Monthly Archives: December 2024
Ebbw Go Top
The Steelmen provided a stirring second half performance to keep hold of the SRC Challenger Shield and move top of the league, after a game of two halves.
After early pressure by the home side, an interception on the Cardiff twenty-two by away winger Edmund Anya, saw the winger run the length of the field unopposed to score the games opening try. Number ten Fraser Jones added the two points.
Within five minutes the Rags scored their second try of the afternoon. Good forward play by the visitors, was rewarded by hooker Alun Rees crossing the line. Jones again added the extras.
The away side extended their lead further when referee Ben Connor awarded Cardiff a penalty inside the Ebbw half. Jones sending the kick through the middle of the posts to extend the lead to seventeen points.
The hosts soon got back into the game. Good play by the forwards saw the ball end up in the hands of centre Cameron Davies. With a lot to do, the young centre showed strength to go over the line close to the touchline, despite the efforts of the covering Rags defence. The club’s top points scorer Evan Lloyd was successful with the conversion.
Despite the best efforts of both sides, no further points were added to the scoreboard during the half.
Half Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 7 Cardiff RFC 17
The home side were forced into a change at half time. Winger Ewan Bowden was replaced by Ieuan Evans, due to injury.
Further changes by Ebbw Vale coach Jason Strange saw props Luke Garrett and Adam Court replace Morgan Davies and Adam Williams.
The try of the afternoon came within thirteen minutes of the second half. With the ball on the Ebbw twenty-two, an excellent break by young centre Cameron Davies, saw the Steelman draw the defence and pass to the supporting Rory Harries inside the away side’s half. With defenders closing, the scrum half passed to number eight Ryan Jenkins, who from around the visitors twenty-two, showed his pace to go over under the posts for an excellent team try. Lloyd again added the two points to reduce the deficit to three points.
Within five minutes, Ebbw took the lead for the first time during the afternoon. With the forwards on top, a dominant scrum ended with number eight Jenkins showing his strength to go over the try line, despite the Rags best efforts. However, on this occasion, Lloyd was unable to add the extras.
On the hour mark, Cardiff were reduced to fourteen men, when after a clearing kick, replacement Jarred Williams put in a late hit on outside half Lloyd, which left referee Connor with no other option but to send Williams to the sin bin for ten minutes.
The Steelmen made the most of their numerical advantage with Lloyd adding three points from the tee after referee Connor awarded the home side a penalty.
Moments later, the away side made it a two-point game when Fraser Jones again sent the ball through the uprights after Cardiff were awarded a penalty by referee Connor.
Ebbw Vale coach Strange replaced captain Joe Franchi with Ieuan Morris. Within minutes the home side extended their lead back to five points when Lloyd was again successful with the penalty.
Further changes by Ebbw Vale saw flanker Sion Parry and number eight Ryan Jenkins be replaced by Ben Main and Lewis Young.
Deep into injury time, the Steelmen scored their bonus point try. After sustained pressure by Ebbw Vale in the visitor`s twenty-two, the ball made its way out towards outside half Lloyd, who with a two man overlap decided to go himself and score, despite being tackled by the covering defence. Lloyd added the two points with the final kick of the game.
Ebbw Vale coach Jason Strange will be happy to come away with five points against the then league leaders. Plans now turn to the Gwent derby double header against Pontypool RFC over the Christmas season.
Full Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 32 Cardiff RFC 20
Ebbw Vale MOTM: Cameron Davies
Scorers
Tries: Cameron Davies (1), Ryan Jenkins (2), Evan Lloyd (1)
Conversions: Evan Lloyd (3) Penalties: Evan Lloyd (2)
Congratulations to Morgan Davies for making his 50th appearance for the Steelmen
After the game, we spoke with flanker Sion Parry. Sion was happy with the outcome of the game, although he was frustrated with how the first thirty minutes had panned out, feeling that some calls were going against the team, especially at set piece. However, Sion praised the team for sticking in there and to the game plan and it ended with a worthwhile victory and the team collecting the five points against a good side.
Next up for the Steelmen is the first of a double header away to Pontypool on Saturday 21 December 2024, with kick off at 2:30pm at Pontypool Park.
Pictures courtesy of Ebbw Players
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans
The Steelmen return to action on Saturday in the top of the table clash against Cardiff RFC. The Steelmen’s only defeat of the season came at the Arms Park in Round 2 of Super Rygbi Cymru where Cardiff RFC came out victors by 29-12
The match sees the Steelmen looking to record their 7th victory in a row in Super Rygbi Cymru having remained unbeaten since Round 2.
The match will also see the Steelmen defend the SRC Challengers Shield for the second time.
The match sees Morgan Davies make his 50th appearance for the Steelmen in the front row.
Hamish Anderson returns to the starting lineup on the wing replacing Harry Rees-Weldon who is currently involved in the Wales U20s setup.
Replacements will be announced before kick-off.
Full starting XV:
- Matt James 14. Hamish Anderson 13. Cameron Davies 12. Dom Franchi 11. Ewan Bowden 10. Evan Lloyd 9. Rory Harries 1 Morgan Davies 2. Joe Franchi (C) 3. Adam Williams 4. Dylan Bartlett 5. Curtis Gregory 6. Jack Pope 7. Sion Parry 8. Ryan Jenkins
Replacements: TBC
Match INFORMATION
Ebbw Vale RFC v Cardiff RFC
Saturday 14th December
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.
Club Merchandise
The club merchandise has arrived and will be available to purchase from the club shop from 12.00pm tomorrow (Saturday 14th December)
There is a large assortment of items to be purchased including replica shirts, hoodies, t-shirts and bobble hats.
Ebbw Take a Gripping Victory at St Helens
Ebbw Vale come away from a gusty St Helens with six points in a game where the forwards laid the platform for a dominant performance.
From the kick-off Ebbw Vale had a scrum from a Swansea knock on. From the set piece the referee awarded Ebbw Vale a penalty. After multiple lineouts in the Swansea half, Ebbw Vale scored their first try of the afternoon when hooker Ieuan Morris crashed over the line from the all too familiar rolling maul. Evan Lloyd was unsuccessful with the conversion.
After having some play in the Ebbw Vale half, Flyhalf Josh Philips scored his sides first points of the game from a penalty.
Ebbw Vale hooker Morris scored his second try of the afternoon, again from the rolling maul. Flyhalf Lloyd successfully added the two points.
The All Whites were reduced to fourteen men when number eight Dan Gemine was shown a yellow card for ill-discipline.
With the visitor’s forwards being dominant in the scrum, scrum half Rory Harries touched down from the back of the scrum to score the away side`s third try of the game. Outside half Lloyd was successful with the conversion.
After spending some time with the ball in the Ebbw Vale half, from a lineout inside the Steelmen`s twenty-two saw home hooker Jamie Cox finish off the move to score his side`s first try. Philips added the extras.
Further ill-discipline by the home sides second row Ben Roberts saw him get yellow carded and his side again reduced to fourteen men.
With the forwards having the grit between their teeth, a huge push by the Ebbw pack saw number eight Ryan Jenkins touch the ball down at the base of the scrum for Ebbw Vale`s bonus point try. Lloyd kicked the conversion to extend his team’s lead going into half time.
Halftime: Swansea RFC 10 Ebbw Vale RFC 26
During halftime, Ebbw coach Jason Strange replaced double try scorer Ieuan Morris with Captain Joe Franchi. Further changes moments later by coach Strange, saw props Luke Garrett, Adam Court and Flanker Cameron Regan be replaced by Adam Williams, Morgan Davies and Curtis Gregory.
A third yellow card to the home side saw flanker Geraint Powell spend ten minutes in the sin bin.
Despite the changes, the Ebbw Vale pack remained dominant and after going through the phases in the home sides twenty-two, from the final pick and go Jack Pope crossed the line to score the Steelmen`s fifth try. Lloyd added the extras.
Ebbw Vale`s number eight Ryan Jenkins was then replaced by Lewis Young on approximately the hour mark. Moments later scrumhalf Rory Harries was replaced by Dan Buffrey.
Mid-way through the second half both teams were reduced to fourteen men when Ebbw Vale`s second row Dylan Bartlett and the All-Whites number eighteen Ellis Fackrell were both shown the yellow card for an altercation off the ball.
After spending some time in the Swansea half, the away side`s centre Cameron Davies showed his speed to chop through the defence and score Ebbw’s sixth try of the afternoon. Lloyd kicked the conversion successfully.
Ebbw`s final changes saw Morgan Richards come on to replace number ten Evan Lloyd and Ieaun Evans came on for try scorer Cameron Davies.
With the game becoming disjointed after so many substitutes, Swansea spent time in the Ebbw vale half. From a lineout in the Ebbw twenty-two Swansea scored their second try, when replacement Tom Edwards went over unopposed. Philips was unsuccessful with his conversion attempt.
Playing with confidence the hosts applied pressure to the Steelmen`s line only to be stopped by illegal play. The away side`s Jack Pope spent the remainder of the game in the sin bin.
Credit to Swansea for never giving up. With the final play of the game, the All Whites stretched the visitors defence and scored their third try out wide. Philips`s attempt drifted wide of the posts with the final kick of the game.
Full time: Swansea RFC 20 Ebbw Vale RFC 40
Tries: Ieuan Morris (2), Rory Harries (1), Cameron Davies (1), Ryan Jenkins (1), Jack Pope (1)
Conversions: Evan Lloyd (5)
After the game we spoke to second row Jack Pope. Jack thought it was a very entertaining game and was happy to come away with the win, after travelling down to St Helens. Jack said the team knew they had to challenge Swansea up front, in the lineouts and scrums, which is what they did.
Picture Courtesy of Ebbw Players
Ebbw Vale`s next game is away to Aberavon RFC at The Talbot Athletic Ground on Saturday 7th December 2024. with kick off at 2:30pm
Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans