Ebbw claim their first six pointer
The Steelmen successfully defended the SRC Challenger Shield at home against RGC in a game where the bench made the difference in the second half, on another sunny autumn afternoon at the Ciner Glass Community Stadium.
The home side came out of the blocks quickly, with the forwards having the grit between their teeth, typified by number eight Ryan Jenkins using his strength time and time again by getting over the gain line and beating defender after defender. However, despite the forwards using the powerful driving maul on numerous occasions, the hosts were unable to get over the try line.
Against the run of play, the away side took the lead. With the wind behind their backs, an impressive penalty kick from inside the Gogs half by full back Sam Earl-Jones got the scoreboard moving.
Moments later, the away side scored the first try of the afternoon. After a kick into the RGC half, the ball was in the hands of winger Sam Stoddard, who broke through the home defence, kicked the ball and collected it unopposed to score a well taken try. Outside half Billy McBryde added the extras.
Ebbw Vale coach Jason Strange was forced into his first substitution early in the first half when winger Ewan Bowden was replaced by Ieuan Evans.
The visitors widened their lead to thirteen points when from a similar kick to his first one, inside his own half, full back Earl-Jones sent the ball through the middle of the sticks.
After a few penalties, further good work by the Ebbw forwards, saw the pack set up another maul, only for it to be held up on the line.
However, the hosts were soon on the scoreboard. From a five-metre scrum, in front of the away side’s posts, the Steelmen’s number nine Jonathan Evans picked up the ball from the feet of number eight Jenkins, saw the space in defence and went over the try line. Top points scorer Evan Lloyd successfully kicked the conversion to score the final points of the first half.
Half Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 7 RGC 13
With the away side having the ball, an interception from around the halfway line by substitute Ieuan Evans, saw the replacement look likely to score an interception try. However, the covering defence came across to tackle the winger into touch.
Shortly after, the home side were reduced to fourteen men after referee Matthew Leon showed second row Curtis Gregory a yellow card for ill-discipline.
The Gogs took advantage of their numerical advantage when fly half McBryde slotted a penalty over the posts.
Two further changes by Ebbw coach Strange saw props Morgan Davies and Adam Williams be replaced by Luke Garrett and Adam Court.
The hosts first points of the second half came when number ten Lloyd successfully kicked a penalty to reduce the away sides lead to six points.
Mounting concerted pressure in the hosts twenty-two for over five minutes, the RGC forwards battered their way at the try line, only to be stopped time and again by some heroic defending by the home side.
More positive play by the Steelmen’s number eight Jenkins, saw the young number eight carry the ball well, use his strength to shrug off various defenders and gain valuable metres for his side. However, the Steelmen were unable to capitalise on the advantage.
Further changes by Ebbw Vale saw hooker Joe Franchi be replaced by Ieuan Morris and moments later Lewis Young came on for Ryan Jenkins.
With the home sides substitutions making a difference, the Steelmen were awarded a scrum on the visitors five metres. After the Gogs were being penalised at the scrum on numerous occasions, referee Leon showed the away side’s number eighteen Patrick Nelson a yellow card.
After continuing to penalise the away side from the scrum, referee Leon had no alternative but to go under the sticks and award a penalty try to the Steelmen.
The home sides final change of the afternoon saw flanker Kobi Rees come on for Ben Main.
The visitors attempted to play from inside their own half after going behind in the game for the first time. After dropping the ball, home replacement winger Ieuan Evans crossed the line to score his sides third try of the game. Lloyd added the two points.
With the final play of the game and with the Steelmen’s forwards on top, scrum half Jonathan Evans picked up the ball from a ruck inside the away side’s twenty-two. Using his experience and quick thinking, Evans darted through defenders to cross for the bonus point try. Lloyd kicked the conversion with the final kick of the game to extend Ebbw’s lead to fifteen points and earn the Steelmen a further bonus point.
Full Time: Ebbw Vale RFC 31 RGC 16
Tries: Jonathan Evans (2), Ieuan Evans (1), Penalty try (1)
Conversions: Evan Lloyd (3)
Penalty: Evan Lloyd (1)
MOM: Jon Evans
After the game we spoke with Ebbw Vale’s full back Matt Jones. Matt thought Ebbw had a lot of possession in the first half, however, they were unable to convert them into points. Matt paid tribute to RGC saying they came out of the blocks firing and are a physical team and acknowledged the team had to put in an improved performance in the second half to come away with the win.
Pictures courtesy of Ebbw Players
Ebbw Vale’s next game in the league is away to Bridgend RFC at the Dunraven Brewery Field on Saturday 19th October 2024 with kick off at 2:30pm
Written by: Alex Kinsella-Evans
