd November 2023 in front of the S4C Clic camera’s, with kick off at 7:30pm.
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans
Ebbw Vale vs Bridgend Preview
Ebbw Vale RFC return to league action against Bridgend Ravens on Saturday 28th October at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium with a 2.30pm kick off.
The Steelmen will be looking to extend their recent unbeaten run against the Ravens in what should be a tough encounter at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium.
The Steelmen welcome back Jordan Thomas to the starting XV after a long-term injury layoff and Alex Howes will be looking to make an impact from the bench on his return to the Steelmen.
Before training this week, we spoke with influential scrum-half Jon Evans.
Looking back at the Neath game, Jon said you can never take a five-point victory for granted. The performance was far from perfect but there were a lot of positives to take from it, especially considering there were ten changes made to the team from the starting line-up against Llandovery. He thought the team dominated the majority of the first half, however, he acknowledged the team need to be more clinical in the opposition twenty-two going forward as the missed opportunities may come back to haunt them against other opposition. This is the same for the Bridgend game, the team just need to be more ruthless.
Thinking back to last season, Jon said the team travelled to Bridgend at a time when they were searching for their first win. He believed the team underestimated Bridgend and did not give them the respect they deserved. Jon is confident that will not happen again this year considering Bridgend are a good team with a good coaching set up and recruited well during the summer but the strength in-depth of the Ebbw squad will hopefully see the team push on in the later stages and make it an eighty-minute game.
Jon expects Bridgend to bring a good kicking game as well as set piece, which was something they used to their advantage last season. This year however, the Ebbw pack has improved significantly under forwards coach Aaron Coundley and he imagines the front five will be looking to make amends.
Finally, Jon thinks the team set piece will be a very important part of the game and they also need to manage the first fifteen minutes of it. There have been several games this year where errors in the first quarter have resulted in the team finding themselves behind early on. As a result, the team need to manage this period and limit the number of errors against Bridgend.
Ebbw Vale Team:
- Carrick Mcdonough 14. Ryan Davies 13. Ethan Phillips 12. Dom Franchi 11. Jordan Thomas 10. Evan Lloyd 9 Jon Evans
1.Luke Garrett 2. Rhys Francis (CAPT) 3. Adam Court 4. Dylan Bartlett 5. Jakub Malecki 6. Cameron Regan 7. Lewis Young 8. Owen Conquer
Replacements from…
Ieuan Morris, Morgan Davies, Harry Drane, Curtis Gregory, Alex Howes, Gethin Williams, Rory Harries, Kieran Meek and Amir Jiwa-Walji
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans
TEAM NEWS v Bridgend RAVENS
Jason Strange has made a number of changes to the team for the game against Bridgend Ravens at the CINER GLASS Community Stadium on Saturday.
Rhys Francis returns to the team as captain and there is a welcome return to the starting XV for Jordan Thomas after long term injury. Dom Franchi returns at centre with Evan Lloyd back into the team at 10
Up front, only Cameron Regan and Dylan Bartlett retain their starting positions in the pack from the victory over Neath with exciting, young prospect Owen Conquer returning at Number 8.
Ebbw Vale Team:
- Carrick Mcdonough 14. Ryan Davies 13. Ethan Phillips 12. Dom Franchi 11. Jordan Thomas 10. Evan Lloyd 9 Jon Evans
1.Luke Garrett 2. Rhys Francis (CAPT) 3. Adam Court 4. Dylan Bartlett 5. Jakub Malecki 6. Cameron Regan 7. Lewis Young 8. Owen Conquer
Replacements from…
Ieuan Morris, Morgan Davies, Harry Drane, Curtis Gregory, Alex Howes, Gethin Williams, Rory Harries, Kieran Meek and Amir Jiwa-Walji
Ebbw Vale RFC are pleased to announce the signing of Alex Howes from Abergavenny RFC, where he has been captain for the last two seasons.
Alex, a powerful, ball carrying back row, returns to the Ebbw Vale squad having previously played for the team during the second half of the 21/22 season.
On returning to the Steelmen, Alex said, “I am really excited to be back at Ebbw Vale. I have unfinished business here and I can’t wait to get started.”
Ebbw Continue Their Good Run
Neath RFC 17 Ebbw Vale RFC 35
The Steelmen came away from the Lexton Gnoll with five points, after a scrappy performance saw them score five tries.
The away side came out of the blocks quickly and put Neath under a sustained amount of pressure. With the referee awarding the Steelmen numerous penalties inside the Welsh All Blacks half, a quick bit of thinking by Ebbw Vale scrum half Jon Evans, saw the captain for the day take a quick tap from a penalty in the home side twenty-two and dive over the line to score the games first try of the game. Fly half Kieran Meek added the extras.
The away side kept up the pressure and soon scored their second try of the game. From a penalty in the Neath half, a kick by Ebbw outside half Meek gave the away side a lineout in Neath’s twenty-two. From the lineout, the forwards went through the phases and hooker Ieuan Morris grounded the ball. Number ten Meek was successful with the conversion to put his side fourteen points ahead.
Despite being awarded numerous penalties, Ebbw Vale were unable to take advantage and add to the score.
A lovely 50:22 kick by the Steelmen fullback for the day Carrick McDonough, saw Ebbw Vale apply more pressure to the Neath try line. However, on this occasion the Welsh All Blacks defence held firm.
On their first visit to the away side twenty-two, Neath struck back. A scrum to the home side to the left of the posts saw number six Gethin Tremblett pick up the ball from the scrum and run over unopposed. Flyhalf Steff Williams added the extras.
With the hosts gaining in confidence, further good play saw the referee award the Welsh All Blacks a penalty just inside the Ebbw Vale twenty-two for offside. Outside half Williams was unlucky not to add three points as he hit the post. However, Williams was soon to make amends, when after being awarded another penalty, the number ten successfully added three points to reduce the deficit to four.
No further points were added to the scoreline before half time.
Half Time: Neath 10 Ebbw Vale 14
The home side came out for the second half, looking to continue where they left the first half. A lineout in the Ebbw Vale twenty-two saw the hosts awarded a further penalty. However, after going to the line out, the Steelmen were able to turn the ball over and clear their lines.
After forty-five minutes, Ebbw coach Jason Strange started to ring the changes. Co-Captain Rhys Francis replaced Ieuan Morris and props Luke Garrett and Adam Court came on for Charley Kearns and Owen Hatherill.
Within two minutes off coming on, captain Francis made an instant impact. After kicking to the corner from a penalty in the Neath twenty-two, the Ebbw Vale forwards won the line out and set up a maul for Francis to dive over the line to score his side’s third try of the afternoon. Kieran Meek was again successful with the conversion.
After a further penalty had been awarded to the away side, the referee reduced the Welsh All Blacks to fourteen men, when number eight David Griggs was shown the yellow card.
With the Steelmen forwards having the grit between their teeth, they decided to take a scrum right in front of the posts. A big push by the pack was only stopped by an infringement by the hosts forwards and the referee awarded a penalty try and showed a further yellow card to the home side’s prop Elis Hopkins.
Against the run of play and down to thirteen men, Neath soon struck back. From a scrum just outside the away side’s twenty-two, fly half Steff Williams found a gap in the Ebbw Vale defence and burst through to touch down unopposed. Williams also added the two points.
Further changes were made to the away side line up when Jakub Malecki came on for Curtis Gregory and half backs Roy Harris and Evan Lloyd replaced Jon Evans and Kieran Meek.
The final two changes by Ebbw coach Strange, saw Kobi Rees come on for his debut by replacing Chad Thomas and shortly after Ewan Bowden replaced winger Amir Jiwa Walji.
However, the Steelmen were soon reduced to fourteen men, when after some good play by the Neath backs saw the ball passed to the winger, who was unable to collect the ball. The referee adjudged winger Bowden had pushed the player off the ball and showed the replacement the yellow card.
After a lull in play, the away side stepped it up in the final stages of the match. After winning more penalties in the hosts half, from a line out the ball made its way out to the wing, and hooker Francis was on hand to barge over the line to score his team’s fifth try of the game. Replacement outside half Evan Lloyd sent a superb conversion through the middle of the uprights from the touchline.
Despite the best efforts of both sides, no further points were added to the scoreline.
Full Time: Neath 17 Ebbw Vale 35
Scorers
Tries: Jon Evans, Ieuan Morris, Rhys Francis (2), Penalty try
Conv: Kieran Meek (3), Evan Lloyd (1)
After the game, we caught up with flyhalf Kieran Meek. Kieran acknowledged the game was scrappy at times and the squad wanted a better performance. However, he was happy the team were able to come away from the Gnoll with the bonus point victory. Kieran finished by saying the squad will reassess during training next week and then look forward to the Bridgend game next Saturday.
Ebbw Vale’s next game is home against Bridgend RFC at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium on Saturday 28 October 2023 with a 2:30pm kick off.
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans
Neath vs Ebbw Vale Match Preview
The Steelmen make the journey down the A465 to play Neath at the Lextan Gnoll on Saturday 21st October 2023 at 2:30pm.
During the week, we spoke with forwards coach Aaron Coundley.
Aaron stated the management and squad are excited for the challenge of Neath. They are aware of how tough a visit to the Gnoll will be, but the group are relishing the opportunity to build on last weeks performance.
Aaron acknowledged Neath are a tough team to play, and play hard for the full eighty minutes. The squad know that they will not be able to be complacent otherwise they will be punished. The team require a performance of high standards if they are to come away with the victory.
The mood in camp is good. The squad have worked hard to get Ebbw Vale to the top of the league, however, they remain grounded and determined to keep focused on the task at hand every week. They are not looking too far ahead and are fully focused going into this weekend’s game.
Aaron finished by saying they were really pleased with the performance and win against Llandovery and will look to continue to build on that. The conditions were challenging last week and the pack lead from the front with the scrum and maul continuing to be a good weapon for the team.
Ebbw Vale Team is as follows:
- Carrick Mcdonough 14. Ryan Davies 13. Ethan Phillips 12. Cameron Davies 11. Amir Jiwa-Walji 10. Kieran Meek 9 Jon Evans (Capt)
1.Charley Kearns 2. Ieuan Morris 3. Owen Hatherill 4. Dylan Bartlett 5. Curtis Gregory 6. Cameron Regan 7. Gethin Williams 8. Chad Thomas
Replacements
- Rhys Francis. 17. Luke Garrett. 18. Adam Court 19. Jakub Malecki 20. Kobi Rees 21. Rory Harries 22. Evan Lloyd 23. Ewan Bowden
Travel information
The Addicts bus will be leaving the Welfare at 12.00pm. Return from the Gnoll at 5.30pm.
Address for Neath RFC is: Neath RFC, The Lextan Gnoll, Gnoll Park Road, NEATH, SA11 3BU.
Please note the following road closure for this weekend:
A465 Weekend Closure Cefn Coed to Dowlais, and Pant Road, Dowlais.
A closure of the A465 between Cefn Coed (A470 junction) and Dowlais will take place from 20:00hrs on Friday 20 until 06:00hrs on Monday 23 October 2023.
For the A465 closure the following diversion route will be in place:
Team News v Neath RFC
Jason Strange has made a number of changes to the team for the game against Neath RFC at the Lextan Gnoll on Saturday.
Jon Evans will captain the side with Kieran Meek coming back into the team at number 10. Cameron Davies returns to the side at centre with another academy player, back rower Kobi Rees, coming onto the bench for the first time. Ryan Davies returns on the wing.
Up front there is a complete change in the front row with Charley Kearns, Ieuan Morris and Owen Hatherill coming into the first XV. While Curtis Gregory, Gethin Williams and Chad Thomas also return to the starting lineup. The bench has a 5/3 split with Ewan Bowden also returning to the match day squad
Ebbw Vale RFC:
- Carrick Mcdonough 14. Ryan Davies 13. Ethan Phillips 12. Cameron Davies 11. Amir Jiwa-Walji 10. Kieran Meek 9 Jon Evans (Capt)
1.Charley Kearns 2. Ieuan Morris 3. Owen Hatherill 4. Dylan Bartlett 5. Curtis Gregory 6. Cameron Regan 7. Gethin Williams 8. Chad Thomas
Replacements
- Rhys Francis. 17. Luke Garrett. 18. Adam Court 19. Jakub Malecki 20. Kobi Rees 21. Rory Harries 22. Evan Lloyd 23. Ewan Bowden
Neath RFC v Ebbw Vale RFC
On Saturday 21st October, the Steelmen return to Neath RFC in the Indigo Premiership at the Lextan Gnoll with a 2.30pm kick off. The Steelmen, who moved to the top of the league table following their victory over Llandovery last week, will be looking to make it a 6th win in a row against a tough Neath team, who were highly competitive in the recent Premiership Cup match.
Ebbw Addicts Information
The Addicts will be providing transport to the match against Neath RFC on Saturday and will be leaving the Welfare at 12.00pm. Contact Tracy to book your seats on the bus. (See Addicts page for contact details)
After the match, the Addicts will stay at Neath Rugby Club to enjoy a few drinks before returning to the Welfare at 5.30pm
You can book a breakfast with the Welfare before travelling to the game. Book with the Welfare before the end of Thursday 19th October.
For Ebbw supporters making their own way to the match, the address for Neath RFC is: Neath RFC, The Lextan Gnoll, Gnoll Park Road, NEATH, SA11 3BU.
Ebbw Go Top of the League
The Steelmen forwards laid the foundations for the home side to win 25 – 17 and replace Llandovery at the top of the table in a game that was played in miserable weather conditions.
The start of the game saw both sides try to adapt to the wet weather conditions.
Within ten minutes, Ebbw were awarded a penalty when the referee penalised the away side. The home side outside half Evan Lloyd duly kicked the penalty for the first points of the game.
The Drovers immediately hit back when, from the restart a knock on was collected by one of the home side players in an offside position. Last years league top points scorer Jack Maynard brought the scores level.
From the scrum on the halfway line, the referee awarded the away side with a penalty after an infringement from Ebbw Vale in the scrum. With Llandovery kicking into the home side twenty-two, from the resulting line out, a breakthrough the Steelmen’s defence saw the ball make its way out to Aaron Warren, who crossed for the first try of the game. Maynard was unable to add the two points.
Ebbw’s coach Jason Strange was forced to make an early substitution when young number eight Ryan Jenkins was forced off the pitch due to an injury and replaced by Owen Conquer.
With the home side starting to win the forward battle, the Steelmen were offered an opportunity to reduce the deficit when the Drovers were adjudged to be offside inside their own half. Marksman Lloyd duly kicked the penalty to bring the game to within two points.
A clever high kick by outside half Lloyd led to Llandovery knocking on inside their own half. Ebbw centre Dom Franchi was on hand to take the ball forward and set the forwards up to go through the phases. Quick ball by Jon Evans to Lloyd, saw the outside half take the ball on, draw the defence, feint to pass inside and instead pass the ball out to winger Amir Jiwa-Walji. With a lot to do, the winger showed his pace and strength by bursting through the midfield at an angle, handing of a defender and beating two covering defenders to the line to score a very well taken try. Lloyd was unsuccessful with the conversion.
With the referee penalising the Drovers again, marksman Lloyd superbly kicked the penalty to put the home side three points ahead. The away side were quickly given another opportunity to draw level through a penalty. However, Maynard was uncharacteristically off target with his attempt.
Llandovery were soon level, when from a penalty at a scrum, Maynard was successful with his kick.
Going into the final few minutes of the first half, both sides exchanged penalties, with Ebbw Vale’s Lloyd sending a wonderful kick from the halfway line straight through the posts. The away sides Maynard brought the scores level at half time with a penalty from inside the home side’s twenty-two.
Half Time: Ebbw Vale 14 Llandovery 14
The second half started off in the same fashion as the first half ended. With the Steelmen’s outside half Lloyd kicking through and chasing, the covering defender pulled the number ten back to stop him collecting the ball. From which, the referee awarded Ebbw a penalty. The club’s top scorer Lloyd successfully added the three points to put the home side back in front.
Ebbw Vale were soon reduced to fourteen men, when from a grubber kick in the Llandovery half, the ball bobbled inside the home side’s twenty-two. Full back Morgan Richards collected the ball and threw it back. Attempting to recover the ball on their own try line, the referee adjudged the full back went off his feet to stop Llandovery from obtaining the ball and sent Richards to the sin bin for ten minutes.
With the weather conditions deteriorating, Ebbw coach Strange replaced prop Harry Drane with Adam Court.
Llandovery were once again level when they were awarded a penalty from the lineout. Full back Maynard successfully added the three points.
With the home side forwards starting to go through the gears, the referee showed the Drovers prop Jamie Hughes a yellow card for being offside. Fly half Lloyd uncharacteristically hit the post.
From the rebound, the ball landed in the arms of a Steelmen forward’s arms inside the Drovers twenty-two. However, the ball was knocked on. Prop Morgan Davies was replaced by Luke Garrett and from the resulting scrum, an offence by the away side provided fly half Lloyd with an opportunity to put Ebbw back in front. The number ten duly obliged to make the score 20-17.
The home side were starting to apply the pressure. With the ball at the hands of fly half Lloyd in the centre of the pitch, a well-judged kick, saw the ball bounce into the hands of speedster Carrick McDonough in the Llandovery twenty-two.
As the covering defender approached, the home side winger cleverly put in a soft grubber kick, which the away side covering defence took over the line. A good chase by the home side saw the Drovers dot the ball down, resulting in a scrum to Ebbw Vale.
From the scrum five metres out, a huge push by the Steelmen eight, saw replacement Conquer touch the ball down at the base of the scrum to score his first try for the club. Fly half Lloyd was unable to add the two points.
The home sides final changes saw Kieran Meek replace Evan Lloyd, Ieaun Morris come on for captain Rhys Francis and Gethin Williams replace Cameron Regan.
Despite the best efforts of the away side, the Steelmen’s defence held firm, with no further points being added to the game.
With the away side throwing caution to the wind, a break by the backs from their own twenty-two saw Ebbw scrum half Jon Evans put in a superb cover tackle just inside the Ebbw Vale half. The referee then blew his whistle for full time.
Full Time: Ebbw Vale 25 Llandovery 17
Scorers:
Tries: Amir Jiwa-Walji, Owen Conquer
Penalties: Evan Lloyd (5)
Man Of The Match: Morgan Davies
Seren yr Gem (S4C): Rhys Francis
After the game we spoke with Ebbw Vale prop Luke Garrett. Luke believed it was a good battle between the two sides. He thought Ebbw dug in deep and the side showed their fitness and what they had been working on for the last five months. Luke ended by stating he was happy the team got the win.
The Steelmen are next in action on Saturday 21st October against Neath at the Gnoll
Ebbw Vale vs Llandovery Match Preview
The Steelmen welcome the Drovers to the Ciner Glass Community Stadium in the Indigo Premiership, on Thursday 12th of October at 7:30pm in front of the S4C Clic cameras.
Both of last season’s games were fiercely contested with Llandovery winning them both narrowly.
Ebbw coach Jason Strange will be hoping his team can keep up their recent, good form with a win under the lights.
With it being second verses first in the league, the home side will be looking to put down a marker by beating last year’s champions.
The Steelmen make a few changes to the team that RGC in their last match with Carrick Mcdonough moving onto the wing and Morgan Richards coming back into the team at full back. Dom Franchi returns to the starting lineup at centre.
Up front, the Steelmen name the same eight that started the game against RGC with Jakub Malecki and Dylan Bartlett continuing their partnership in the 2nd row.
Ebbw Vale Team
Backs
- Morgan Richards 14. Carrick Mcdonough 13. Ethan Phillips 12. Dom Franchi 11. Amir Jiwa-Walji 10. Evan Lloyd 9 Jon Evans
Forwards
- Morgan Davies 2. Rhys Francis 3. Harry Drane 4. Dylan Bartlett 5. Jakub Malecki 6. Cameron Regan 7. Lewis Young 8. Ryan Jenkins
Replacements from…
Ieuan Morris, Luke Garrett, Adam Court, Curtis Gregory, Owen Conquer, Rory Harries, Kieran Meek, Gethin Williams, Cameron Davies
Kick off for tomorrow’s match is 7.30pm
Ebbw Keep Their Good Run Going
The home side left it late to obtain a try bonus point win at home to RGC with a 26 points to 10 victory and keep their recent good run of form going.
The Steelmen’s coach Jason Strange made ten changes to the starting fifteen from their last outing in the Premiership Cup game away to Neath, which included giving young centre Cameron Davies his debut.
After a scrappy start to the game, the away side nearly took the lead after the forwards went through the phases, however, winger Sam Stoddard was unable to touch the ball down, when over the line. Moments later, RGC took the lead after the referee penalised the home side at the scrum. Full back Sam Earl-Jones duly put the first three points on the board.
With Ebbw winning the line out in RGC’s half, the ball found its way out to young winger Harry Rees Weldon, who collected the ball and went over the try line to score the Steelmen’s first try of the game. Outside half Evan Lloyd was unsuccessful with the conversion.
The home side were playing on the front foot and only a last-ditch tackle by a covering RGC defence stopped Weldon from adding a second try. Further good play by Ebbw Vale saw the youngster receive the ball, however the ball was knocked on over the try line.
Moments before the break, the Steelmen added to the scoreboard. From a line out in the away side’s half, a thirteen-man maul resulted in co-captain Rhys Francis scoring his sides second try of the afternoon. Fly half Lloyd added the two points to put his side nine in front going into the break.
Half Time: Ebbw Vale 12 RGC 3
The home side came out fired up for the second half and within ten minutes of the second half had scored their third try of the game. From a driving maul, co-captain Francis scored his second try of the afternoon. Lloyd with a superb kick, that went over after hitting the posts, extended the lead to sixteen points.
RGC were reduced to fourteen men for ten minutes after the referee penalised RGC and flanker Charlie Probert was sent to the sin bin.
Ebbw coach Strange started to ring the changes after hard working props Morgan Davies and Harry Drane were replaced by Luke Garrett and Owen Hatherill and Owen Conquer replaced the industrious number eight Ryan Jenkins.
Further good play by Ebbw Vale was only thwarted by some outstanding defence by the away side before coach Strange replaced debutant Cameron Davies with Dominic Franchi, the excellent Rhys Francis with Ieuan Morris, superb second row Jakub Malecki with Curtis Gregory, Kieran Meek came on for influential fly half Evan Lloyd and the superb Jonathan Evans was replaced by Rory Harries.
The away side scored their only try of the game when Sam Earl-Jones kicked through for Dafydd Williams to pick up the ball and touchdown. Earl-Jones added the extras.
With the final play of the game, the Steelmen turned over RGC ball which saw Carrick Mcdonough race down the wing. After lovely link play involving a number of players, replacement scrum half Rory Harries dived over the line to claim the bonus point for the home side. Replacement Kieran Meek successfully kicked the conversion to bring the game to an end.
Full Time: Ebbw Vale 26 RGC 10
Scorers: Tries: Harry Rees-Weldon, Rhys Francis (2), Rory Harries
Cons: Evan Lloyd (2) Kieran Meek (1)
Man of the Match: Jonathan Evans
The Steelmen have a break next weekend before entertaining Llandovery RFC at The Ciner Glass Community Stadium, on Thursday 12th October, in front of the TV Camera in what should be a mouth-watering clash between the top two teams in the current league table. Kick-Off will be 7.30pm
Report by Alex Kinsella-Evans