Monthly Archives: September 2024
Ebbw Start the New League With a Bang
Ebbw Vale`s first game in the new Super Rygbi Cymru league ended with the Steelmen collecting a bonus point victory in the September sun.
With the visitors taking the game to the Steelmen from the kick off, within the first few minutes of the game Ebbw Vale had a goal line dropout after full back Hamish Anderson touched down the ball behind the try line.
With Aberavon continuing to dominate territory and possession, the first try of the game soon came to the visitors when outside half Ed Dunford put in a good Crossfield kick for winger Connor Moyse to open the scoring. Flyhalf Dunford missed the conversion. The away side soon added to their advantage when number ten Dunford added a further three points to put his team eight points in front.
Soon Ebbw Vale got themselves onto the scoresheet, as as from a lineout in the Wizards half, an impressive driving maul was finished off by captain Joe Franchi. Last season`s top points scorer Evan Lloyd was unable to add the extra two points.
Straight from the restart. Ebbw Vale`s number eight Lewis Young made an explosive run through various defenders. With scrumhalf Jon Evans on his inside, Young passed the ball to Evans. Using his experience scrumhalf Evans put a clever chip over the covering defenders, only to be denied at the last moment with the referee adjudging the ball to have gone forward.
As the half wore on, the Steelmen`s forwards started to gain the upper hand and after constant pressure in the Aberavon twenty-two, quick ball out to outside centre Ethan Phillips, saw last years player of the season go over unopposed. The conversion by Lloyd went through the uprights.
Just before the half time break, the away side were reduced to fourteen men for ten minutes when front rower Rowan Jenkins was shown the yellow card.
From the resulting penalty Lloyd slotted over his attempt to extend Ebbw Vales lead to seven points at halftime.
Half time: Ebbw Vale RFC 15 Aberavon RFC 8
The second half started as the first ended, with the hosts adding their third try of the afternoon when young flanker Ewan McIntyre burst through a gap to finish off a very good team move. Fly half Lloyd kicked the conversion.
Ten minutes into the 2nd half, Ebbw Vale coach Jason Strange replaced the front row of Luke Garrett, Adam Court and Joe Franchi with Morgan Davies, Adam Williams and Ieuan Morris.
From a lineout in the Wizard`s half, the Steelmen crossed the line again to score a bonus point try. In a powerful rolling maul at the lineout, the ball made its way to outside half Lloyd who found space, drew the defender and passed the ball to winger Ryan Gardner to go over in the corner. Lloyd was unsuccessful with the conversion.
The Steelmen coach Strange made a further change, bringing on centre Cameron Davies on for inside Centre Dom Franchi.
Two quick firer tries by Aberavon’s Connor Moyse and Fullback Scott Delnevo saw the deficit reduced to five points. Further changes by Ebbw Vale saw second row Dylan Bartlett, winger Ewan Bowden and flanker Ben Main be replaced by debutants Jack Pope and Josh Malson with the 3rd change seeing Kobi Rees come on in the back row
With the final play of the game, fullback Hamish Anderson showed a clean pair of heels down the wing to draw the man and pass to the supporting Jon Evans to score his team`s fifth and final try of the game. Lloyd finished the game by converting the conversion.
A hard-fought victory against a very competitive Aberavon team.
Full time: Ebbw Vale RFC 34 Aberavon RFC 22
Man Of The Match: Lewis Young
Tries: Joe Franchi (1), Ethan Phillips (1), Ewan McIntyre (1), Ryan Gardner (1), Jon Evans (1)
Conversions: Evan Lloyd (3) Pens: Evan Lloyd (1)
After the game we spoke with Ebbw Vale fullback Hamish Anderson,
Hamish said he felt the game went really well. He added there are some areas of development that need to be worked on but going to next week the team will look at the clips and correct the mistakes made during the game.
Hamish also said he was really excited to play fullback at this level, having had previous experience of playing the position, although his more natural position is as a winger.
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans
Thursday 19th September
In round 2 of the new Super Rygbi Cymru, TheSteelmen travel to Cardiff RFC on Thursday night for a live game on S4C Clic..
The Addicts are providing transport for the game, leaving the Welfare at 5.15pm and returning straight after the games.
See contact details on the Addicts page on the website to book your seats
Ebbw Vale RFC v Aberavon RFC
It’s the start of a new era in Welsh club rugby as the Steelmen entertain Aberavon RFC in the first round of the inaugural Super Rygbi Cymru competition.
Last season in the Indigo Premiership, both teams claimed 1 victory apiece, with the Steelmen coming out on top 41-8 at the CINER GLASS Community Stadium in April.
Jason Strange has selected a squad full of youth and experience for the opening fixture of the league season. Hamish Anderson starts at full back with Ryan Gardner and Ewan Bowden taking their place on the wing. Upfront, Dylan Bartlett and Curtis Gregory continue their partnership in the 2nd row while talented youngsters Ewan McIntyre and Ben Main join the experienced Lewis Young in the back row. Joe Franchi will continue to captain the squad.
The full Ebbw Vale team is as follows
15 Hamish Anderson 14 Ewan Bowden 13 Ethan Phillips 12 Dom Franchi 11 Ryan Gardner 10 Evan Lloyd 9 Jon Evans
1 Luke Garrett 2 Joe Franchi (CAPT) 3 Adam Court 4 Dylan Bartlett 5 Curtis Gregory 6 Ewan McIntyre 7 Ben Main 8 Lewis Young
Replacements
16 Ieuan Morris 17 Morgan Davies 18 Adam Williams 19 Jack Pope 20 Kobi Rees 21 Rory Harries 22 Josh Malson 23 Cameron Davies
On the new league Dom Franchi commented, “It’s always nice to be at home for the first game of the season. All the teams have strengthened, and it is going to be highly competitive from the first game to the very last.”
Match Day Information
Ebbw Vale RFC v Aberavon RFC
Saturday 14th September
CINER GLASS Community Stadium
Kick off 2.30pm
Sat Nav Postcode: NP23 5AZ
Admission Prices
FULL: £14
CONCESSION: £10
Please note there are no online ticket purchases for this match, however both card and cash payments will be able to be taken at the game.
Season Tickets
Season Tickets can be purchased online and collected at the club before the match on Saturday.
Ebbw Addicts Information
Our next fixture is on Thursday 19th September, when the Steelmen travel to the Arms Park to face Cardiff RFC for a game live on S4C Clic.
The Addicts are looking to provide transport to the above game. Please see the Addicts crew in the club shop on Saturday to book your seats on the bus.
#FeelTheSteel
Ebbw Vale RFC are pleased to announce that Joe Franchi will continue as captain of Ebbw Vale RFC for the 2024/25 season.
Joe, who is closing in on 200 appearances for the Steelmen stated, “As always, it’s a massive honour to captain my hometown club. We’ve got another very competitive squad this year and I’m confident we can build on the two semi-finals from last season and go one better this season.”
#FeelTheSteel
The Steelmen are delighted to announce the coaching setup for the first season of Super Rygbi Cymru.
Jason Strange will continue as head coach of Ebbw Vale RFC, with Steve Lang and Aaron Coundley starting their 3rd season as assistant coaches for the Steelmen.
There is a change at Strength and Conditioning Coach, following Nicky Strange’s decision to step down from the role, with former Steelman and Polish Rugby International Dawid Rubasniak becoming the new S&C coach.
There are also changes to the medical team with Nikki McLaughlin joining as head physio from Merthyr RFC. Nikki will work alongside Alan Hancock. Also joining the team are new physios Imogen McClelland and Gemma Hill.
Rhys Thomas will continue as the club doctor.
Dan Haymond will be the Team Manager for a 3rd season. While Andrew Phillips will continue in his team comms role.
The invaluable backroom staff continue for another season with Ron Taylor remaining as kit manager. The team will be supported on match days and training sessions by Dilwyn Snelgrove and Ashley Margetson throughout the season.
#FeelTheSteel
Ebbw Vale RFC are delighted to announce the signings of outside half Josh Malson and 2nd Row forward Alfred Bateman Lloyd.
Josh joins the Steelmen after appearing for both Newbridge RFC and Pontypool RFC last season. Josh has previously played for Talywain RFC.
On joining the Steelmen, Josh stated, “I’m very grateful to sign for this club with its great history and I’m excited for the year ahead with the boys.”
Also joining the squad is the latest signing from the link up between Christ College, Brecon and the Steelmen. Alfred Bateman Lloyd was part of the college’s first XV last season and also represented Welsh Crawshays.
On signing for the Steelmen, Alfred commented, “I an so excited to be part of this club and step up from youth to men’s rugby.”
#NewSignings #FeelTheSteel
Ebbw Vale RFC recorded their 2nd win of the preseason with a 27 -19 win against Clifton RFC on Saturday.
In what was a good’ physical workout for Jason Strange’s squad, over 30 players took to the field during the match.
The try scorers were: Joe Franchi, Ewan Bowden, Ben Main, Ieuan Morris and Jake Hopkins with a conversion from Josh Malson.
The focus will now turn to preparation for the Steelman’s first game in the new Super Rygbi Cymru which starts on Saturday 14th September with the visit of Aberavon to the CINER GLASS Community Stadium.
#FeelTheSteel