April | 2025

Ebbw claim another six pointer

A second half hat trick of tries by captain Joe Franchi saw Ebbw Vale claim six points from a game that was still in the balance after 60 minutes.

The Steelmen came out of the blocks slowly against a determined Carmarthen side.

The away side were the first team to put points on the board when Quins outside half Elis Price sent a penalty through the middle of the posts.

After being awarded a penalty around the halfway line, the hosts number ten Evan Lloyd sent the ball into the Quins twenty-two for a lineout to the home side. From the lineout the referee awarded a further penalty which Lloyd again sent to the corner. From the lineout, the home side scored their first try of the afternoon, when from a rolling maul hooker Ieuan Morris crashed over the line to score. Lloyd successfully kicked the conversion.

Ebbw Vale were forced into a first half change when full back Matt Jones was replaced by debutant Gethin O’Callaghan due to injury.

The visitors soon reduced the deficit to one point, when Quins flyhalf Price was successful with another penalty.

With the game approaching half time, Carmarthen retook the lead. Hooker Lewis Morgan scored from close range. Price successfully added the two points.

Half Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 7 Carmarthen Quins RFC 13

During the halftime interval Ebbw coach Jason Strange replaced the front row of Luke Garrett, Ieuan Morris and Adam Court with Morgan Davies, Joe Franchi and Adam Williams, as well as Sion Parry entering the field at seven, at the expense of Kobi Rees.

The Steelmen were reduced to fourteen men when second row Dylan Bartlett was shown a yellow card for an altercation in the lineout.

Further changes to the home side saw the experienced Cameran Regan and Lewis Young come onto the field for Jack Pope and Owen Conquer.

The first points of the second half came when from a lineout inside the away side’s twenty-two, the Ebbw pack set up a driving maul which resulted in hooker Joe Franchi scoring his first try of the game. Lloyd was successful with the conversion to put the hosts a point into the lead.

The Quins soon hit back. After loose play in the middle of the pitch, a kick through saw the visitors centre Jac Howels collect the ball unopposed and score under the posts. Replacement flyhalf Aled Thomas added the extras.

With the Ebbw Vale replacements making an impact, the referee awarded a penalty to the home side. Lloyd kicked to the corner. From the resulting lineout, the forwards set up another rolling maul, which again saw hooker Franchi power his way over the line. Number ten Lloyd added the two points to put Ebbw back in front by a point.

With the hosts scrum starting to win penalties, flyhalf Lloyd sent another penalty to the corner. From the lineout, the forwards further showed their strength by setting up another rolling maul, which finished with Joe Franchi scoring his third try of the game. On this occasion, Lloyd was unable to add the extras.

Not looking to let up, the Steelmen forwards had the grit between their teeth and kept taking it to the visitors. After going through phase after phase inside the Carmarthen twenty-two, second row Curtis Gregory was on hand to touch down. Lloyd sent the conversion through the posts to give Ebbw a thirteen-point lead.

The visitors were reduced to fourteen men for the remainder of the game when the referee sent a player to the sin bin for ill discipline during the hosts try.

Ebbw coach Strange made his teams final change of the afternoon by replacing scrum half Rory Harries with Dan Buffrey.

With the game entering the eightieth minute and a man advantage, the Steelmen were looking to score a final try. With the forwards putting the pressure on the away sides defence, quick ball to centre Cameron Davies, saw the young centre spot space in the Quins defence. At pace, Davies run an excellent line to score the games final try. Lloyd successfully kicked the conversion to bring the game to a close.

Full Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 40 Carmarthen Quins RFC 20

Tries: Ieuan Morris (1), Joe Franchi (3), Curtis Gregory (1), Cameron Davies (1)

Conversions: Evan Lloyd (5)

Man of the Match: Joe Franchi

After the game we spoke with flanker Kobi Rees. Kobi thought the team struggled with the scrum, set piece and discipline during the first half. However, he praised the team for their collective effort to turn it around in the second half.

Ebbw Vale RFC next play away to Gwent rivals Newport RFC at Rodney Parade on Sunday 13^th April 2025, with kick off at 2:30pm.

Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans

Ebbw Vale RFC v Carmarthen Quins

The Steelmen return to action in Super Rygbi Cymru today when they will defend the SRC Challengers Shield against Carmarthen Quins at the CINER GLASS Community Stadium.

This is the 3^rd meeting of the season between the two team with Ebbw Vale winning both previous meetings in Super Rygbi Cymru by 39-11 and the SRC Cup by 24-7.

Jason Strange has announced his starting XV with Ethan Phillips captaining the squad in his first start since returning from injury. Also, after a season affected by illness and injury, Owen Conquer makes a welcome return to the starting XV at number 8. Ieuan Morris continues at hooker with Adam Court coming into the starting lineup at tighthead prop.

The replacements will be announced shortly before kick-off.

The full Ebbw Vale team is as follows

1 Luke Garrett 2 Ieuan Morris 3 Adam Court 4 Dylan Bartlett 5 Curtis Gregory 6 Jack Pope 7 Kobi Rees 8 Owen Conquer

Replacements

TBC before kick off

Match Day Information

Ebbw Vale RFC v Carmarthen Quins

Saturday 5th April

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.

MATCH REPORT – Ebbw Vale RFC 40 Carmarthen Quins 20

Monthly Archives: April 2025