Match Report – Ebbw Vale RFC 20 Newport RFC 5

Ebbw win televised derby

The Steelmen claimed a bonus point victory over Newport in a game that was played in front of the S4C Clic cameras. The game saw Lewis Young make his 150^th appearance for the club and Morgan Richards on his 50^th.

The away side started the game on the front foot. However, despite being awarded two kickable penalties, the Black and Ambers declined the opportunities and kicked to touch. On both occasions they failed to trouble the scoreboard. With the Ebbw forwards getting on top, referee Keith David awarded the home side a penalty. Ebbw Vale flyhalf Evan Lloyd duly obliged and put his team three points ahead.

Moments later the hosts scored the first try of the game. From a lineout inside the Newport twenty two, the Steelmen forwards, joined by the backs set up a rolling maul. Dylan Bartlett was the final player to score the try. Number ten Lloyd added the extra two points.

After awarding Newport a penalty inside their own half, referee David showed Ebbw captain Joe Franchi a yellow card just before the half time interval.

Half Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 10 Newport RFC 0

The second half started the same way as the first finished with the home side on top. Countless reset scrums on the visitors five metre line finished with Ebbw being awarded another penalty. Lloyd successfully kicked the penalty.

Ebbw Vale coach Jason Strange made his first few changes of the game with Morgan Davies and Adam Court replacing Adam Williams and Luke Garrett. Minutes later captain Joe Franchi was replaced by Ieuan Morris.

Moments later the hosts extended their lead further. A sublime out of the back of the hand pass by Evan Lloyd to Harry Rees-Weldon left the young winger with plenty to do. Slicing through the defence and stepping outside of the covering defender, Rees-Weldon touched down for Ebbw’s second try of the evening. Lloyd successfully added the extras to put the hosts twenty points to the good.

The final changes of the evening for Ebbw saw scrum half Rory Harries replace Gruff Tough, Lewis Young came off for Jacob Hopkins, Sion Parry was replaced by Kobi Rees and Jack Pope came off for Cameron Reagan.

With full time approaching, Newport were awarded a penalty inside the Steelmen’s half. After the forwards went through the phases, Garin Harris used his power to score Newport a solitary try of the game. Outside half Matt O’Brien was unable to convert the conversion.

Full Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 20 Newport RFC 5

Tries: Dylan Bartlett (1), Harry Rees-Weldon (1)

Conversions: Evan Lloyd (2)

Penalties: Evan Lloyd (2)

Ebbw Vale Addicts MOTM: Sion Parry

S4c MOTM: Adam Williams

Ebbw Vale RFC face Newport RFC again next at The Ciner Glass Community Stadium on Saturday 1^st March 2025 in the SRC Cup, with kick off at 2:30pm.

Written by Alex Kinsella-Evans